As a practicing Catholic, I can appreciate the views you expressed here although I never really felt the same pressure to adhere to specifics of the religious rituals in order to achieve salvation. I may be the exception, but I have always regarded priests and teachers in the church as humans with no greater amount of divinity than that of my own. In that aspect, I suppose that I have always considered myself my own guru. I listen to the teachings of the church and interpret them based on my own ability to understand the message. The church could never make me do anything that would go against that interpretation nor could it ever stunt my growth. Each of us has to take responsibility for our own actions and understanding. Yes, we must be our own guru. Thanks for the thought provoking post.
I'm glad to hear that not everyone has the same experience with the Catholic church. We do all have to be our own guru in the end though, or else we're just being manipulated by someone else.