24 Mar 2008 Vrindavan, India
Category: Family
Sometimes there are people visiting our Ashram who seem to think that this is a hotel. But an Ashram is different. We are like a family and welcome everyone who is open to make a nice relation. It is wonderful to have someone here who is interested in our projects, in the people who are living here and in the life that is lived here. It feels very strange when there are people in the Ashram who are just sitting upstairs and only come down for dinner. We are open and very willing to talk but there has to be some interest on the other side. You can even communicate with those who do not speak English like the students. And even my parents are open for this. I am very proud of my family, of my parents and my brothers, to whom I have such a great connection. It is a connection full of love and trust.
Yashendu went today for the Himalaya journey. We are missing him already here. Purnendu went up to Delhi with him but he will be back soon. It is very quiet here already and I can imagine how my parents miss us when Yashendu and I are both gone to travel abroad. So when I am here I am trying to spend all my time in the Ashram. I do not go out much. We also do not have big talk like you could expect regarding the little time that I am here. No, it is wonderful for them just to have me around, to know that I am there and to see me walking from here to there. The strong family relation is a beautiful part of indian culture. Everybody is present for the others and they support each other. This gives security which is missing in countries that do not have this family structure. There are a lot of things that I do not like in India but this is something very positive here that I do not find in the Western World.
Tags:: Ashram, Family, Indian culture
6 Comments
Posted By Swami Balendu
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It is so lovely to all live together as one family. This idea is not normal in Britain anymore. Many years ago people lived just like this, with their grandparents, aunts, uncles and everyone together.
Reply By Farida on May 04, 2012 03:30
I can only imagine how empty it feels to be at the ashram when you, Ramona, and Yashendu are gone for six months! Yesterday, all three brothers were only gone for one day and we all felt the quietness sink in. You all bring such a wonderful energy to the ashram!
Reply By Emily on October 15, 2011 12:13
It is comforting to have the presense of thse you love and also those you are used to. Very strange when they aren't there.
Reply By Missi on December 27, 2010 12:04
you guys are really wonderful. Maybe there is hope for the family afterall.
Reply By Rebekah on November 07, 2010 12:22
I really like this concept and it sounds, from what I have read and what others have wrote to you that you really make your house into a home for all to share. I see that you also run a business and I am wondering if you ever come across any issues that deal with money. In my own experience money can quickly turn an honorary family member into a client, a customer and you a service provider. And those roles divide people in a way that makes no sense. And then it is also easy to take on the role of the "professional" and to give yourself an excuse to turn your focus towards money and away from joy. You can even use the world's crazy rules about money to justify treating people like clients and sources of money instead of people. Money is not a problem and it is necessary but, and it sounds like you know, it is disturbing to make it a focus or to think of yourself as a business person and use the rules that follow. I just think it is very sad that families can fight over money. And that I have learned that the most important step to take, at least in my own family, with issues surrounding money is to try to constantly show people and myself that it is not important, no matter what that means, so that we may all be free of it together. And I don't see a reason to treat my business clients any differently.
Reply By anonymous on November 07, 2010 09:39
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