I see the word upayah, "means," in this teaching, which for me makes me think of different ways of performing sadhana. Gurumayi once gave our family a teaching by Baba which included the words, "to receive when the Guru gives."  
 
There are millions of actions which could be performed as self-effort in sadhana. This teaching, "The Guru is the means," reminds me that I benefit the most when I put my time and energy into "receiving what the Guru gives"—like the multitude of teachings and other postings on the Siddha Yoga Path website, the practices Baba and Gurumayi have given us, and the retreats, courses, and satsangs Gurumayi provides.   
 
At times, accepting these gifts almost seems too simple; I think, "Surely to progress in sadhana, I need to do something more difficult than this!" But invariably, when I open myself to accepting what the Guru actually gives,  the effects are mysteriously, easefully, and strongly beneficial.

Washington, USA 

As I visit the website, I am constantly reassured that our hearts are connected. No matter where we are, we are all in the one supreme Heart. Seeing Gururupayah instantly brought me deep inside. 
 
A few days ago, I was repeating, “The Guru is the means,” like a mantra for a long time. That same night, I felt that I wasn't sleeping but was in a very deep, conscious state of meditation. In the morning, I came to the understanding that the Guru's compassionate grace is the means to liberation.
 
Hail to Shri Guru again and again! Thank you for showering us with wisdom and for teaching us how to live a conscious life.

Pune, India

Kundalini danced with joyful recognition upon seeing this Truth:  Gururupayah—”The Guru is the means.”

California, USA

I have read this sutra many times before, with varying degrees of comprehension and connectedness. But when I read it on the Siddha Yoga path website just now, a new light shone forth from it—and I realized just how profound this truth has been in my life.
 
The Guru was the means to bring me and Siddha Yoga together in the first place. The Guru was the means that drew me to Gurudev Siddha Peeth during Baba's last summer on this earth. Year after year, the Guru has been the means to keep me moving forward on the Siddha Yoga path, and to provide just the right situations, companions, and challenges—and the supporting grace— that were needed for my sadhana to advance.
 
And the Guru is the means through which my spiritual education continues to evolve, as I engage with the teachings as they are presented with such creativity and spiritual power on this website.
 
Thank you, Baba and Gurumayi, for making this sutra come true in my life.

Illinois, USA