| Commitment to Truth
Commitment to Truth basically means wanting reality more than we want
to hold onto our 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 Love
Commitment to Love means that we acknowledge that the ultimate purpose
of life is to become pure love,
and that throughout all endeavours we aspire toward this goal. Whilst
acknowledging our many shortcomings and being real about where we are,
still we understand that returning to the state of loving God completely
and knowing God to be within everyone and everything is our reason for
being.
Commitment to Service
Where there is love there is also a desire
to serve. Without offering service what real love can there be?
We aspire to become simple hearted, humble servants, living our lives
with love and affection as an offering to the Lord in all that we say
think and do.
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 learn 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 loving 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.
Non-Violence (Ahimsa)
The Ashram is committed to living with consciousness, and therefore
it promotes a low-impact, compassionate lifestyle. We recognise that
our actions carry consequences, and therefore, where possible we will
not knowingly support institutions, business ventures, and multi-nationals
which abuse, manipulate and disrespect the right of each individual
to live in freedom, be it human, animal, vegetable or mineral.
For this reason those living and staying at the Ashram generally respect
a vegan diet (minimum pure vegetarian) Our commitment to non-violence
includes avoiding violence toward ourselves and others through unconscious
submission to dysfunctional behaviour patterns.
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 transform these addictive impulses so that we can relentlessly
turn our attention to that which has ultimate importance.
Peace Prayer
Asatoma Sadgamaya Tamasoma Joytir
Gamaya
Mrityorma Amritamgamaya
Om Shanti Shanti Shanti
Om Lokah Samastah Sukhinoh Bhavantu
Lokah Samastah Sukhinoh Bhavantu
Lokah Samastah Sukhinoh Bhavantu
Om Shanti Shanti Shanti
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