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| Commitment to Truth Commitment to Truth* basically means wanting Truth more than you want your personal story. Having commitment to Truth means being willing to perpetually surrender, releasing the contraction of self-identification. It means being open, being empty, being courageous and leaping into the mystery in pursuit of that which satisfies beyond imagination. Commitment to Conflict Resolution We learn to embrace challenge when it arises, to be open to it, and rather than assuming that we are always correct, we are receptive to others and willing to earn from them and the play of our interaction. We are committed to being together and to support one another with love. By continually honouring this commitment we earn the trust of one another to be honest and authentic. We are totally committed to being nothing other than Truth so when conflict arises we honour one another by agreeing to meet in love without armour. There is no battle, no one to fight and nothing to fight for. Spiritual Practice Community members are expected to apply some form of daily spiritual practice whether this is coming together for group meditations or applying oneself to a personal practice. It is acknowledged that undertaking these principles in themselves is a spiritual practice. The level to which these principles are adhered to is monitored by the individual him/herself. This is a voluntary process agreed upon and undertaken by the individual as an integral part of being at the Ashram. We do not use this as a form of seeking, rather it is an invitation to simply rest in being. Non-Violence (Ahimsa) The Ashram is committed to living with consciousness,
and therefore it romotes Right Communication All community members are pledged to support one another totally through truthful reflection. Speaking the Truth (which is not a reactionary or egoic truth) is therefore an important aspect of our being together, and this means avoiding gossip, blame, harsh criticism, speaking negatively about people behind their back, useless speech, using language to deceive, manipulate or withhold the Truth. Each member is to take responsibility for refraining from using these types of communication themselves whilst also not engaging, encouraging, or feeding energy to others who choose to relate in this way, rather without judgement, one could approach the situation by encouraging right and direct communication means. At the Ashram, our intention is to relate to each other with kindness and compassion. In this way, we do our best to support one another to express difficult feelings which may arise. Living free from Intoxicants All community members are required to be actively
working toward freeing themselves from mental, emotional and physically
addictive patterns and therefore reflectively removing the use of intoxicants
such as caffeine, tobacco, marijuana, sugar, alcohol etc, so that the
individual is able to be present authentically as him/herself at all
times. Through abstaining from these substances one is fully accountable
and acts with compassionate regard for him/herself with clarity of mind,
and compassion toward the subtle and physical bodies. It is essential
to develop self-discipline to challenge and transcend these addictive
impulses if the individual is to progress beyond a relative point Peace Prayer Asatoma Sadgamaya Tamasoma Joytir
Gamaya |