I have wanted to live and work in the ashram after finishing school, but I have been told I can’t do so until I am 40. I hear that they don’t accept people easily in the Ashram, so I never managed to ask for more information. There were some suggestions that we have to pay money, etc., but I realize that none of this is firsthand information.
If I want to dedicate the rest of my life to service or work in the Ashram from now on or in a few years, how should I approach, and what, perhaps, is the best way to prepare for this?
It is perfectly fine to ask any question here. When someone specifically requests not to put their answer on the website, then we don’t do it. But questions like this one are useful for quite a few people who have similar queries about which, as you yourself have experienced, there is no clear information available.
Joining the Ashram is a personal decision, and it is best made after spending some time working here as a volunteer. This is needed as the Ashram is quite unlike other organisations, including spiritual institutions, firstly because of the goal of progressive spiritual evolution that it places before us, rather than withdrawal from life. Secondly, it is an extremely complex working of forces here, not only because of the very diverse types of humanity represented here, but also because of the pressure of transformation that one experiences here. The key to going through it is a complete faith in the Mother’s Working, a progressive surrender to Her and a growing inner sincerity. Without these three, especially the first two, it becomes increasingly difficult to live here. This is one of the reasons that people are advised to come here after a little experience of life and its usual challenges. However, there is no minimum age limit of 40. The best is to come around 30. There is, however, an unspoken upper age limit of 50 because the idea is not to turn the Ashram into a post-retirement old age home. Because of the different dynamics of this special place, it is best if the person comes and works as a volunteer for a couple of months from time to time before deciding to take the final plunge. The plunge should be taken based on a clear inner calling for the yoga, or else a complete trust in the Mother and an aspiration to serve Her.
There is again no requirement to give money for joining the Ashram. There are, however, two broad categories. One category is of people who have enough savings or a source of income and hence do not wish to depend upon the Ashram for material sustenance. The second type needs the Ashram to sustain them. In either case, it is expected that the person joining the Ashram will be willing to work for about 6 hours a day, generally 6 days a week, in a department that the Ashram’s working committee would send. This is based on a mutual understanding and depends upon the individual’s temperament and the Ashram’s requirements. It may be noted that outer degrees, qualifications, work experience are not necessarily of much consideration except where they are needed for the work.
All the rest unfolds as the journey progresses and the new consciousness begins to emerge out of the old. For those who wish to depend materially upon the Ashram for basic sustenance, it takes about 4 years during which one has to sustain oneself. It is a kind of training and orientation period during which one gets to understand the inner workings, as well as the Ashram gets to see whether you are genuine about coming here, or if it is a kind of escape you are seeking. In the last analysis, however, it is the Divine Grace that arranges everything and those who depend upon Her with complete faith and confidence in Her Grace eventually find the doors open and go through the purifying ordeal and a progressive integration with the New Creation.
Affectionately,
Alok Da
