Sivananda Ashram: The conclusion
Week Four at the Ashram: December 5 – 11
The view from the top of the mountain on a morning mediation walk.
I went to India to learn about a very unique culture and expand my understanding of one of the most historically rich nations in the world. But there were several times during the teachers training course when I had to ask myself why I was there. Alright, after four weeks at the ashram, what sort of lessons did I take home? I’ve recorded plenty of anecdotes that are still fresh in my memory, yeah, but what about when I look back at my India experience as an old man? Which memories will stick with me? What sort experiences and insights will stay deeply impressed? Right now, all I can do is guess, but I suspect the following eleven points will remain with me for the rest of my life—valuable life lessons. As is often the case, many of these lessons weren’t taught out loud to me; I learned them through personal experiences and reflections.
The bus was full so this guy hung on to the side for this trip.
1) Spirituality can’t be taught; it must be experienced: You can read vast amounts of spiritual literature, attend lectures and seminars run by inspiring people but until you put these principles into practice they are just good ideas. We so often read something that causes us to self reflect and identify what we want to change but when it comes to completing the actions that will lead to us living a more inspired life we shy away because of the challenge and the foreign nature and anxiety accompanied by the unknown. However, if we are committed to the spiritual practice and accept the on going challenge we will experience great change.
A candle lit ceremony led by the Swamis.
2) It takes less energy to chant than to sit and feel awkward. Chanting was a big part of the teacher training; several times throughout the day were dedicated to this practice. There were several times when I was tired, bored, or irritated, which made me reluctant to participate. There has always been a part of me that enjoys “rebelling” against any forced activity! However, if I could get over whatever it was that was stopping me from participating and just get into it, my mood and mindset would go from resentful to happy—or at least positively occupied. Yes, I guess sometimes I need to ignore those thoughts that cause me to resist something that has no harmful effect on me and participate with my full energy. Besides, when I am there in that moment, what else am I going to do? Chanting made me recognize the need to improve my attitude, to learn that even if I am doing something that I want to avoid, I should still try my best.
Some of the most friendly people that I met on all of my travels.
3) Meditation is like brushing your teeth. Before humans engaged in this hygiene practice regularly it would have seemed ludicrous to think your teeth are “dirty” and need daily cleaning. But after practicing daily you start to learn how this benefits you and couldn’t imagine not doing it. It would be like walking around with food sticking in your teeth all the time and not noticing. After learning how to clear your mind of the “garbage” daily you realize that just like cleaning your teeth no matter how good you get at it the most important thing is consistency. Just like hygiene, meditation is better 5 minutes a day rather than 1 hour once a week!
4) Hypocrites teach us how not to behave. There are so many people that obviously do not practice what they preach. When confronted by this type of human being it is easy to discount everything they have to say. I think one of the greatest challenges during the course was to learn from people who were hypocritical and if I stopped judging them and learned to reflect on what they were saying with a healthy sense of skepticism I could benefit a lot from their knowledge, and especially about what not to do.
A Satsung with all of the Swamis.
5) Keep yours eyes and heart open to finding your guru. So often we are seeking a specific person to be our teacher, but we can never really find who (or what) we are looking for. But there are so many teachers that do not make themselves obvious. Some of the best teachers that I had at the Ashram were:
– Shanti the Ashram dog who could relax completely on the ground oblivious to the people walking right past him. He showed how its possible to find peace amongst the chaos.
– The cats at the Ashram displayed amazing ability to not develop attachment. They would fully enjoy whoever they were interacting with but as soon as they moved on they were back to fully enjoying there own space.
– Nature and especially the enormous trees. There were giant trees at the Ashram and they reminded me of how important it is if you want to grow in life you need to balance your external development with your internal development. It is so easy to lose focus on the importance of working on internal strength in this society that is focused on image and status.
– The other students in the teacher training course were amazing teachers. The diversity of cultures, languages and personalities present were so motivating to learn how to look at life from different angles. If I was ever having a hard day there were always countless people who would motivate me with their positive attitude and share some words of wisdom on what made them happy and what the course was offering them. It was so motivating to see how people from around the world were dedicated to come together to learn how to live in a way to have a happier and more peaceful state of being.
Enjoying the last day after the test on a boat ride around the lake with two other graduates.
6) Diet is vital for our overall wellbeing: The ashram supplied vegetarian meals, and although this diet taught me plenty, I don’t believe animal-free eating is the answer to healthy living. The most important aspect of healthy eating is being consistently mindful of what we put in our bodies. Where and how was the food produced? Do I enjoy the taste of the food? Does it satisfy me without making me feel sluggish? After a good meal, we should feel energized; but obtaining energy, even if we are eating only healthy food, is impossible when we overeat. Eat mindfully by savoring every bite, and you won’t end the meal feeling bloated. Eating should be enjoyable; turning it into a chore by following a strict diet will only cause anxiety. Nothing should be forbidden. Consume what tastes good to you, and recognize and appreciate the energy it’s giving you.
Khan's cooking class. A must in Varkala.
Easily the best food that I have ever helped create.
7) Don’t take anything personally: Our course at the ashram taught Hindu philosophy and the teachings of the Bhavad Ghita. Some students fretted that these teachings violated their beliefs. If people remember that they are free to reject ideas they don’t accept, they will always be the masters of their minds. We are presented with so many philosophies in life; it’s important for us to step back and assess them in a neutral frame of mind. This attitude will help you keep what works for you and discard what doesn’t. We are constantly evolving—it makes sense that our thoughts and beliefs are evolving, as well
One of the students showing their respect for a Swami and Shambu (he was even more humble than when he was teaching his class).
8) Stay on your mat during asana class—literally and figuratively: During physical practice, it was easy for my minds to wander, focusing on my anxieties rather than the actual poses. Maintaining awareness requires a lot of mental control, but it will ultimately benefit you in all aspects of your life. As you can imagine, nothing is worse than comparing your practice to the person beside you—the person who was born with supple and limber body that makes each pose look effortless. The only real competition in yoga is you against yourself. The sooner you remember this fact, the faster you’ll start winning your battles.
View of the forest from the top of one of the dorms.
9) Life is about the people and relationships you form: All of us took the teachers training course for our own diverse reasons, but we left with shared memories of this awesome, crazy journey.
Everyone was in good spirits for the final supper!
10) Learn to drop your expectations: This course presented a lot of interesting challenges for me. I realized a few days in that I was making this course far more difficult than I needed to, simply because I had preconceived notions on how it should be. As soon as I made a concerted effort to enjoy the course for what it was, every day became more enjoyable. Every moment at the ashram provided a learning opportunity for me—even if all I learned was patience.
Very traditional dresses from the local area.
11) True freedom is only obtained through self-control: I admit that the ashram’s strict rules made me feel like my freedom was revoked. I have never tolerated a strict schedule like the ashram’s (6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.). Everyday I donned the same uniform and ate the same food. What little free time I had was brutally cut short by a piercing bell. We were permitted to leave the grounds for only a few hours; our bedtime was non-negotiable. But I realized that these annoyances were not the biggest restrictions on my freedom. It was actually my inability to control my desires. As human beings, it’s natural for us to have many desires. In fact, we need them to motivate us to eat, sleep, and be productive. Still, if we do not control our desires, they will ultimately control us, entrapping us in a sort of mental prison. “None but ourselves can free our own minds,” as Bob Marley said. In our society, desire for material possessions consumes so many of us. I freely admit that I enjoy material possessions, too, but I now realize that they are useless for my happiness. In fact, I don’t need most of them. Relationships are what count. I love my friends and family, and I definitely missed their presence after I left home. I just needed to remember that everyone is part of the human family, that we can make friends wherever we are, as long as we’re kind and open-minded.
Eating to live rather than living to eat was also a new and important concept for me. I hardly desired the food at the ashram, but as time passed I became grateful for simply having food—food that nourished my body and gave me the energy I needed for productivity.
Finally, celibacy is another important aspect of the ashram. There were hundreds of people enrolled in the course, and I’m sure sexual interest was exchanged between some of them. But if you let this particular distraction take over your life, it can consume your whole being. Learning to control sexual desires by channeling your energy into pure, unconditional love can help us create some of our deepest and most intimate relationships. Humans are animals, but what differentiate us from the rest of the animal kingdom are our cognitive abilities. If we accept the challenge of controlling our desires, we can learn to live a more peaceful and happy life.
The lake across from the Ashram.
Although this course is not what I expected, I’m still grateful I took part in it. I left the ashram with not only new friends, but great memories that will last a lifetime.