My guru wall

I wanted to share with you a letter we received from Ode Reader, Jackson Mayes. He took this picture a while back and wanted to share his thoughts on how his wall relates to our article "Fire Your Gurus!" in our November 2007 issue by Tijn Touber.

My subscription to Ode Magazine goes back several years now and I celebrate each issue! I believe that the consciousness raising you and the Ode staff are facilitating is our best hope of surviving and flourishing in the huge transformation that we humans find ourselves undergoing.

My letter today is prompted by your beautiful article “Fire Your Gurus!” (Nov. ’07). I have long held the same beliefs and am delighted to see them so articulately crafted. I attached a copy of a photograph I took a few years ago of a wall in my house I call “my guru wall.” You’ll probably recognize most of them, revered teachers all. But the main point of this creation is that these teachers, at least to my mind, all encourage me to acknowledge the Real guru who shines back at me from the mirror in the center!

I hadn’t planned the “white light” effect, but was awed when I got the photo developed. My main guru is Jesus (after mySelf, of course) because in my fourth time through A Course In Miracles I finally “got it.” He told us “You are the light of the world.” (Matt. 5:14) and I believe him! Thanks Tijn for your further encouragement to believe it.

Thanks too for your mention of Marshall Rosenberg’s work (note giraffe ears at bottom left). He is one of my main “gurus.” Also Don Miguel Ruiz (not on the wall yet) spoke eloquently in The Voice of Knowledge of your wise admonition to let go of “what we are convinced we know.” It’s all about CHANGE (at the top of the wall, my Washington state license plate from 1982 to 1986) and the change I’ve made is from fear to Love.

The wings on the wall are a wooden replica of my “Wings of Gold” which I earned in 1967 as a Designated Naval (Marine) Aviator. After flying 210 combat missions in Vietnam and then suffering from shame, guilt and PTSD for the next 20 years, I carved off the face of shield (symbol of fear/defense) and turned it into a heart. I like too that these wings now resemble very closely the symbol of Sufism.

Please share this photo with whomever you wish, and again, please accept my heartfelt gratitude for your wonderful article.

Sincerely,
Jackson Mayes