Guru Purnima, the day of the fullest moon of the year, is dedicated to the Guru. On this day, students honor the Guru and the lineage of Siddhas, and remember all the blessings we have received. It is a day to celebrate the teachings and transformation the Guru offers, and to offer back by refocusing our attention on spiritual practices.

Gurumayi says, "Always, when we talk about the Guru, when we talk about the attainment, it is never on the outside; it is always on the inside. Guru Purnima is such a beautiful example: don't look for the full moon outside. Look for the full moon within yourself." *

On Guru Purnima, any practices we perform – such as meditation, chanting, seva and dakshina - have heightened power and effectiveness. The practices connect us with our inner power of grace and blessings, and we can share that with the world.

Another name for this holiday is Vyasa Purnima. Indian tradition says that Guru Purnima was first celebrated by the disciples of the great sage, Veda Vyasa. Filled with love and gratitude, his disciples longed to make an offering to him, yet they felt there was nothing they could do to repay him for the divine wisdom he had imparted.

The sage compassionately told them to set aside one day each year to honor the Guru with gifts and festivities. “On this day,” he added, “any gift offered to the Guru with love and devotion will reach me.” So they chose the day of the year when the moon is at its fullest to honor the One who gives everything so fully.

*The quotation from Gurumayi comes from her talk about Guru Purnima in DARSHAN magazine #148, See the Moon Within; another beautiful talk about the significance of Guru Purnima is in her book, Remembrance.