swami
Eastern spiritual teacher
A swami is a Hindu religious teacher or spiritual master, especially one who has renounced worldly life.
The title derives from a Sanskrit word meaning "master" or "lord." In Western contexts, swami often appears with some irony, suggesting exotic mysticism or dubious spiritual authority: The yoga retreat was led by a self-styled swami from California.
Revered authority figure
- ashramHindu spiritual retreat
- enlightenmentProfound spiritual awakening
- meditationFocused attention practice
- dharmaCosmic moral order
karma · moksha · nirvana · devotee · disciple · vedanta · puja · mantra
Revered authority figure
- preceptorPractical training supervisor
- guideLeader or instruction book
- discipleCommitted follower of teaching
- studentOne formally enrolled somewhere
teachings · wisdom · instruction · initiation · diksha · parampara · lecture · sermon
Formal honorific or name
guru
Revered authority figure
- ashramHindu spiritual retreat
- enlightenmentProfound spiritual awakening
- meditationFocused attention practice
dharma · karma · moksha · nirvana · devotee · disciple · vedanta · puja · mantra · samadhi
guru
Revered authority figure
- preceptorPractical training supervisor
- guideLeader or instruction book
- discipleCommitted follower of teaching
student · teachings · wisdom · instruction · initiation · diksha · parampara · lecture · sermon · discourse
title
Formal honorific or name
feet · honorable · respected · venerable · holy · sacred · master
renunciation
Formal surrender of claim
- celibacyAbstaining from intimate relations
- ochreIron-rich earth pigment
- robesLong loose outer garments
monastery · hermitage · austerity · vow · fasting · simplicity · detachment · solitude · wandering · begging bowl
yoga
Mind-body exercise discipline
kundalini · hatha · raja · mudra · sutra · tantra · ayurveda · prana · breathwork · posture
swamimaterialist
Values physical over spiritual
hedonist · worldling · sensualist · secularist · careerist