Ashland Spiritual Community
A SPIRITUAL COMMUNITY in Ashland, Oregon ~
Somewhere to Share Your Journey and Values
"The religious community is essential, for alone our vision is too narrow to see all that must be seen. Together, our vision widens and strength is renewed." - Mark Morrison-Reed
Our community in Ashland will be vibrant, all-inclusive, spiritual community committed to raising consciousness, transforming lives, and healing the planet, one person at a time. We are a non-denominational, interfaith Ashram space that honors all people, religions, and cultures.
However, since my past is yoga/meditation/sadhana- for me personally I bring a blend many traditions and my own eclectic ways- a mix of hindu/buddhist/shamanic style to the Ashram idea. I have a love for many of the Holy Ones and Saints, including Paramahansa Yoganada Which shows in my love of the Hindu Deities. As well as some new age philosophies and inner connections with Krishna, Divine Mother and the Cosmic Christ
IS SPIRITUAL COMMUNITY FOR ME?
Do you ever feel lost in a daze wondering if there's something more out there to guide you in your spiritual journey?
Are you searching for a group of people that share your values and perspective?
Are you currently pursuing a spiritual practice but feel like there's something further to be learned from other like-minded people?
Do you have queries about life that you're struggling to find answers to on your own?
These questions and others may indicate that you're in need of or are looking for a spiritual community to share in your spiritual quest.
Some might ask why a spiritual community is necessary to fulfill our Spiritual aspirations. Others may doubt that one tradition can have all of the right answers that they're looking for.
Uncertainty is surely something that nearly everyone has felt at some point in University, and its okay to feel that way about this too. Nevertheless, keep in mind that exploring a spiritual community and what it can offer you, not only spiritually but also socially, intellectually, and emotionally, could be a solution to feelings of doubt, isolation, or a lack of inspiration in your life.
What Do I Need to Know
It should be known that few communities purport to have all of the ‘right' answers. Many traditions appreciate other perspectives of spirituality and sometimes even incorporate an array of views into their teachings. For those of you who don't have any direction on what community to join, it may feel like there's a smorgasbord of traditions to choose from. Though it may be tempting to sample from the full mix, joining a spiritual community takes some commitment, and often to only one tradition. Choosing to become a member of only one community may seem limiting to some but the benefits of exploring your spiritual side a bit further with others who have similar questions and ambitions can be inspirational for growth and a deepened awareness.
Finding and joining a spiritual community may offer some of the following:
Maybe the Ashram we are manifesting in Ashland would be a perfect fit if you are interested and drawn to a variety of spiritual traditions based on mediation, yoga and awakening. There is no specific guru or teachings, although the teachings of Paramahansa Yoganada are invited as well as other Holy writings, and Yoganada's teachings are the basis of the Aanada Yoga style of practice that I studied and teach.
Somewhere to Share Your Journey and Values
"The religious community is essential, for alone our vision is too narrow to see all that must be seen. Together, our vision widens and strength is renewed." - Mark Morrison-Reed
Our community in Ashland will be vibrant, all-inclusive, spiritual community committed to raising consciousness, transforming lives, and healing the planet, one person at a time. We are a non-denominational, interfaith Ashram space that honors all people, religions, and cultures.
However, since my past is yoga/meditation/sadhana- for me personally I bring a blend many traditions and my own eclectic ways- a mix of hindu/buddhist/shamanic style to the Ashram idea. I have a love for many of the Holy Ones and Saints, including Paramahansa Yoganada Which shows in my love of the Hindu Deities. As well as some new age philosophies and inner connections with Krishna, Divine Mother and the Cosmic Christ
IS SPIRITUAL COMMUNITY FOR ME?
Do you ever feel lost in a daze wondering if there's something more out there to guide you in your spiritual journey?
Are you searching for a group of people that share your values and perspective?
Are you currently pursuing a spiritual practice but feel like there's something further to be learned from other like-minded people?
Do you have queries about life that you're struggling to find answers to on your own?
These questions and others may indicate that you're in need of or are looking for a spiritual community to share in your spiritual quest.
Some might ask why a spiritual community is necessary to fulfill our Spiritual aspirations. Others may doubt that one tradition can have all of the right answers that they're looking for.
Uncertainty is surely something that nearly everyone has felt at some point in University, and its okay to feel that way about this too. Nevertheless, keep in mind that exploring a spiritual community and what it can offer you, not only spiritually but also socially, intellectually, and emotionally, could be a solution to feelings of doubt, isolation, or a lack of inspiration in your life.
What Do I Need to Know
It should be known that few communities purport to have all of the ‘right' answers. Many traditions appreciate other perspectives of spirituality and sometimes even incorporate an array of views into their teachings. For those of you who don't have any direction on what community to join, it may feel like there's a smorgasbord of traditions to choose from. Though it may be tempting to sample from the full mix, joining a spiritual community takes some commitment, and often to only one tradition. Choosing to become a member of only one community may seem limiting to some but the benefits of exploring your spiritual side a bit further with others who have similar questions and ambitions can be inspirational for growth and a deepened awareness.
Finding and joining a spiritual community may offer some of the following:
- We are communal creatures. Being involved in a community allows you to form meaningful connections, to feel deeply bonded with others, and provides a sense of belonging - all needs that most individuals would like fulfilled.
- A community exposes you to the lives of diverse people. It is an opportunity for you to be challenged by ideas you can't think of on your own and to meet people unlike you in age, sex, or race.
- It can connect you to a tradition of like-minded people who have gone before you on the spiritual path. You don't need to have all of the answers on your own. Your personal journey can develop further with ancestors of your tradition carrying you forward.
- Being involved in a community can challenge your spiritual growth. It can be easy to become complacent or comfortable at a given point. A community can lead you to explore places you may never think of on your own, can provide you with answers, and even new questions to ask yourself. It can really be a place to dig deeper.
- Participation in a community provides you with a consistent connection with the transcendent.
- In community with others, you learn essential life lessons such as self-awareness, communication, cooperation, mutual respect, courage, forgiveness, patience, and trust.
- Finally, a spiritual community can offer a deep basis for social justice work with justifying principles. You can work together as a team for causes you believe in and you will be encouraged to get involved and get motivated to stay involved.
Maybe the Ashram we are manifesting in Ashland would be a perfect fit if you are interested and drawn to a variety of spiritual traditions based on mediation, yoga and awakening. There is no specific guru or teachings, although the teachings of Paramahansa Yoganada are invited as well as other Holy writings, and Yoganada's teachings are the basis of the Aanada Yoga style of practice that I studied and teach.
Definition of an Ashram
Ashrams are a many thousand year old tradition in India and nowadays spread all over the world. While most of the persons running an Ashram outside India are not just Gurus from India or their direct disciples - but spiritual leaders and teachers sharing their practices with interested like minded others on the path to God.
Traditionally, an ashram (Sanskrit/Hindi: आश्रम) is a spiritual hermitage. Additionally, today the term ashram often denotes a locus of Indian cultural activity such as yoga, music study or religious instruction, the moral equivalent of a studio or dojo. An ashram would typically, but not always, be located far from human habitation, in forests or mountainous regions, amidst refreshing natural surroundings conducive to spiritual instruction and meditation. The residents of an ashram regularly performed spiritual and physical exercises, such as the various forms of Yoga. Other spiritual practices, such as Yajnas were also performed. Many ashrams also served as Gurukuls or residential schools of higher learning. Ashrams have been a powerful symbol throughout Hindu history and theology. Most Hindu kings, until the middle ages, are known to have had a sage who would advise the royal family in spiritual matters, or in times of crisis, who was called the rajguru, which literally translates to royal teacher. A world-weary emperor going to this guru's ashram, and finding solace and tranquility, is a recurring motif in many folktales and legends of ancient India. |