Sri Vast Ashram

snowfie · Jun 15th, 2009, 15:25

Hi,

Has anyone been to this Ashram in Pondicherry? Heard anything about it? Done the Yoga Teacher Training course? I'm thinking of doing it and just wondered if anyone could share their experience?

Many thanks

palerider · Jun 22nd, 2009, 04:37

Never heard of it sorry. There are just so many Yoga centres, I did the Sri Sri yoga teachers course in Bangalore.

atala · Jul 6th, 2009, 19:23

It is located on the roadside off ECR into Auroville, and is full of very dedicated believers who are willing to pay the price for their experience. It is rather expensive, a smart New Age style community preaching happiness to young and sexy folks. Some Indian guy who likes to travel the world plays big guru and enlightened master there. I do not know how they can pull this off, but obviously just big happy talk plus a smart business attitude pay off well, as they are able to attract enough ignorant Westerners with the money that is required to create a Club-Med in India.

The teachings are a mix of Osho plus eco-friendliness, taught in a lot of tautologies, a lot of redundant sentences. Singing and dancing plays an important part there. The place makes use of the fame of Auroville with its stunning lush green forests for its ecology preachings.

Mr. Srivast would be a perfect example to study how some smart Tamil guy can create a hype around himself and his alleged realization of so-called enlightenment. But happiness and laughter are contageous, and there is some good about that too. I just wonder what he would teach the extremely poor and starving people living in his immediate neighbourhood in Bommapalayam, the village next to his ashram. That would be the test, not what he is able to tickle out of the crowds of rich westerners.

Check the place out online for yourself:

http://www.srivast.org/

http://www.caringnaturally.org/

palerider · Jul 6th, 2009, 20:37

I'm not rying to dis the guy, but it looks almost identical to the place I was in for ten years. same philosophy, same teachings, same "special" way of breathing/singing/sitting/talking/something.
They always photograph a few westerners for effect, to convince local rich Indians that it's on the level, maybe a little more luxurious, because westerners can stay there, it's a bit more upmarket.
Hmmmm, and they always have a serene smile, and look really friendly, and they all have a special yoga, which costs a fair bit to do the teacher training in, and they have courses which are never available to poor locals, but they swear they're available to everyone, and we're all equal, except the ones who are less equal, like the ones who cook, clean, etc.
I have come to realise that there are some people in this world who need this sort of stuff to hopefully feel somehow more "whole".
Your "self" is yours. You don't need to go to India to do a special yoga course, you can do that at home, and it's cheaper usually, coz you don't have to pay the airfare. I implore you to just go to India for a month, and then think about it. India is a spiritual p[lace, and a bad place, and a corrupt place, and a sublime place. Please just let it wash over you for at least a month before you make a decision to do anything out of the norm.
If, after a month, it still appeals, then you will have a much more balanced view of what you can do. ask some Indian locals near the place what their opinion is of the place.
They should know something, they live there. They know who's a fake often, and can let you know if it's a scam.
Heavens, sorry for the rave, but I lost a lot of valuable time following one of these people, who, although probably well meaning, and not dangerous, really wasn't any different to a thousand others.
It's an old formula that works to lure foreigners in to "become" somehow a step above where they are now. so far, I haven't seen any evidence that any of them are in any way above the other gurus.
They are all Gurus, They are all called GURUJI, they are all able to give you answers you already know, they just say it in the candlelight with an Indian accent, and pause after every sentence. It doesn't make them more spiritual, it makes them more long winded.
If they are real, everything will be free, and you will jump at the chance to do SEVA(service) for nothing, and feel it's an honour to do so.
So far, only one guy has got me to do that. and he's in Kochin, and I stayed there for a few days.
Nice guy, never got his name. I can't remember it.

Gayatri - Silvia · Sep 14th, 2009, 01:08

Dear Snowfie,

Yes i can recommend you this place absolutely. I have been to Sri Vast Ashram many times, I did the Yoga Teacher Training 3 years ago, and I enjoyed every moment in this inspiring environemnt, which has changed my life very much. The yoga education was a wonderful beginning for me to life yoga beyond the asanas and to integrate it in my life. After some time, back in Germany, i also started to teach yoga, and my students seem to enjoy the natural approach of yoga, which i have learnd in the Ashram in India. It is very unique and allows you to be very much in the presence of the moment. It is more a whole life philosophy then 'just' 90 minutes practices.

Please reconsider the comments given previously to your question, since it seems that both have not had the chance to meet Guruji Sri Vast nor visited the Ashram themselves.

It is true the Sri Vast Ashram has a very beautiful landscape and amazing buildings which are carefully built by the Ashram people themselves. When I was there, i participated myself in it. There is a community of international presence as well as Indians living in the Ashram and they do have more Ashrams in Europe as well. I have been there too. The people who are inspired by Guruji are thousands of people in the world, though the community actually living in the Asrham is small. That makes it very unique to live in the Ashram, even for a short period of time like a month.

It is true the people look all happy, and if you are there for some time, you can really recognize that you yourself become more happy and aware of the beauty in life. Having the opportunity to attend Satsangs in the Ashram make you aware that what this Master of our time is telling is a very simple but profound message, which obviously inspires people to make a change in their lifes. That is beautiful and should be respected.

If you have become aware of Guruji Sri Vast and the Sri Vast Ashram and something within you calls you to go there, I say, go!!! and make your own experience. Following the inner voice is always best.

snowfie · Sep 14th, 2009, 01:47

Thank you all for your messages. I appreciate both aspects, understand the need for both critical awareness, adventurous spirit and an open heart. I'm going back to a little ashram I love in Tamil Nadu for 3 months....what bliss, I can't wait!

Goran · Sep 14th, 2009, 14:49

Don't go in any Hindu ashram without getting some knowledge of the religion, history, politics, social dynamics, everyday life, culture, mentality etc of the subcontinent. What you are sold in most of this westernized new-age places is a bunch of washed-out easternised fluffy tree-hugging dreams often with not more than a vague link to the reality of India and Hinduism itself.

So study the scriptures (vedas, upanishads, puranas), study the history - secular and religious (at least the most prominent sects of Hinduism), stay for some time in India (not in ashrams, especially modern ones), read a few psychology books, especially those about cults and persuasion techniques. And after 5 year or so you might be able to see the difference between sincere and false spirituality. For now be sure that out of 10 such places and teachers at least nine are either fakes from the beginning, or sincere at the beginning but getting lost in money, sex and power over time, or some nice people but with not as much substance in them as they claim and so on. Really statistically it is always more probable that it is not genuine, especially with ashrams like this one (aiming at westerners, money for the teachings, self-help books grade philosophy and so on), so it is only wise when you don't now personally a place to assume that. Though without a little experience in India it might be difficult to see that even if visiting it. It can't be helped, 10 years ago I would give my life (I'm not exaggerating) for a lot of "enlightened" gurus and organizations that today I would recognize as scums after two sentences. But we can not pass experiences to others, there will always be new young people and middle-aged women falling for quasi-eastern mysticism. Just don't get carried away by the sweet talk and overenthusiastic disciples and be aware that in described places it is all just a good businesses more often than genuine spirituality.

Jun 15th, 2009, 15:25	#1
snowfie Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Edinburgh Posts: 18	Sri Vast Ashram Hi, Has anyone been to this Ashram in Pondicherry? Heard anything about it? Done the Yoga Teacher Training course? I'm thinking of doing it and just wondered if anyone could share their experience? Many thanks

Jun 22nd, 2009, 04:37	#2
palerider this is Brad. He's cute Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Armidale, N.S.W., Australia Posts: 2,226	Never heard of it sorry. There are just so many Yoga centres, I did the Sri Sri yoga teachers course in Bangalore. __________________ I always wanted to be someone when I grew up, I realise now that I should have been more specific.

Sep 14th, 2009, 01:08	#5
Gayatri - Silvia Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Germany Posts: 2	Dear Snowfie Dear Snowfie, Yes i can recommend you this place absolutely. I have been to Sri Vast Ashram many times, I did the Yoga Teacher Training 3 years ago, and I enjoyed every moment in this inspiring environemnt, which has changed my life very much. The yoga education was a wonderful beginning for me to life yoga beyond the asanas and to integrate it in my life. After some time, back in Germany, i also started to teach yoga, and my students seem to enjoy the natural approach of yoga, which i have learnd in the Ashram in India. It is very unique and allows you to be very much in the presence of the moment. It is more a whole life philosophy then 'just' 90 minutes practices. Please reconsider the comments given previously to your question, since it seems that both have not had the chance to meet Guruji Sri Vast nor visited the Ashram themselves. It is true the Sri Vast Ashram has a very beautiful landscape and amazing buildings which are carefully built by the Ashram people themselves. When I was there, i participated myself in it. There is a community of international presence as well as Indians living in the Ashram and they do have more Ashrams in Europe as well. I have been there too. The people who are inspired by Guruji are thousands of people in the world, though the community actually living in the Asrham is small. That makes it very unique to live in the Ashram, even for a short period of time like a month. It is true the people look all happy, and if you are there for some time, you can really recognize that you yourself become more happy and aware of the beauty in life. Having the opportunity to attend Satsangs in the Ashram make you aware that what this Master of our time is telling is a very simple but profound message, which obviously inspires people to make a change in their lifes. That is beautiful and should be respected. If you have become aware of Guruji Sri Vast and the Sri Vast Ashram and something within you calls you to go there, I say, go!!! and make your own experience. Following the inner voice is always best.

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Jul 6th, 2009, 19:23	#3
atala 8 years in India Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Switzerland Posts: 978	It is located on the roadside off ECR into Auroville, and is full of very dedicated believers who are willing to pay the price for their experience. It is rather expensive, a smart New Age style community preaching happiness to young and sexy folks. Some Indian guy who likes to travel the world plays big guru and enlightened master there. I do not know how they can pull this off, but obviously just big happy talk plus a smart business attitude pay off well, as they are able to attract enough ignorant Westerners with the money that is required to create a Club-Med in India. The teachings are a mix of Osho plus eco-friendliness, taught in a lot of tautologies, a lot of redundant sentences. Singing and dancing plays an important part there. The place makes use of the fame of Auroville with its stunning lush green forests for its ecology preachings. Mr. Srivast would be a perfect example to study how some smart Tamil guy can create a hype around himself and his alleged realization of so-called enlightenment. But happiness and laughter are contageous, and there is some good about that too. I just wonder what he would teach the extremely poor and starving people living in his immediate neighbourhood in Bommapalayam, the village next to his ashram. That would be the test, not what he is able to tickle out of the crowds of rich westerners. Check the place out online for yourself: http://www.srivast.org/ http://www.caringnaturally.org/

Jul 6th, 2009, 20:37	#4
palerider this is Brad. He's cute Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Armidale, N.S.W., Australia Posts: 2,226	I'm not rying to dis the guy, but it looks almost identical to the place I was in for ten years. same philosophy, same teachings, same "special" way of breathing/singing/sitting/talking/something. They always photograph a few westerners for effect, to convince local rich Indians that it's on the level, maybe a little more luxurious, because westerners can stay there, it's a bit more upmarket. Hmmmm, and they always have a serene smile, and look really friendly, and they all have a special yoga, which costs a fair bit to do the teacher training in, and they have courses which are never available to poor locals, but they swear they're available to everyone, and we're all equal, except the ones who are less equal, like the ones who cook, clean, etc. I have come to realise that there are some people in this world who need this sort of stuff to hopefully feel somehow more "whole". Your "self" is yours. You don't need to go to India to do a special yoga course, you can do that at home, and it's cheaper usually, coz you don't have to pay the airfare. I implore you to just go to India for a month, and then think about it. India is a spiritual p[lace, and a bad place, and a corrupt place, and a sublime place. Please just let it wash over you for at least a month before you make a decision to do anything out of the norm. If, after a month, it still appeals, then you will have a much more balanced view of what you can do. ask some Indian locals near the place what their opinion is of the place. They should know something, they live there. They know who's a fake often, and can let you know if it's a scam. Heavens, sorry for the rave, but I lost a lot of valuable time following one of these people, who, although probably well meaning, and not dangerous, really wasn't any different to a thousand others. It's an old formula that works to lure foreigners in to "become" somehow a step above where they are now. so far, I haven't seen any evidence that any of them are in any way above the other gurus. They are all Gurus, They are all called GURUJI, they are all able to give you answers you already know, they just say it in the candlelight with an Indian accent, and pause after every sentence. It doesn't make them more spiritual, it makes them more long winded. If they are real, everything will be free, and you will jump at the chance to do SEVA(service) for nothing, and feel it's an honour to do so. So far, only one guy has got me to do that. and he's in Kochin, and I stayed there for a few days. Nice guy, never got his name. I can't remember it.

Sep 14th, 2009, 01:47	#6
snowfie Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Edinburgh Posts: 18	Thank you all for your messages. I appreciate both aspects, understand the need for both critical awareness, adventurous spirit and an open heart. I'm going back to a little ashram I love in Tamil Nadu for 3 months....what bliss, I can't wait!

Sep 14th, 2009, 14:49	#7
Goran Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Croatia Posts: 144	Don't go in any Hindu ashram without getting some knowledge of the religion, history, politics, social dynamics, everyday life, culture, mentality etc of the subcontinent. What you are sold in most of this westernized new-age places is a bunch of washed-out easternised fluffy tree-hugging dreams often with not more than a vague link to the reality of India and Hinduism itself. So study the scriptures (vedas, upanishads, puranas), study the history - secular and religious (at least the most prominent sects of Hinduism), stay for some time in India (not in ashrams, especially modern ones), read a few psychology books, especially those about cults and persuasion techniques. And after 5 year or so you might be able to see the difference between sincere and false spirituality. For now be sure that out of 10 such places and teachers at least nine are either fakes from the beginning, or sincere at the beginning but getting lost in money, sex and power over time, or some nice people but with not as much substance in them as they claim and so on. Really statistically it is always more probable that it is not genuine, especially with ashrams like this one (aiming at westerners, money for the teachings, self-help books grade philosophy and so on), so it is only wise when you don't now personally a place to assume that. Though without a little experience in India it might be difficult to see that even if visiting it. It can't be helped, 10 years ago I would give my life (I'm not exaggerating) for a lot of "enlightened" gurus and organizations that today I would recognize as scums after two sentences. But we can not pass experiences to others, there will always be new young people and middle-aged women falling for quasi-eastern mysticism. Just don't get carried away by the sweet talk and overenthusiastic disciples and be aware that in described places it is all just a good businesses more often than genuine spirituality.