Many times people say ashram is like a community; yet we differ from that concept, for us it is a family. You should be able to feel for the ashram just as you would feel for your home. If something is wrong in your home, you take the necessary steps to correct that wrong, for you belong to that place, your home. In the same manner, if all of you want to understand ashram life, the ashram systems, structure and discipline, you have to belong; you are not a participant or a student, you belong to this place and are equally responsible for the ashram as we are. Together we can make an environment which is conducive to our spiritual development, mental peace and personal harmony.
The ashram structures and disciplines can be challenging at times for those who are not used to it. We are stiff due to our mind. If the mind can be made a bit pliable and flexible, then adjustment and accommodation becomes much easier. To derive the full benefits of the ashram, be flexible in the mind, learn to adjust, accommodate and accept the different situations and disciplines.
The disciplines and situations are geared to make us aware of ourselves. For example: we practise silence at mealtimes and from six in the evening to six in the morning. People wonder how they can remain without speaking. Try it and I am sure you will enjoy it. People who are not habituated to remain quiet and silent find those periods difficult as they are used to having verbal diarrhoeas; if you want to control the verbal diarrhoea practise mouna. That is an example of the ashram discipline. There are many other little things that are incorporated in ashram life and its structure.
25 September 2011, Ganga Darshan, Munger