Om, dear readers. I acknowledge that it has been awhile since my last post. Reason being is that since Feb 01, I’ve been in the Bahamas at an Ashram Yoga Retreat. I’m here for 37 days.
What does this entail? A concrete schedule consisting of a daily 5:30am wake-up, 6-8am meditation and satsang, 10am brunch, sivananda yoga/asana practice either in a class or independently, 2-8pm karma yoga (more on this below), and 8-10pm satsang with lights out at 10:30pm.
Meat and alcohol are not permitted on the premises, while caffeine/coffee is not served or encouraged because of the stimulant properties. Modest clothing is required. Purity of body, mind, and spirit is the goal. And according to spiritual scripture, this is attained first and foremost via karma yoga.
WHY am I at the Sivananda ashram? I wanted & needed to put my self-imposed limits to the test, and I had a desire to “get away” while doing something with spiritual significance…something that would advance my mind/body intellect and sense of well-being rather than numb it. There is absolutely a time for fun, intoxicating, decadent and relaxing vacations, but this was not what I needed. At the time of booking this adventure, I craved a schedule, discipline, commitment, community, and a challenge. At the ashram I received all those things & more.
WHAT am I doing here? As a ‘Karma Yogi‘ I offer daily selfless service (i.e. working for no monetary gain or expectation of reward of any kind, and void of any ego).
My karma yoga at the ashram is the evening dinner shift, 2-8pm daily. It’s hard work – lots of chopping, peeling, stirring, cleaning and also serving the residents/guests of the ashram, with numbers varying from 200-330 yogis. The food is strictly vegetarian and is “sattvic” in nature, meaning pure, wholesome and void of stimulating/numbing properties. We discourage gluttony, although the food is plentiful. The yogic style of cooking emphasizes use of Ayurvedic spices/seasoning and quality complex carbohydrates (legumes, vegetables and grains). I find myself eating vegan here and I feel good although I have no intention of continuing as a full-time vegan once I return home. That said, I am learning a lot about vegetarian cooking and the Ayurvedic principles. As a holistic nutritionist, this newfound knowledge will be contemplated and utilized for years to come.
Being here is no walk in the park (or zen garden!). For example, this morning one of the head yogis caught me playing with the ashram kittens in the garden rather than attending meditation. I was embarrassed! And the work challenges me physically, emotionally and mentally. Kitchen work is kitchen work, whether it be in a pricey modern dining establishment or an ashram!
All the while, living this lifestyle is a great experience, and it doesn’t hurt that the ashram is situated on a beautiful sandy beach on Paradise Island! And there’s a Starbucks within a 10 min walk 😉 No matter where we are in the world, some aspects of ourselves remain – our habits, likes & dislikes, and our lens through which we see the world. I am working towards being completely at peace with this, while challenging those beliefs that no longer serve a higher purpose. Maybe that’s why I’m here after-all… To cultivate self-acceptance and a greater sense of duty. Selflessly.
One of the songs we sing in satsang repeats this mantra: serve, love, give, purify, meditate, realize. That about sums it up.
Om Shanti.
Hawkins Holistic 