By Rob Gold & Swami Nirmalananda
As a not-for-profit organization, the Ashram is committed to offering the teachings free of charge, both in person and through our Virtual Ashram with our website offerings, emailed teachings, phone satsangs, and more. In 2011, we hope to expand our use of technology in order to reach through the wires and wireless connections in a more personal way. In addition, Swamiji will continue to offer the teachings free of charge at our retreats and satsangs throughout 2011.
It is your generosity that makes these free services possible. Our Capital Campaign and the many continuing donations are providing financial support for our fledgling organization, which takes financial pressures off Swamiji and off the Ashram. In addition, many sevites are offering important support that helps keeps our budget low.
Some yogis have been surprised that they must pay a fee for the retreats, given that we are saying they are free. Actually, retreat participants pay no tuition or teaching fees, but they are responsible for their retreat accommodations and meals. The retreat is an immersion, away from the hustle and bustle of traffic and other distractions, held at beautiful retreat centers. The retreat fees you see in our course descriptions is simply for your housing and meals. The Ashram receives no financial support from these programs, nor does Swami Nirmalananda.
In addition, satsangs are in-person or phone events lasting an hour or two, plus the Ashram will be inviting yogis to various social events during the year. There are no room and board costs associated with these events and there is no tuition for any of them. We are committed to providing an extensive calendar of free programming throughout 2011, and are grateful for your loving gifts and continuing support which make this possible.
As long as the Ashram is supported by the community in this way, the teachings can continue to be offered for free. This is consistent with the ancient model from India, where the teachings support the students and the students support the teacher. Donations are gratefully accepted at these and all other programs that Swamiji teaches. All revenue collected goes to support the Ashram and qualifies as a tax-deductible donation. If you would like to make a donation before year-end, which can help you with your 2010 tax return, please contact Hridayaa (Kim) Abplanalp at (610) 644-7555 or go online to our Enrollment System.
Our professional trainings and Year-Long Study Courses do have tuition fees, which cover the higher costs of these programs as well as provide Swamiji with some personal income for her personal finances. Swamiji also continues to be involved with Master Yoga and remains "very much committed to their vision and activities." She will be teaching in some of their courses and professional trainings, working with their Teacher Trainers, traveling to Kripalu and Mt. Madonna to teach as well as offering behind-the-scenes involvement with the organization and staff.
Ashram residents pay their personal rent, like anyone who is renting a room in someone's home. Our residential neighborhood has special zoning considerations that allow this to happen. In addition, we have a few bookstore items, which are handled by an off-site fulfillment house, with a small portion of their sales contributing to the Ashram's budget. Swamiji plans to bring some special items back from India, which will be added to our online shop soon.
In addition, we are committed to continuing our charitable projects. The Ganeshpuri Music School is finishing up its first year soon, and we're planning a new project to begin in early 2011. Swamiji has many plans for expanding the ways in which we serve Svaroopa® yogis as well as the rest of the world. Yogis may make dedicated donations to support these projects, as well as donations to our general fund.
OM svaroopa svasvabhavah namo namah