The Most Important Spiritual Gurus Of the World

Spiritual gurus have been enlightening and guiding people for centuries and are still inspiring fervor among their followers. The beliefs of the people have been shaped over the years by spiritual innovators who have proven to be an inspiration for them.

The spiritual gurus we are talking about were born as ordinary individuals and remained so until they decided to assume a different role. These individuals are living in different parts of the globe while consistently being on the move to meet and guide their followers. We have compiled for you a list of the most important spiritual gurus of the world who we are certain can provide you the inspiration you need.

[su_quote class=”cust-pagination”]Just as a candle cannot burn without fire, men cannot live without a spiritual life.

~Buddha [/su_quote]

Deepak Chopra

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During the 70s Deepak Chopra began his career as a doctor in Boston. He soon became disenchanted with Western medication and decided to move into the field of alternative medication. After the meeting with the spiritual guru Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, he decided to quit his job to begin the American Association of Ayurvedic medicine before transforming himself as a mind-body-spiritual guru.

The Dalai Lama

The Dalai Lama was the spiritual leader of Tibet and still continues with the position. During the uprising in Tibet in 1959, the Dalai Lama fled to India and denounced the People’s Republic of China while establishing a government in exile for Tibet. He has been traveling the globe speaking about the welfare of the Tibetans, talking about the importance of compression as the source of a happy life, teaching Tibetan Buddhism and was the recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989.

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

Ravi Shankar is the founder of The Art of Living which is aiming to relieve violence and problems within the society and he is frequently referred to as Sri Sri. He is regularly acknowledged by his followers within India and abroad whenever he organizes an open-air meditation day. He is believed to be the fifth most influential spiritual guru from India.

Pope Francis

The Time Magazine named Pope Francis as the person of the year in 2013 for changing the perception of the Catholic church extraordinarily within nine months of assuming office. The magazine further goes on to mention the focus of Pope Francis on compassion along with aura which is not always associated with the highest officials of the church that has given him the role of a rock star. Pope Francis has had a lifetime teaching and leading priests in Latin America which is also the home of the largest share of the Catholics of the world. He has displayed a keen sense of political stability along with the kind of self-effacing humility which is valued highly by Cardinals according to his biographer Sergio Rubin.

Paulo Coelho

During his days as a teenager, Paulo was a rebellious individual who had to be committed to an asylum three times by his parents. He decided to change in his late 30s after a spiritual awakening and went on to author his first orthographical account with the book The Pilgrimage. He authored a second group The Alchemist which was unnoticed during the initial stages but after a few translations went on to become one of the best sellers with over 35 million copies being sold. His books have often been referred to as inspiring and life-changing.

Thich Nhat Hanh

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Thich is a Vietnamese Zen Buddhist monk, teacher, author, poet and a human rights activist. He is acknowledged for the coining of the term Engaged Buddhism in his book in Vietnam Lotus In A Sea of Fire. He is the founder of the PlumVillage which is a Buddhist community living in exile in France where he continues to work to assist political prisoners and the families back in Vietnam and throughout the Third World.

Rhonda Byrne

Rhonda Byrne achieved fame as an Australian TV producer and a writer. Her book The Secret which talks about philosophies that believing will allow you to achieve your dreams and wishes is one which she is acknowledged for. The book has been translated into 40 languages and has sold over 19 million copies worldwide. The popularity of Rhonda increased further after she appeared on the Oprah Winfrey show.

[su_quote class=”cust-pagination”]You have to grow from the inside out. None can teach you, none can make you spiritual. There is no other teacher but your own soul. Swami Vivekananda

~Swami Vivekananda [/su_quote]

The names mentioned are some of the most popular spiritual gurus that are presently being followed by countless people throughout the globe. We are certain you too will find their teachings and books inspiring.