WHAT IS AN ASHRAM?
Since ancient times, the Sanskrit word ashram has been used to name the place where the Guru lives. As the Guru is ever generous, a overflowing fountain of grace and the source of the most powerful teachings, the meaning of the word ashram also incorporates the organization that supports the teachings and practices.
In this way, Svaroopa® Vidya Ashram has three primary activities and locations:
| 1. This website is the Ashram, which we call our "virtual Ashram." We are committed to serving you with online services and programs through electronic media, which is an expression of Swami Nirmalananda's love and generosity to all. 2. Our public programs are held at our second location, Downingtown Yoga & Meditation Center, with new photos to the right. We offer free satsangs and chants, meditation courses with Swami Nirmalananda, and Svaroopa® yoga courses entitled Yoga 101, Yoga 102, etc. 3. Our first building, opened with great joy in September 2010 is the Ashram because it is Swami Nirmalananda's home. Though you are not living there with her, Swamiji would like for you to feel at home here, so she writes to share regular reports and posts recent photos of the interior [click here]. Swamiji loves to host friends and family members for gatherings and social events, while all formal programs are held at DYMC (#2 above). She loves to see friends who are traveling in the local area, whether at a public program or sharing a meal. In these three locations, and in many ways, we are able to provide you with comprehensive services, as per the ancient yogic tradition. |
In addition, tradition allows for a swami to live in the Ashram alone or to share their home with others. Swamiji is delighted share her home with a small group of deeply committed Svaroopis. You don't need to be sharing Swamiji's home with her in order to participate in in Svaroopa® Vidya Ashram. Your participation through our virtual Ashram provides the structure and support that makes her able to provide teachings to all of us.
The word ashram means “free from worldly fatigue.” The “a” at the beginning is a prefix that negates the word that follows: “shrama” means worldly fatigue, the bone-wearying fatigue that comes from chasing around the world to try to find happiness and fulfillment. When you retreat to an ashram, you are taking a time out from worldly pursuits, in order to rediscover your own divine essence – so that your own essence fills you completely! Your retreat may be 30 minutes of listening to one of our online audio recordings, or participating in a phone satsang with Swamiji - or it might be in one of our retreats or trainings lasting 5-10 days or in our Year-Long Study Programme.
Yogis have lived in ashrams for thousands of years. Though a few yogis do go to meditate in forests and caves, they are actually sent there only for a short time, to do the concentrated practices they had been learning in the ashram. The community has always supported the yogis. This is how yoga has survived throughout the millennia, with the Gurus living with and available to the whole community and supporting them in the midst of their lives.
Keep an eye on our Calendar for ever-expanding opportunities to study with Swamiji!
Click here for Ashram FAQs.
OM svaroopa svasvabhavah namo namah
Downingtown Yoga & Meditation Center Photos, March 2011
Here's how it looks from the street.
The driveway is on the left, with a parking lot in the back.
From the parking lot, come up the ramp to our door (also on the left, in this picture)
Below: photos of the inside of the classroom -
Our reception area, outside our yoga therapy room:
Our Amaya Yoga Products store, with lots of goodies from Swami Nirmalananda's recent trip to India:
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Pujas with murtis (sanctified statues) in the classroom:
Nataraja
the dancing Shiva, dancing the world into existence
Saraswati
the goddess of wisdom & music
Swami Nirmalananda is a member of the Saraswati order of monks, a teaching order, who dedicate themselves to serving Saraswati.
We hope you enjoyed this little tour of our new facility, and can visit us soon. Our meditation programs are listed on the Calendar page as well as on the DYMC website - www.downingtownyoga.org.
To arrange a visit at any time, please contact our teaching and support staff at info@downingtownyoga.org. We are happy to host you for a tour and a cup of tea.