Simplicity of Being

In most ashrams there is an atmosphere which cultivates a trend toward austerity. This is designed to offer the community members an environment, which is free from distractions of an external nature. There are several reasons why this is seen to be necessary. The primary reason is that whatever you give your attention to grows. If you are constantly placing your attention on external considerations, then your experience of life stays for the most part on the surface. This is one of the basic precepts of karma. As you sow, so shall you reap. This is not a cryptic warning, it is metaphysical law. As the Buddha said “Action and reaction are opposite and equal”. You simply get what you intend. Wherever you place your energy, this is what will be reflected back to you, so consequently if you spend your time immersed in superficial pastimes then you will have a very surface experience of life. Austerity and renunciation are designed to break down the individual’s egoic tendencies so that they are able to drop deeper into Reality and attain realisation of the Truth. It is the ego’s nature to grasp at comfort, to have things be the way that is most comfortable for it, to uphold models of existence, which are bound by external conditions. In this egoic way of life suffering arises when things are not the way that is preferable. By renouncing this egoic path where all happiness is dependant upon external parameters being in their preferable place, one cultivates a sense of being content with the way things are without having to control in order to be happy and enjoy life. True happiness is an inherently radiant state of being which is not dependant on any conditions, therefore by renouncing the need for things to be other than the way they actually are one becomes established in a True state of Being. Renunciates voluntarily abstain from certain comforts in order to become more in touch with and ultimately totally immersed in this True state of Being. External circumstance becomes irrelevant to the one established in Truth. So ashrams in general become sanctuaries where aspirants live free from the toxic influence of external comforts and what are often perceived as distracting factors such as sex, TV, indulgent foods, dressy clothes, gossip, etc.

Unfortunately, some of the drawbacks of this type of set up are that the individual can become dependant on this environment (which is simply a transference and refinement of the neurosis that they entered the ashram to rid themselves of in the first place), and unconsciously cultivate the belief that the superficial world and the inner world are separate, which they are not. So what is the true path of renunciation, and how do we avoid these pitfalls whilst maintaining our strong sense of focus?

True and integrated renunciation is not about abstaining from sex, a comfortable bed, delicious food etc, for these are all part of the true expression and enjoyment of life. True renunciation rests in not requiring any external parameters to be in place, renouncing identification with any state of being or mode of existence. Whether being in an ashram or being in the world, the quintessential key is being open and perpetually empty. Engaging fully in and as life as an unlimited, uninhibited, unconditional expression of it. The Shekinashram is founded in order to support each individual to participate fully in life whilst maintaining a direct focus on realisation of the Truth, whilst offering others a reflection which is void of all identification no matter how transcendental. It is a place where renunciation is not encouraged for the sake of it, but rather encourages the individual to be willing to enter into an unconditional relationship to Life itself, where pastimes that are engaged in as an unconscious means to avoid some latent issues are exposed as just that. The individual is encouraged to honestly face whatever it is that is being avoided. There will be no enforced renunciation, though it will be necessary to adhere to some simple codes of conduct within the Ashram as certain behavioural patterns of unconsciousness directly affect others in a detrimental way. All that is required of any individual will be to be conscious, and take responsibility for themselves and the impact that any unconscious behaviour they display may have on others and the surrounding environment. Ideally, through offering an environment which is so powerfully reflective of the Truth, self-destructive habits will simply dissolve away due to their lack of ability to command energy investment.