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Living the Four
Ashrams of Life
by
Swami Jnaneshvara Bharati
SwamiJ.com
Planning life in four
stages: In the ancient Indian
tradition, one planned the years of life in four ashrams or stages,
with the style of Yoga practiced in each stage chosen to match the
circumstances of that stage.
A life of 84+ years was sought, with each of the four stages being 21 years.
Some have revised these into four stages of 25 years, seeking a life of
100+ years. The purpose for this life planning is to attain the direct
experience of Self-realization, Yoga or enlightenment here, in this world, in
this very life. While our lifestyles may have changed since then, the
basic idea of these four stages is as sound today as it was then.
Age: |
Ashram
or Stage: |
0-21
(0-25) |
Brahmacharya/Student: The celibate student time of youth is for learning
the foundation of lifestyle. The focus is on healthy, positive
training and discipline, learning about spiritual, community,
and family life. |
21-42
(25-50) |
Grahasta/Householder: The householder phase of
life is when one lives with spouse and children,
fulfilling worldly interests and duties.
It is a time of giving, living, learning, and loving in family
and community. Religious or spiritual practices are done in the
context of worldly life and service to others. |
42-63
(50-75) |
Vanaprastha/Hermitage: This is a time for shifting focus more towards more
inner spiritual practices of meditation, contemplation, and
prayer. Relationships with grown children and community are more
in the role of a matured mentor. Lifestyle is more simplified,
and the couple may retreat to a quieter place for deeper
practices. |
63-84+
(75-100+) |
Sanyasa/Renunciate: The elder person now retreats from active
involvement in all worldly goals, seeking only spiritual goals
in this final phase. No longer having political, professional,
or social engagements, there is a further shift towards being an
elder teacher of spiritual knowledge. |
This applies to all of
us: While we are a diverse world of cultures, religions,
philosophies, and attitudes, this simple framework of life planning has
great value for all of us. Regardless of how we may have lived the
stages of life that are already behind us, being aware of, and committed
to the current and later stages of life can bring great comfort and
clarity as we
progress on the path of Self-realization.
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This site is devoted to
presenting the ancient Self-Realization path of
the Tradition of the Himalayan masters
in simple, understandable and beneficial ways, while not compromising
quality or depth. The goal of our sadhana or practices is the highest
Joy that comes from the Realization in direct experience of the
center of consciousness, the Self, the Atman or Purusha, which is
one and the same with the Absolute Reality.
This Self-Realization comes through Yoga meditation of the Yoga
Sutras, the contemplative insight of Advaita Vedanta, and the
intense devotion of Samaya Sri Vidya Tantra, the three of which
complement one another like fingers on a hand.
We employ the classical approaches of Raja, Jnana, Karma, and Bhakti
Yoga, as well as Hatha, Kriya, Kundalini, Laya, Mantra, Nada, Siddha,
and Tantra Yoga. Meditation, contemplation, mantra and prayer
finally converge into a unified force directed towards the final
stage, piercing the pearl of wisdom called bindu, leading to the
Absolute.
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