If you are a spiritual seeker, you don’t want to miss out on the experience of living inside a ashram. It is a place where various spiritual practices are taught and in which the students live with the teachers. It works as a great spiritual community where you can retreat in search of inner peace, self-knowledge and the integration of body, mind and soul.
The ashram is the home of the guru (enlightened master) and his followers retreat there so they can absorb his knowledge. In India, life in these places involves immerse yourself in yoga philosophy according to the tradition of each master.
The ashram is usually in a place surrounded by nature, where daily life is easy to focus on the practices of meditation, devotion, and the study of Hindu philosophy. In exchange for the study, each participant performs volunteer work, contributes their gifts and qualities to improve the center and a donation to support expenses.
In addition, life there requires discipline and commitment to comply with certain rules, such as respecting the schedule of activities and a vegetarian diet. Everything is oriented to spiritual development.
TOP 5 MOST POPULAR ASHRAMS IN INDIA
In the ashrams anyone is welcome, even if he is not a follower of the guru. Each center is different, that’s why it is best to choose according to your affinities.
1. The art of living
Founded in 1982 by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, this ashram is located in Bangalore. You can withdraw here if you want to take any of his many courses, breathing techniques, yoga practices as well as learn directly from the guru.
2. Mata Amritanandamayi
In Kerala, there is the ashram of Amma, the guru known as “the mother of all”. Here you can learn their specific meditation and breathing techniques and participate in daily meditations and prayers. If Amma is in the center you can be a part of her audience and receive her blessing, which is through a hug.
2.Isha Foundation
Founded in 1992 by Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev, this ashram is located at the foot of the Velliangiri Mountains in Tamil Nadu. You can take an introductory program of three to seven days for a deep transformation, as well as advanced meditation programs, hatha yoga classes and retreats based on Ayurveda philosophy.
3. Ramakrishna
This ashram follows the teachings of Sri Ramakrishna and was founded by his disciple Swami Vivekananda in 1897. It is located in Belur Math, near Kolkata and is ideal if you want to immerse yourself in Vedanta philosophy, participate in festivals, retreats and spiritual classes.
4.Iskcon
This spiritual center belongs to the movement known as Hare Krishna and is located in Mayapur, West Bengal. Among the daily activities that take place there are the classes of the Bhagavad Gitathe sacred Hindu text.