What are the needs of US professionals attending the ashrams retreats?
The basic need is for spiritual growth. We live demanding lives, with too many commitments and not enough time. Even though people can be very successful financially and professionally, there is still a sense of something missing inside. We try to empower them to be at peace even in the midst of their very complicated lives. In the professional world one thing you hear all the time is “I can’t wait till this project is over because then I can relax.” But that project is followed by yet another. Life continues to be a struggle even though it’s very successful and rewarding. The real gift of spiritual growth is to allow us to be in these demanding situations and be content and at peace. What are some of the values you try to impart to students? There is a trap of thinking that contentment is found through accomplishment. This is a complete illusion. If we place the locus of contentment outside ourselves, on profession, family, money, spouses, vacation, that leads to a lot of frustration.
