Life in an Ashram

Ashrams have their origins in Ancient India where students stayed with their guru in sylvan but spartan surroundings learning spiritual and worldly knowledge. In modern world, the ashrams have become a refuge from the collective madness of the world - where money, power and sensual enjoyments take precedence over everything - to the extent that man is losing his humanity in the process.

Ashrams provide a spiritual retreat where a person can be insulated from the influences of the external world and live a life of self-introspection for a few days/weeks. It gives an opportunity to meditate and absorb oneself in subtle spiritual condition. However, staying in an ashram doesn't that one sits with eyes closed all the time. One needs to also participate in the daily sustaining activities of the ashram life.

Thus, the ashram life is also a community life where one learns to share the space and work together harmoniously. It provides an training ground of how a person must normally live life in the outside world as well.

It is important to understand that the environment of the ashram is shaped by its occupants.

Here's a video clip of life in SRCM Ashram at Babuji Memorial Ashram in Manapakkam.