India, July 27 -- Guru Purnima is one of the most significant occasions in India. It is a day dedicated to expressing gratitude to gurus and teachers who guide people toward wisdom, self-awareness, and inner growth. While books, lectures, and practices all play an important role in spiritual learning, many traditions believe that true transformation often begins through the simple experience of being in the presence of an enlightened teacher. This idea has been at the heart of the guru-disciple tradition for centuries.

In earlier times, it was common for families in India to send their children far from home to live with a guru. The purpose was not only to learn sacred texts or master different subjects but also to observe and experience...