chitown82 Posted April 21, 2009 Report Share Posted April 21, 2009 Hello, I am a medical student studying in Chicago. I will be entering my final year of studies this summer. I will have a few months off before starting residency in the summer of 2010 and would like to take this opportunity to spend some time in India at an Ashram to learn more about Hinduism and connect spiritually to the Divine. During this past year, I have been studying and learning more about Hinduism. Once I start residency, I will not have an extended period of time to undertake such a journey so it is important I maximize this opportunity. I was wondering if anyone has any suggestions of Ashrams where I may be able to stay for 2 weeks or so. I have no preference as to where in India but I am North Indian so a Hindi-speaking area is preferable. I am simply looking for a wonderful opportunity to feel at one with the Divine. I realize nothing is free so of course I would be willing to pay any associated costs. At the same time, I am not looking for a "tourist" spot. I hope someone may be able to point me in the right direction so that I can organize this. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ranjeetmore Posted April 21, 2009 Report Share Posted April 21, 2009 Jkp ashram,vrindavan,barsana,mangarh and one is in Texas or smethin. First check where Sri Maharajji is residing,then go there. Remember,the asram is not what you imagine it to be.For the first few days,you feel almost sad and unhappy,but it is the sadhana you should be focussing on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chitown82 Posted April 21, 2009 Author Report Share Posted April 21, 2009 Jkp ashram,vrindavan,barsana,mangarh and one is in Texas or smethin. First check where Sri Maharajji is residing,then go there. Remember,the asram is not what you imagine it to be.For the first few days,you feel almost sad and unhappy,but it is the sadhana you should be focussing on. Thank you for the information. How do I find out where Sri Maharajji is at a given time? I went to his website and was not able to find a schedule. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ranjeetmore Posted April 21, 2009 Report Share Posted April 21, 2009 You call up the Barsana centre. Last time i was so fortunate as to go the raasa leela place when sri Maharajji was there.I cannot explain to you the expressions that were displayed on his face. Jeeva Goswami is fully correct in saying that ,"Brahma-Sarasvati and all the great intellectuals can Never understand the sentiments,expressions and works of rasik saints." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chitown82 Posted April 21, 2009 Author Report Share Posted April 21, 2009 Thanks for the suggestion. Can anyone suggest any ashrams in India as well? Preferably in North India (either near New Delhi or Banaras). Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ranjeetmore Posted April 21, 2009 Report Share Posted April 21, 2009 Barsana is in North India,around 130kms from Delhi. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sambya Posted April 22, 2009 Report Share Posted April 22, 2009 well if you want to learn about hinduism proper strictly do away with the modern vaishnav movements for a start . they are all sectarian and preach supremacy or krishna or vishnu over the rest . possibilty is very high that with less knowledge you shall be brainwashed into their thinking . at least that what i see happeing even in india . !! there are countless ashrams all over but i feel that there is no slightest possiblity to understand hinduism in such a short span as 2 weeks . however if you continue nourishing your thirst for spiritual wisdom even after your holidays get over you shall slowly aqquire a better understanding . palces like vrindavan , varanasi , haridwar , kedarnath etc can be amazingly refreshing . i would suggest to visit many asharms at the begining . talk with many saints and seekers . thish will initially open up your mind to all apparently contradictory beliefs and thoughts co existing in india and broaden your mind . slowly you shall notice that one particular path or ideology appeals to you more than the rest . understand that this is your path . after gaining firm convictions follow sadhana to realize what you have read all along . but if you are lookin for mental an spiritual relaxation then perhaps so much would not be necessary. remeber that there is nothing more educating than travelling coupled with inquisitiveness , humility and openness to ideas ........ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
santdasji Posted April 22, 2009 Report Share Posted April 22, 2009 Swaminarayan Mandir in Kanbha near Ahemedabad Gujarat. With Hariswarup Swami AKA Dhyanni Swami. You should defo go there. Or even stay there a week and you wont regret it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chitown82 Posted April 22, 2009 Author Report Share Posted April 22, 2009 Thank you. If anyone has websites for the ashrams/mandirs, could you let me know? I haven't done this before so I need all the information I can get so I can prepare for my visit. Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sant Posted April 22, 2009 Report Share Posted April 22, 2009 http://www.shivyog.com/about.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ranjeetmore Posted April 22, 2009 Report Share Posted April 22, 2009 Modern Vaishnava Movements ?? I wouldnt consider Brahmadeva worshippin the Same Godhead as an event in modern times ...Why yould YOU ?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sambya Posted April 23, 2009 Report Share Posted April 23, 2009 there is lot of difference between the ancient vaishnavism of ancient india and the modern vaishnav movements like hare krsna movement . the differences are plenty - for example the ancient vaishnavs never seperated themselves from mainstream hinduism , they had a deep respect for other gods like laxmi and durga and in their process never devalued other dieties . they didnt depreciate other deities to the level of demigods to glorify krishna . they did not lay more stress on puranas ignoring the importance of upanishads . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sant Posted April 23, 2009 Report Share Posted April 23, 2009 JHey sambya modern vaisnavs dont depreciate or try to show other deities smaler but shaiv and shakt do that most of the time. Infact just look at the tamasic puranaa they do that. seee my post of ling purana as an example.in fact shiv purana starts of wit visnu fighting with brahma. It is not shaiv fault either. it is mentioned in the text. Dont talk abou hare krisna movement it is based on mahaprabhus teaching. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chitown82 Posted April 23, 2009 Author Report Share Posted April 23, 2009 I have been to ISKON temples and other Hindu temples. Certainly, ISKON temples focus on Krishna and this is fine with me. I do not have enough knowledge to say if they devalue other deities but this does not appear to be the case to me. If anyone can direct me to more websites so I can plan an ashram to stay at, I would appreciate it. Thanks for the website, sant. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sant Posted April 23, 2009 Report Share Posted April 23, 2009 Youre coming in 2010 but Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chitown82 Posted April 23, 2009 Author Report Share Posted April 23, 2009 Youre coming in 2010 but I think you forgot to finish your thought. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sant Posted April 23, 2009 Report Share Posted April 23, 2009 Oh ya sory Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gHari Posted April 23, 2009 Report Share Posted April 23, 2009 <center><img src=http://www.indiadivine.org/audarya/attachment.php?attachmentid=2106&stc=1&d=1240471347></center> . Without doubt, I would go to ISKCON Mayapura. Lord Caitanya's mercy has soaked into every grain of sand there. They say that His pastimes are eternally manifest in Mayapura in another dimension. You may get a glimpse, then your life will be successful. This will maximize your good fortune in planning to utilize your time to please Krsna. In the eighteen hundreds the great scholarly saint, Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura wrote this treatise about Mayapura (aka Navadvipa): http://nitaaiveda.com/All_Scriptures_By_Acharyas/Bhaktivinoda_Thakura/Navadvipa_Dhaam_Mahatmya/Parikrama_Khanda.htm Travel arrangements: http://mayapur.com/ Good luck, gHari <center><img src=http://www.indiadivine.org/audarya/attachment.php?attachmentid=2107&stc=1&d=1240471365></center> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gita Dharma Posted April 23, 2009 Report Share Posted April 23, 2009 From New Delhi I recommend you take a train to Haridwar - a wonderful spiritual city with many ashrams there. However I recommend you first learn more about Hinduism to know what aspect of it you feel drawn to. Here is a good resource: www.hinduwisdom.info Also be aware that there are some Indian Gurus who have established ashrams here in the United States as well as India and they spend their time between both places. Here is one to consider: http://www.mountmadonna.org/yoga/babaji.html Hari OM! Hello, I am a medical student studying in Chicago. I will be entering my final year of studies this summer. I will have a few months off before starting residency in the summer of 2010 and would like to take this opportunity to spend some time in India at an Ashram to learn more about Hinduism and connect spiritually to the Divine. During this past year, I have been studying and learning more about Hinduism. Once I start residency, I will not have an extended period of time to undertake such a journey so it is important I maximize this opportunity. I was wondering if anyone has any suggestions of Ashrams where I may be able to stay for 2 weeks or so. I have no preference as to where in India but I am North Indian so a Hindi-speaking area is preferable. I am simply looking for a wonderful opportunity to feel at one with the Divine. I realize nothing is free so of course I would be willing to pay any associated costs. At the same time, I am not looking for a "tourist" spot. I hope someone may be able to point me in the right direction so that I can organize this. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ranjeetmore Posted April 23, 2009 Report Share Posted April 23, 2009 there is lot of difference between the ancient vaishnavism of ancient india and the modern vaishnav movements like hare krsna movement . the differences are plenty - for example the ancient vaishnavs never seperated themselves from mainstream hinduism , they had a deep respect for other gods like laxmi and durga and in their process never devalued other dieties . they didnt depreciate other deities to the level of demigods to glorify krishna . they did not lay more stress on puranas ignoring the importance of upanishads . Ignoring Upanishads ?? Do you even know what your saying. Look who's in ignorance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sant Posted April 23, 2009 Report Share Posted April 23, 2009 http://kiritbhaiji.com/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sant Posted April 23, 2009 Report Share Posted April 23, 2009 http://www.harikripa.org/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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