I pretty much grew up in a non-religious household. Religion neither was, nor was not, part of the daily language. As a result, I pretty much found my own path, as a result of watching and listening to others and "checking in" to see what-- if any-- of theirs resonated after "trying it on."
However, I don't reject the external, because someone might have a good idea I can use, and I wouldn't want to close myself off to that possibility. However, I don't believe in Guru's... that's giving someone too much power.
Always liked the word "guru" interpreted as an acronym: "G (Gee) U (You) R (Are) U (You)"
Nice acronym! :)