The Spiritual Tradition of Ashrams in India

The first appearance of yoga was through the for of Tantra which was said to be in existence more than 10,000 year ago. Evidence of deities resembling Shiva and Parvati were found in the Indus Valley civilization after archaeologists began to excavate many statues from ancient city soils, proof of the 10,000 year old tradition of yoga and perhaps the emergence of early Hinduism. This was the yoga of the pre-Vedic, pre-Aryan age, in which the top the tradition of yoga and India spirituality flourished throughout various regions of India (although it was not know as India at the time). Shiva, being the essential figure in a majority of these retrieved statutes, suggests that Shiva was the founder and central figure for yogic tradition which was also verified in the later written scriptures such as the Vedas.

In the yogic tradition, Shiva is traditionally considered to be the motif of supreme consciousness. His mate and coexisting force is Shakti (also wife of shiva), who represents supreme knowledge, will and action. Shakti is also accountable for the conception of the universe as she is the acting force within the universe. This force or energy is also known as kundalini shakti, the cosmic force which is dormant within all living beings. Shakti is also regarded as the mother of the entire universe. Her grace and guidance is responsible for the liberation of the soul, releasing the individuals from the bondage of worldly matter. Life and consciousness were said to be imparted to humans through Parvati out of love and compassion for her children. Yoga was a manifestated extension of the Tantric system. Just as Shiva and Shakti are inseparable, so too are tantra and the yogic system.

Tantra is derived from two Sanskrit words, those of tanoti and trayati. Trayati means liberation and Tanoti literally translated as expansion. We can then assume that tantra is the science of expanding the consciousness and liberating the energy known as shakti within the body. Tantra is the way to attain liberation from the bondage is of the world in the physical identification with the body and objects associated with it.

In tantra we pursue the path of liberation by first understanding and gaining insight into the limitations and capacities of the body and mind. After we have understood these limitations, we then begin to explore the expansion of consciousness which eventually leads to the liberation of energy within the body. After we have crossed these various levels the individual consciousness expands and is liberated into the universal consciousness which permeates through the entire universe.

The Yoga of Yore  Surfacing of Ashrams, Yoga Practices, and Written Scriptures

For a long time in history yoga was a secret system with its practices and techniques hidden from public view. In ancient times yoga was an oral tradition Only through the guru disciple relationship maintained at ashrams or spiritual refuges was the teachings of yoga revealed, and only to those who are ready to study the spiritual practices and techniques. This system was very productive and useful as it ensured clear understanding and a strong relationship between the disciple, the guru, and a spiritual teachings. Much importance was given to the personal experience of the yogic system, and the correct path was outlined by the guru who helped remove any confusions or ignorance regarding the spiritual practices and techniques. Only through sincere aspiration would the gurus accept to guide their disciples; disciples who pursued too much intellectual contemplation or were seeking the path of yoga in order to gain boons or powers were denied the teachings and access to the knowledge of yoga.

Latter, the yogic teachings and practices were inscribed or written on parchment to help seel some of the more definitive techniques and philosophies. The first time that yoga was inscribed on paper was within the ancient tantras. Later it was also revealed through the Vedas which were written sometime around 500 BC. Although the Vedas do not give any particular reference to any spiritual practices or techniques, they do denote the system of yoga through metaphors and symbolic representation. It is said that the Vedas were revealed to maharishis and saints who were immersed in a deep yogic state of meditation known as samadhi. Although different in context, Christianity and Hinduism both believe that their texts were guided by the word of God.

It wasn’t until the Upanishads that yoga began to take a definite shape and noticeable form within a written system. The Upanishads contained the essence of the Vedas, revealing the most essential points inscribed in the numerous books that collectively made the Vedas. The Upanishads are said to be the culmination of the Vedas and together they make up the Vedantic tradition.

The next significant texts in the history of yoga was the Patanjali yoga Sutras which are said to have been written in the second century A.D. Patanjali’s yoga sutras formed the raja yoga system, a definite and unified perspective of yoga with references to techniques, philosophy, and spiritual ideals. Patanjali’s yoga sutras are often referred to as the eight fold path of yoga. The eighth sequences consisted of yama(self-restraint), niyama (self observance), asana, pranayama, pratyahara(withdrawal of the senses),dharana (concentration), dhyana (meditation), and samadhi. Whether practiced in sequence or as a complete system, the eight fold path provided a clear perspective of the spiritual path. It also gave an outline for how to accomplish the unification of individual consciousness with the universal cosmos.

Later in the sixth century BC yoga began to adopt the Buddha’s meditation practices as well as the ethical and moral philosophy that later became the outline for Buddhism. Unfortunately this transition and adaptation removed a lot of the preparatory practice that were designed by the yogis to prepare one for meditation practices, many of which are necessary and often times vital to the preliminary preparation for contemplation and concentration.

Yoga philosophy believes that before any meditation practice can be done, the elements of the body and mind must be balanced and in harmony with one another. For this reason Gorakhnath presented an extended series of practices to prepare the body for meditation. These practices were later employed as the hatha yoga system. Later one of the major authorities on hatha yoga composed the hatha yoga pradipikia, a text that is widely used today and is referred to as Light on Yoga.

The Practice of Yoga in the 20th and 21st Century

While the spiritual philosophy and practices of yoga have endorsed a higher order of living and thinking, today yoga has been disseminated for a wide variety of purposes and practices, some spiritual, some not. Although many people practice yoga in order to gain wisdom of the spiritual life, there are also many who utilize yoga in order to aid in the health, fitness, stability, balance, and well-being of the human body, mind, and soul. With modern language in mind, many forms of yoga have emerged including yoga psychology, yoga therapy, yoga fitness, yoga dance, and just about any synergy imaginable, especially those associated with the arts and other forms of self-expression although we have not the time to discuss all of these.

What makes yoga fundamentally one of the most successful systems for human well-being is the fact that yoga practically and systematically works with all the aspects of the human body, mind, emotions, and spirit. Yoga is a holistic principle which seeks to unify the various elements in the body. Once these elements have been balanced, then unification with higher orders can be achieved including that of unification of the human systems (mind/body/spirit), harmony with nature, and merging with the cosmic divine. But these higher orders do not have to be pursued in order for yoga to be useful. Today yoga has successfully been used as an alternative form of therapy for diseases, disorders, and dysfunctions.

Yet this modern development has not prevented or limited the existence of the traditional science of yoga, one which revolves around principles of spirituality and higher goals for human life. Fundamentally, yoga still exists as a science and practice which can be used in order to expand the elements of the human mind, body, and spirit, influencing each of these levels of human existence in order to enhance the quality of life. Ultimately yoga can lead one towards the divine which is also recognized as a sense or being of a universal theme, one in which the infinite elements in the universe are united under one cosmic force and consciousness which are responsible for all of existence.

The modern expression of yoga combined with the ancient traditions of India have led yoga into a new dimension of philosophy, psychology, medicine, therapy, and spiritual science of which all are practiced both domestically in India and nearly all other countries abroad. Yoga is no longer limited by the confines of society and has unfurled itself within a global society in which all individuals can seek refuge under the spiritual order and science of yoga. As people begin to explore the full potential of consciousness, life’s fundamental purpose is revealed and our true nature is expressed in its fullest form. Although Indian’s have benefited from the science of yoga for nearly 10,000 years, yoga is now making its way into the daily lives of people all over the globe. Whether it is introduced as a medicinal practice or a technique for building muscles and agility, yoga eventually carries each individual towards the higher goals that are embedded in the practices and techniques outlined by the yogic science.

Ashram Recommendations

These are our top recommendations for Ashrams in India which are based upon a collection of personal surveys from friends, family, and peers who have journeyed to India in search of Enriched Living and maybe even Spiritual Enlightenments.  Our selections are based upon three factors: spiritual vibrancy, community, and teachings/values.

The Tureya Ashram

The Tureya Ashram (www.tureya.com) is an innovative yet non-commercial center for spirituality in southern India. Located in the picturesque mountains of Kodaikanal in a remote valley well removed from city-life, the Tureya Ashram limits the number of students each session to around 15. This intimate and interpersonal environment is a top choice for people who are looking for individual guidance supported by a lot of freedom for personal space and independence.  Classes are non-dogmatic in nature and the structure is fairly unique in its spontaneity to adjust to the students at the ashram. Another valuable feature of this ashram is the availability of Swami Tureyananda who is always involved with the students and offers personal guidance upon request from sincere individuals. But accommodations are usually difficult to get, so if you want to join this ashram it is better to register a good time in advance.

Auroville

Some people prefer independence over having a guru or teacher to guide them. If you are not looking for one specific teacher or prefer a more community-based style of spirituality where everyone shares the role of “teacher” than Auroville (http://www.auroville.org/) is the place for you! At Auroville community living is elevated to a high level; here it is very easy to meet life-long friends who share the same values and beliefs about life and the world as you. The large campus in the plains of southern India is open making it easy to venture off to have some time alone. If you are every lost in India and do not have a place to stay look no further than Auroville because you will always have a supportive place to reflect and share life with others.

Sivananda Ashram (Rishikesh)

Swami Sivananda is no longer on this earth in physical form, but his teachings still remain some of the most valued lessons on Indian spirituality in the last century. His ashram (http://www.sivanandaonline.org/) was one of the first in this once quite town of Rishikesh which has now become one of the capitals of spiritual-tourism in India. Unshaken by the sudden popularization of the area, the Sivananda Ashram still has Swami Sivananda’s old kutir in which he spent much of his glorious later years of as teacher and leader of the Divine Life Society. Today the ashram still hold meditation, kirtan, satsang, and other activities which make it a wonderful place to visit, and best of all its borders kiss the edge of Mother Ganga.

S-VYASA Yoga University

A few of our friends have taken extended courses at the S-Vyasa Yoga University in Bangalore (http://www.svyasa.org/). It is indeed more of a University than an ashram, but it still remains a valued place of learning for those who are pursuing higher degrees from an Eastern Tradition of Philosophy and Spirituality. The University is a large institute with sometimes thousands of students which would not make it a good place for someone looking for independence and freedom, but it is on the list of places to consider if you would like to have a formalized structure for learning about the philosophy and practice of yoga.