[Advaita-l] Importance of Ashram

[Mahesh Ursekar]

Pranams Anuj!

Congrats on ur decision to follow the spiritual path as such a young age!
The mind is sharp and able to absorb new ideas easily. I wish u much success
in ur endeavor.

I didn't read all the posts in this thread but from the little I read, u
seem to have made up ur mind to join the academy. I think it is a wise
decision. I say this having attended lectures by Swamiji's students for the
past one year.

Some ++
a. The ashram has students from all over the world (including students from
the US). It is quite 'modern' in terms of living & food arrangements so u
will not find urself out of place there
b. Swamiji himself has studied in the UK and so is comfortable & conversant
with ideas of the West. In this respect, his teaching is a wonderful blend
of the East & the West
c. His teaching is 100% rational with no element of superstition or
ritualistic leanings or blind beliefs. In fact, I was surprised to note that
there was no temple on the Ashram premises!

Some -- (or are they?)
a. He has been criticised by some ex-students for not teaching books like
the Brahma-sutras. Some of the major books for study at the ashram are:
'Vedanta Treatise', 'Atma Bodha', 'Gita' & 'Choice Upanishads' (all books
written or commented on by Swamiji). I think it will now include 'The fall
of the Human Intellect', his latest book. As far as I am concerned, the BS
is a 'technical' book which would be important for an academic philosopher
but not one who has accepted Advaita Vedanta as the final teaching & wishes
to tread the path towards self-realization through it.

In my brief stay at the Academy, I found it to have a wonderful atmosphere,
condusive to deep contemplation & study. I recommend it whole-heartedly!

Best wishes, Mahesh







On 12/3/07, sivaramakrishnan muthuswamy <muthushiv at yahoo.com> wrote:
>
>
> 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
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