Ashram Lifestyle at Home
Is it possible to continue the ashram lifestyle at home?
What is the ashram lifestyle?
The main feature, perhaps, of the ashram lifestyle, is rising early in the morning so that practice of yoga or practice of puja ceremonial worship is done at 4 am. According to the particular practice of the particular sect, there are various activities at the ashram. Some of these are done daily. Some are done on special honorary days for recognized living or deceased teachers and deities.
Right now in the developed countries, most persons who claim to be yoga practitioners never lived in an ashram and have no idea of the lifestyle which is required at such places.
Their concept of yoga is based on attending classes at a studio or hall at their convenience, never having to do the practice at 4 am. Their definition of yoga has to do with asana postures and stress relieve mental maneuvers which give the feel-good I-am-perfect feel.
But is it realistic to ask anyone to rise early so that yoga practice can begin at about 4am?
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How many persons who lived in an ashram where rising early was a mandatory requirement, continued doing so after leaving the ashram?
Natasha Sequeira The reason that they wake at 4 am is because of the worship side. Mantra and prayer to God is considered more powerful at this silent time. When all the energies of people on the planet are silenced, at this early morning time, worship and prayer to a diety is more successful in being heard by the God. Every real yogi knows this. People who go go to a yoga class only but don.t do worship are not the real yogis of the world. Its people that have a complete spiritual life, yoga, mantra, dhyan meditation and puja. Early morning is most powerful to having your prayers heard!
Natasha Sequeira oh and i am not knocking people who go to yoga classes. I.m just saying its alot bigger than that. Exercise is one thing but ritual and worship is much bigger. Hope it helps....
pascal lancien It's a good idea !
Arran Williams The life style of a yogi in an ashram is desired. However one does not need to wake up at 4am to practice yoga to bring that ashram setting into the house or home. One just needs to practice the teachings at what ever time they can to set the energy and have it last. The masters always say adjust, accomodate. This means practice when you can and not to get so hung up over the time and what practice. A second of practice is worth a ton of theory. Get up early if you are able to only then. Be kind to The self and listen to the higher mind at all possible times. Aum Namah sivaya.
Yogarishi Deolal Mahabir Yes Mr. Michael, I sadhana was affected when I came to the US and took quite some time re-establish. I don't know if it voluntary or involuntary, it is rather more a natural rhythm now and it happens at 3 am.
Michael Beloved Yogarishi,
In the West, it is not customary to get up at 3am to do anything unless one has a high paying job which requires that. People who work from 9-5 take it out on weekend when they rise at about 9 or 10 am.
If you are rising naturally at 3am, then that is superhuman or may be that you are being inspired, graced or assisted by some other person who is a great yoga-guru or deity.
The Western concept of ashram is more in line with one response above about no rules such as when you get up or what practices you do.
Overall, I found that in the West there is a discouragement energy which prevails and which one has to continually resist, if one desires to rise early to do any type of spiritual practice or yoga technique.
It is always much easier if the convention supports the habit one desires to establish.