[Advaita-l] Importance of Ashram

[sivaramakrishnan muthuswamy]

Dear Rameshji,
I am bit puzzled with your advice to Mr.Anuj.  Ashram is a great setting where one can practice spirituality.  That is why Adi Shankaracharya himself set up ashrams at various corners in India.   I am sure Mr.Anuj would have contemplated on choosing a good Ashram as he is 28yrs old.  Infact  in this present yuga, only ashrams can provide proper requisite for sastras prescribed spiritual practice.  Grahasthashram life or living the life of bramachari outside the ashram setting without being watched is dangerous as the progress cannot be watched for.   I consider Ashram's life is drinking nector.  There is no point in watching the nector from outside.  
Even to study Vedanta we need like minded people.  Otherwise why in olden days Gurukul has been created?  Currently we don't have that kind of system.  Ashram offers a great place to study Vedanta under the true guidance of the noble Guru.  The Advaitic knowledge is a transcendental knowledge.  Only a true teacher alone can impart that.  The knowledge outside this system will be only scholarly.  The uselessness of this has been pointed out by Adi Shankaracharya in Baja Govindam.
Having said that, I should say the compassion Rameshji is having for his anuj Mr.Anuj is really huge.  I am sure he really wants his anuj to select an enlightened master so that he is not disappointed.  I completely agree that part. My main objection comes only on his later part of his statement where he suggestes "it
 is better to watch and participate from the outside instead of
 becoming a member.."
Having clear in mind that every event in this world is happening at the will of the lord, I wouldn't worry much about Mr.Anuj's future.  Forgive me Rameshji if my words are not correct.
sincerely yours
Siva Muthuswamy



----- Original Message ----
From: RAMESH RAMANAN <rameshramanan at yahoo.co.uk>
To: A discussion group for Advaita Vedanta <advaita-l at lists.advaita-vedanta.org>
Sent: Monday, December 3, 2007 8:03:33 AM
Subject: Re: [Advaita-l] New member introduction: Anuj


Hi Anuj, welcome to the fold. But before joining any ashram, please
 check out its credentials thoroughly or you will soon be disillusioned. It
 is better to watch and participate from the outside instead of
 becoming a member. Best wishes and love, Ramesh

"Jaldhar H. Vyas" <jaldhar at braincells.com> wrote:  Hello, my name is
 Anuj, I currently live in San Francisco, but am
moving back to India (New Delhi) sometime in the next month after
having spent 10 years here in the US. I am 28 and have decided to
follow my spiritual calling and join an ashram to further my
understanding of Vedanta over the next 3-4 years. I am joining this
group because I would like to read about other's ideas and have a
place to learn from like minded people.

I hope this is all you needed. Oh1 yes, and I agree to the terms and
conditions of this group/website. :)

Namaste,
Anuj
_______________________________________________
Archives: http://lists.advaita-vedanta.org/archives/advaita-l/

To unsubscribe or change your options:
http://lists.advaita-vedanta.org/cgi-bin/listinfo/advaita-l

For assistance, contact:
listmaster at advaita-vedanta.org


       
---------------------------------
 Sent from Yahoo! - the World's favourite mail.
_______________________________________________
Archives: http://lists.advaita-vedanta.org/archives/advaita-l/

To unsubscribe or change your options:
http://lists.advaita-vedanta.org/cgi-bin/listinfo/advaita-l

For assistance, contact:
listmaster at advaita-vedanta.org







      ____________________________________________________________________________________
Never miss a thing.  Make Yahoo your home page. 
http://www.yahoo.com/r/hs