Ashrams | A guide to India's ancient culture
Introduction to Ashram culture
Interwoven in the fabric of Indian culture is the Ashram tradition, one which has guided the philosophical and spiritual construction of India's yogic system. For several millennium ashrams have been pivotal communities for the spiritual life, guiding innumerable souls along the inward journey of spirituality. Today, ashrams still maintain their vital role in the spiritual welfare of human life, only now they are helping people throughout the world. Such ashrams, like the Tureya Foundation in India , have been lifelines for the sprouting of spirituality in our world heritage.
History of ancient India's ashrams
Ashrams have been monumentally significant pieces of the historical architecture of Indian culture and tradition. They have stood as pillars to the wisdom and teachings of India's diverse and rich historical ancestry, and have also made significant contribution to the Indian society as a whole.
Historical, an ashram was a Hindu refuge where saints and Rishis lived in serenity and bliss among nature. Nowadays, the term ashram is commonly used in reference to an united community conceived chiefly for immaterial upliftment of its members, frequently guided by a spiritual teacher, mystic, or saint.
Traditionally, ashrams were settled in remote locations which were from city life and human habitation, often in desolate woodlands or mountainous areas, immersed in a natural environment conducive to spiritual insight, practice, and concentration. Sacred spiritual, psychological, and physical practices (such as pranayama, meditation, asanas, and kriyas), were regularly practiced by the disciples of an ashram. Other renunciations and self restraints, including the Yajnas, yama, niyama, were also maintained by the students and disciples living at the ashram. Numerous Ashrams also functioned as Gurukuls or residential schools for youngsters. The word ashram is derived from the Sanskrit term "aashraya", which is literally translated as security.
Ashrams have drastically altered social and political affairs throughout the history of India, significantly altering and often times improving the quality of spiritual life for the society. Nearly all Hindu barons and kings, up until the medieval ages, were acknowledged to have had a saint or guru who offered advice to the noble family in spiritual affairs or in times of crisis. A worldly king going to his guru's ashram and discovering comfort and peace, is a resonating theme throughout several folktales and fables of historical Indian texts and traditions.
But Ashrams were not always used by those who has spiritual conquests or aspirations to become a saint or sage. Ashrams were also frequented by layemen who sought instruction in some art, especially those in regards to human warfare such as ayurvedic medicine, music, and siddhic healing.
The Modern practice of ancient traditions
Today many ashrams stand which are scattered throughout the whole of India. From the very Southern tip of India all the way up until the snow capped mountains of the Himalayas, ashram still remain an integral part of Indian culture. While there roles have changed, ashram still provide spiritual refuge and retreat for individuals who are seeking the spiritual path outlined by the yogic tradition and philosophy. Although every school has a different system and style of teaching, every ashram offers a opportunity for students to learn more about themselves and the life of spirituality.
Ashram like the Tureya Ashram in Kodaikanal, South India, have started to open courses and residential housing for people of different ethnic , social, religious, and national backgrounds that wish to learn more about their spiritual life and the practice of yoga. Such ashram are still encompassed in the traditional and culture of Indian heritage but also look optimistically on the modern trends of our growing world.
