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Posted on: Nov 02, '08

My experience in Ashram! (Romancing with Nature-3)

One of my friends gave me the address of the Ashram of Sri Ravi Sankar ji. I asked them to accompany me to visit that Ashram. But they laughed and said big NO. Yeah…they were busy in family activities. Here me! OH…I called up my hero (Hubby). He said “Sneha dear…U missed the marriage function. It went wonderful.” I asked “so u and children are coming by the next train.” Hubby’s reply threw me to depression. He said “No Sneha…my management arranged an unexpected meeting at Delhi office. Foreign delegates are visiting our office. I have to show them progress of our company. It may take one week.”
I asked with low voice “Have to reserved tickets for children?”
His reply brought tears. He said “No dear…they wish to spend some more days in granny’s home.”
Meanwhile I heard ringing sound of his second phone (he uses one phone for personal relations and another phone for only office purpose). He said “My boss is online. U take care dear.” He disconnected my line.
I don’t know how long I sat there while tears were rolling on my cheeks.
No body is there in this world that is anxious to see me.
I am only running after them.
They are busy in their own worlds.
No body is there in this world to take care of me.
Suddenly my world of family relations appeared strange.

I heard somewhere that the person who doesn’t have any relation can become a Sanyasi (saint).
So I am eligible for becoming Sanyasini.
Until the phone call I made I had been thinking of just visiting the Ashram. But after phone conversation I took the decision of moving away from all the relations because no one is there to think of me.
Left all my gold items at home. With the dress I was in, I started from home. Threw even the home key into the water tank. Just carried auto charges and reached the Ashram.

When I entered the Ashram, some sort of Bhajan was going on. I sat there and met Sri Ravi Sankar ji after Bhajan was over. I told him my decision to become Sanyasin and stay in the Ashram forever.
He didn’t express any surprising feeling. He was as usual with those peace filled smile.
He smiled and said “OK”
They allotted a room to me.
In that night my tired body fell asleep without any trial.
In the morning I woke up while hearing Bhajans and realized that I was in the Ashram.
Took bath and joined the Bhajan.
They were around ten men and two old women in the Ashram of Sri Ravi Shankar ji.
Almost all men were around 30 in age.
They took few pieces of fruits as breakfast.
I could not understand how it can fill the stomach.
I felt hungry even after eating those few pieces of banana, grapes and coconut.
My routine breakfast flashed in the mind. Yesterday morning I was at home and took four hot idly. In the plate of those four hot idly I poured ghee. On one side of those idly I placed idly powder (it is specially prepared for idly, it is a combination of dal, red mirchi and several other ingredients) and chutney prepared with a combination of coconut and groundnuts. Oh…my mouth watered with hot idly thoughts. It made me feel hungrier. But no one there seems to have that hungry feeling. They were happily involved in their daily routines.

I came out of the main bhajan hall and observed the surroundings.
That small Ashram building covered half of total 500 sq yards land.
They developed a beautiful garden in the remaining half. I don’t mean that it is only flower garden. They planted several vegetable and fruit varieties too.
I observed that all sishyas and swamiji were busily involved in cleaning each plant and pouring water. At the corner of that land I found a well. They were taking water from that well and using it. I didn’t find any tap anywhere. Ravi Shankar ji waved his hand to come near him. When I went there he said these words “Sneha…go and help those boys to take water into kitchen and other rooms.” I nodded my head and reached the well.
One syshya helped me to take a water filled vessel on to my shoulder.
I felt it heavy. Only in childhood I used to carry water like that. For last 25 years I never came across any incident where I had to carry water except those 1litre water bottles.
At home we had water taps in all rooms. One old lady showed me the big containers used for water. Later, believe me, I carried water 25 times inside the building and filled several containers. Other syshyas filled other containers in other rooms. I was exhausted by the time they told me to stop and take rest. That too I was very hungry. I felt severe body aches. Before recovering from those body aches, one syshya came to me and said “Maa...help me in cooking.” I nodded and followed him to kitchen. I saw him carrying several types of vegetables and realized that they were collected from the garden. Two more syshyas were in the kitchen. I sat with those old women and helped them in cutting the vegetables.
When we sat for lunch I was in the state to grab the food and eat.
But they served very little to every one there.
No body seems to be upset with that little amount of food on the plates created by leaves.
All prayed God before taking food.
Even at the prayer time I was unable to concentrate because my full concentration focused on the food in my plate.

After finishing lunch, I reached a neem tree and sat there.
First time a doubt raised in me. “Am I punishing myself by turning to Sanyasin?
I am missing my lazy and lavish life style.”
But immediately my phone conversation with hubby came to my mind.
“No I took a good decision. Why should I live in that bungalow where no one cares me?”
With those thoughts I forgot how long I was there under the neem tree.
Suddenly I felt male presence near me. I know my female mind is very sharp in identifying male presence. In that way it helps every woman to secure from the dangerous men.
With a jerk I opened my eyes and found Sri Ravi Sankar ji staring at me with the same smiling face.
He told me “Sneha…it seems u are upset with Ashram activities. Every person in the Ashram has to perform these activities. If you do not like, you can leave at any time.”
I realized that he had mind reading capabilities.
Immediately I nodded my head side ways and said “No…I wish to continue as Sanyasin.”
He said “OK…God bless you” and went inside the Ashram.
Later evening bhajans started. Several outsiders came to ashram to participate in bhajans.
Next three days passed with more or less similar activities.
I had lost outside world contacts. I left my cell phone at home, so telephonic contacts too.
That cell phone thought turned me upset “By the way who is there in this world to speak to me? Every one is busy in their own worlds.”

On the fourth day Sri Ravi Sankar ji told me this “Pack your luggage. We are moving to another place.”

…………………………………….will be continued in the next blog.

Meanwhile give your opinion on Ashram life and my thought process.
One more thing…give me the genuine answer to this question.
“How come any man ask a woman to pack luggage without getting her opinion on whether she is interested in moving with him or not?”

Sneha

Tags: sneha, ashram

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chandresh6333 said:

November 10, '08

Garret2000 said:
There are a few unanswered queries..
Did the whole ashram move??
Or just you were asked to move??
Do you feel the Ashram decision was correct since you mentioned just one phone call the reason for this decision..??
Wasnt it too hasty a decision??
Didnt you think about whether your children would need you in their future life, afterall you brought them to this world??

Lets see what the next post brings..

Nicely written..

Kudos

Cheers
Garret

PS: Do you get internet in Ashrams??
Hahahahahaha..

November 09, '08

cre8ive27 said:
I agree with spirituals on this ... sansar se bhage firte ho bhagwan ko kya tum paoge?
looks like you have taken a very hasty decision of abandoning the family and going to an Ashram.You have to have utmost faith and be mentally prepared for it only then will you be able to accept the new situation and experience miracles.Gurujee ko hi tum shakk ki nigah se dekhoge to unke izzat kaise karoge?.Its not a resort afterall where you go for a change just to teach ur family a lesson for not missing you n come rushing back.

November 09, '08

Chitrajlp said:
A man cannot ask you and me to pack, just like that. But Sri Sri can. HE has a valid reason for every action or word that he utters! At some point he will teach us why he said that. Finally it is for our benefit! I have experienced! And your expressions "male presence" "dangerous men". It is actually "Divine presence". Sometimes wrong words give wrong meanings. Manisha asking "Is Swamiji a dangerous man?" I coud not digest your words dear. I am sorry if this hurting you. Even if HIS thoughts crosses your mind a positive energy flows into your body, mind and soul. And you put it so simply and unsophisticatedly. Guruji allows every one to speak up their mind. HE knows everything! Anyways I know you are a wonderful soul and my friend. SANGACHATWAM...Let us walk together and work in our own style for Guruji's vision "VASUDEVA KUTUMBAKAM". Keep smiling.

November 09, '08

Chitrajlp said:
When was this stay at Aashram? Did you take up any advance course? How lucky you are!Do you realise? Guruji speaking with you!OMG. I bow to you. Either you must be one of the blessed soul,or you must be a teacher or you must be associated with one of the Corporate concerns of AOL.I have been to Aashram twice. Once for the Finance Facilitator's course representing AP from Vizag & recently for Navratri. I can tell you episodes of miracles which I have been experiencing! I enjoy in the kitchen doing seva.This Navraatri main tho aanand saagar mein puri tharah doob gayi!When I remember my Guru I am awe stricken. If God asks me right now and grants one wish I would say, please transfer my life span to my Pujya Guruji for HE is so concerned about common man and the needy that, in HIS mortal form HE has to live an eternal life! For me HE is KRISHNA! Whatever HE says is Sri Sri Geetha!I don't know. May be you are very closely associated with Guruji!I can only say that we are blessed. Jaigurudev

November 09, '08

LovelyStars said:
Chitra ji...what can say other than bow my head and salute you?

November 09, '08

Chitrajlp said:
Seva, Saadhna and Sathsang keeps your ego levels at the desired levels. My Guruji says "Be your natural self. Nothing is wrong and nothing is right". Read the Seven Spiritual Laws beautifully explained by Guruji. Aggression is the antidote to depression. Wise are those who do not fall for either aggression or for depression. Attachments cause feverish breath and this breath takes away peace of mind. Then we are in pieces and we fall prey to misery. Joy, love and rest are dissolving! Then you feel you are losing your identity. The events come and go. They whither away like dry flowers. But we have used those flowers for some purpose or the other! Be busy like a bee and enjoy the honey from every event. Then move on. (Answer to your last question...please wait)Thanks for the opportunity. Keep smiling.

November 09, '08

Chitrajlp said:
You chose because you had a choice. Once you choose it is up to you. You cannot blame any one else for anything. You have to adjust, adapt and accommodate. This is the natural law. If you don't like you have to quit. Self pity and pensive mood was the cause. Having suddenly decided to go to Aashram you must have prepared yourself for the worst, knowing you, this is one suggestion of mine. Because you felt neglected you wanted to be alone. We think of the Spirit (God) or the spiritual things when we are upset. My Guruji says, on the contrary you think of God when you are happy. Do we? No. We don't hold God responsible for the good that is happening to us, mostly. It is not action that binds but the association of our inner consciousness with the actions of our mind and body. Practice of self-awareness strikes at itand snaps this error of association. Life is for the unfoldment of the Divine perfection in you. Such realisation is bliss, Peace and Eternal life. (more...may I?)

November 09, '08

Chitrajlp said:
Hi. Sneha. I was at the hospital for a minor surgeory. Hence the delay. Interesting post. You know very well that I am associated with AOL. Let me be frank and true. You are fun loving and a very open hearted person. You speak your mind boldly as far as I have perceived. I appreciate.
I have accepted Sri Sri Ravi Shankar as my Master. But let me assure you I am what I am. I am expressing my true feelings. Knowing the Guru is important before accepting. Since 1998 I have been slowly gradually observing, experiencing and still learning !
Now the answers to your questions. Your thought process is yours. Right or wrong. It happens. Most of us are bound to think. Thoughts flow naturally. No one can stop their own thoughts.
According to my Guruji, leaving or running away from responsibilities is not considered as "Sanyas". I am sorry to say this. Half knowledge about anything, for that matter, is dangerous. It can send wrong signals. It was your decision to spend your time in Aashram.

November 09, '08

LovelyStars said:
Thank you friends for those wonderful views.
Here I wish to say "Hats off to NARAYANAN6159".
This is the response I am expecting from my readers.
In this episode, Sneha has not yet become ready to be an Ashramvasi. Her anger and frustration brought her to Ashram. But still she is in thoughts of her family membrs. She has not yet discovered the pleasure in spirituality.
Such persons are unfit for taking Sanyas.

Thanks again friends for those thoughtful views.

Sneha

November 08, '08

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