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Step 1
Survey the spiritual studies of Hinduism and Buddhism. Although many feel that a self-improvement book will do the trick, Buddhism and Hinduism are some of the oldest philosophical and spiritual systems in the world. You should know a bit about each system, and something about "sister" systems like Sikhism and Jainism, so you can take your first step in the right direction.
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Step 2
Study the Vedas. The Vedas are the nearly endless orthodox texts of Hinduism. The Vedas contain the first ideas about becoming a guru and many of the seeds of wisdom and teaching which led to the development of Buddhism and the advent of Eastern wise men and spiritual masters.
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Step 3
Decide to devote yourself to Hindu or Buddhist spiritual practice. As much as any other ancient religions, Hinduism and Buddhism prescribe ways of life which help a devotee get closer to a heightened spiritual state. Taking this step require lots of patience and devotion, so be sure of it before you take the plunge.
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Step 4
Find your own guru. Before you can become a guru, you need to be taught by a guru of your own. You can travel to distant locations like India or Nepal to seek out a native guru or you can contact a local Hindu, Buddhist or Hari Krishna cultural center to get information about finding a guru who can start you on the path to becoming a master.
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Step 5
Be prepared to test yourself. A devotee must pass rigorous spiritual tests before being considered a guru. The Maitrayaniya Upanishad, one of the sacred Vedic texts, speaks specifically about the need to test potential gurus for spiritual purity and devotion, so be prepared for a potentially long and difficult testing process before you become a guru.
