Sadhaka Grama Ashram

We were warmly received at the Swami Rama Sadhaka Grama Ashram.  Though we late for the breakfast, they made sure that we got food and our morning cup of tea.  The cottage we were in is simple, practical, amply furnished and has Wi-Fi connection. Ram Prakash, a graduate of Gurukulam School run by the Ashram, gave us a quick overview of what we can expect in the next few days.  The handbook has the general schedule, the dos and don’ts of the Ashram, names of the books recommended for yoga and meditation practices, and the prayers for various occasions in Sanskrit with English transliteration and translation.  Food was strictly vegetarian with only certain spices and without onion and garlic, no coffee and no alcohol. Each guest is provided a bag with a plate, a spoon, a small bowl, and a tumbler, all stainless steel.  After prayers, we stand in line to get our food, and after we eat, we clean our own dishes and keep it in the bag and take it to our cottage.  Tea is served at 6:30 a. m. and 4 p.m.  Most of the guests were from outside India, mainly Europeans, some from the Americas including us.  One of the pictures uploaded is our daily schedule.

At the Ashram they’re very particular about the purpose of doing yoga. Here, it is meant to prepare one for meditation (dhyana in Sanskrit).  At Sadhaka Grama, this Himalayan tradition, which traces its origin to thousands of years back and has been kept alive for its intended use by sages and practitioners of meditation, is strictly followed.  This is a far cry from how yoga is now popularly practiced in many places, as a technique to tone one’s body, even though there is nothing wrong with that.   Our Ashram handbook says, “Regular and systematic practice leads to stronger and more flexible body (muscles, joints, tissues, inner organs) and on a subtler level help us to remove blocks in the energy and mental layers of our being  (products of emotional blocks) so that our body and mind can become still, ready for meditation, for the experience of self.” Susan and I found these practices very helpful.  The key, however, is in forming a habit of doing this regularly and systematically.  And that’s now our challenge.

Susan and I had the rare privilege of meeting with Swami Veda Bharati, the Spiritual Director of the Ashram. When we told him that we are Episcopalians from the US and that I’m a priest there, his interest in us was peaked, and shared with us his knowledge of the great Christian tradition of meditation followed by St. Ignatius.  He said people of different faith come there to develop a deeper appreciation of their own faith and to hone their spiritual experience.  He gave us a few of his guided Christian meditation CDs for us to use in the church. To learn more about this Ashram and about Swami Veda Bharati, please log in at www.ahymsin.org, www.the meditationcenter.org, or www.swamiveda.org.