I have been thinking about writing this post for a while, because I have *some* experience of staying long-term in an ashram (only a year, but I had gone without an end-time in mind so I kind of stayed there like a long-term resident). Moreover, I have known many people closely who chose to stay in the ashram for a few years and then out and then in and so on. There are a few aspects that I think are affected by staying inside the ashram v/s outside it for our spiritual sadhana.

[For the short summary, scroll to the bottom of the post]

Currently, I am back at Isha Yoga Center after many years. Only yesterday someone who I had just met was telling me to come to the ashram full time. I don’t think such a conversation over here is commonplace, but I don’t know, it’s quite possible that a lot of people here know my past history and so might not be broaching this. But anyway, here are a few salient aspects that matter when it comes to staying inside the ashram v/s outside.

Reliance & Dependence on a Specific External Support

Inevitably for people within the ashram there is some dependence on a SPECIFIC external support like a particular temple or sathsang session or some such. Like when I spoke to a friend who is a full time teacher here at Isha, she said that often she feels flustered or exasperated with the work but then when she spends an hour or so in the temple, then she is back to her normal self again. This felt odd to me because as someone who isn’t around a particular ashram for very long, I don’t have any such SPECIFIC place to depend on.

I do depend on supports like my sadhana practices, this blog writing activity, reading books, chanting or some other activity – but I can do these things anywhere. These are activities I do. So I only have to manage my time and resources. I don’t have to deal with any specific external agency for it.

This kind of reliance on a specific external support structure is a major difference between people who stay in the ashram v/s the ones who are outside. And if we interact more, this difference makes its presence felt in conversations, daily routines, expectations and generally in how life choices are made.

At the end of day, however, whether one is attached, dependent, totally immersed into any external support – the spiritual growth happens only within us. 

External Standards for Spiritual Sadhana

Depending on the particular ashram, there are inevitable external standards that start coming your way. For example, in Isha it would be whether we wake up at 5.30 am and attend the Guru Pooja. Or in Ramanasramam people would ask each other how many hours of formal sadhana practices we are able to put in. It really depends. And within each place it would depend on how much these standards are imposed on you. For example, for a full-time volunteer the expectations would be more but from a bhramachari even higher. But sometimes it is also possible to do our own thing and find our own kind of people in the place and not bother with these standards. But at least at some basic expectations one needs to adhere.

When one is outside on the other hand, depending on whether you have a group of sadhaka friends or some other external support, you might not have any standards at all. For example, most places that I frequent, I am usually the most hardcore sadhaka around. But if I am here at Isha Yoga Center then I start wondering because I hardly wake up on time, nor am I doing that much practices. So I start wondering about my sadhana.

Though at the end of day, I don’t think these physical parameters truly measure our spiritual growth. They could be indicative at best. But still at an individual level we would need some measurement in place.

Here’s my measurement process to evaluate How I am doing overall.

Too many sadhakas I come across outside make me wonder as to what exact sadhana is going on for them? It seems they may have just chosen a more conflict-free life by reducing their external work and social engagements. But beyond that, what? On the other hand, inside the ashram, I may wonder what all the rigorous sadhana is getting these people who still end up doing all sorts of bundle stuff.

Depending on the ashram if the Guru is alive, then there is the matter of him commenting on some specific people and their sadhana or him setting a specific standard. Which adds a different level of thought process to this aspect. Even in a place like Ramanasramam where the Guru is no more, the core group of the organization may recognize some people as more genuine sadhakas versus others. So that is another impact.

At the end of day, from what I have seen, evaluating actual spiritual growth is tricky even with the Guru’s direct guidance

Personal Life & Individual Gain

One of the biggest beatings taken by us when we shift into the ashram is regards our Personal Life and Individual Gains. Our career, social life, city habits, entertainment choices – it all takes a huge beating. And what are we replacing all that with? Some kind of sadhana. And so eventually our sadhana has to be very strong for us to last. However…….

Firstly, a lot of people don’t necessarily have much of a life outside and so when they work at an ashram the life may be as exciting or more. Especially, a place like Isha Foundation which may be global in nature with huge media teams and celebrities involved and all that. Even in Ramanasramam, there is an international community. And the aesthetics of the place could appeal to someone working in a 9 to 5 uninteresting city job. So my point is, depending on the person and their life situation, it may not necessarily be a huge downgrade.

Secondly, despite the initial hit that we all take when we shift to the ashram, a lot of people may curry favour with the admin, get hierarchical power, find a clique and other same old perks of the outside social life.

On the other hand, the sadhakas living outside the ashram – they may often forego career increments and other social perks for a simpler life which allows them time for their spiritual practices. So how does it compare?

At the end of day the question is about – does deeper sadhana fulfil our psychological needs?

Joining the Sangha v/s Undercover Yogi

The person who was advising me to shift to the ashram had one main reason – he said that I should help the Guru out when I am in my prime. Why wait till old age? I understand, joining the Sangha allows us to take the movement to more people in the world. I do feel it improves our overall footprint in the world.

But one can’t lower the value of an ‘Undercover Yogi’ a term coined by Sadhguru, which I love. In ancient India the stories talk of any random person being enlightened – a flower seller, the sweeper, the wanderer and so on. I love the idea. And one can’t really compare who would provide more value in the world – the monk or the undercover yogi.

At the end of day, we gotta get enlightened. Yogartova, Bhogartova.

The genuine spiritual seeker or enlightened being is of immense value wherever they choose to contribute. Because they will make their presence felt and be a light to the world.

Group Behaviour

I think one of the key impact lies in following group behaviour. Inevitably we start acting like the people around us. And so sant sangati has been considered paramount for spiritual sadhakas. But then, if the sadhana is a consequence of following group behaviour, does it really work? Are we consciously choosing the sadhana or just doing it as routine? Especially in religious circles we see that people are doing their sadhana as a competitive or social activity.

Being outside, I remember many situations where I have totally stuck out because I sit down and meditate before an office booze party (where I also didn’t drink or consume sugary drinks). Or I woke up an hour early everyday during a tough cycling event because I had to do my yoga practices.

For people who may have chosen to live in the ashram early on in their seeking, they might not experience such socially non-conducive situations. This is why a lot of ashram authorities in best interest throw challenges and problems at residents. So that they get better rooted in their sadhana. But then these kind of made up challenges might not be everyone’s cup of tea because it easily gets mixed up with internal politics and what not.

A lot of people would say that instead of facing these inside-the-ashram problems I would rather choose outside-the-ashram problems. (or vice versa). Problems are everywhere.

Having said that the determination to do my practices wherever and in whatever situation has come from the time spent at the ashram. I have also seen other much more dedicated sadhakas and monks who spent many years at the ashram and then left. And for many years even outside the ashram their core sadhana practices continue because they are deeply established.

So my overall understanding is that at some point of time, a very strong spiritual foundation needs to be built within us. It includes adhering to certain sadhana practices, certain life priorities, conscious choices and in general some inspirational guidance. And usually this foundation is built by spending reasonable amount of time in an ashram.

As a conclusion, hopefully you didn’t expect me to take sides and say a particular situation is better or worse 🙂

I think the exact situation we opt for – staying inside the ashram and then as a bhramachari or full-time or part-time volunteer or even a staff member OR staying outside the ashram and then opting for some external supports as available for us – really depends on a plethora of life situations.

Basically, karma. 😉

In Short:

Whether we are inside the ashram or outside,

1. However impactful our external support maybe spiritual growth happens only within us
2. Evaluating actual spiritual growth is tricky even with the Guru’s direct guidance
3. Sadhana needs to deepen and eventually fulfil our physiological and psychological need
4. The genuine spiritual seeker or enlightened being is of immense value wherever they choose to contribute

A strong spiritual foundation needs to be built within us, usually by spending adequate time at an ashram. It would include adhering to certain daily practices, aligned life priorities, conscious choices and some inspirational guidance.