Understanding Spirituality and the Role of Ashrams in Modern Society by Abhey Singh Known as IITian Baba

Spirituality has always been a core part of Indian culture, with numerous spiritual practices and traditions flourishing over centuries. However, there has been significant debate regarding the authenticity and purpose of many ashrams and spiritual organizations today. This discussion explores the real essence of spirituality, the function of ashrams, and the challenges posed by modern misinterpretations.

Spiritual Organizations: Building or Breaking?

To establish genuine spirituality, it is essential to differentiate between authentic spiritual leaders and those driven by material motives. Many self-proclaimed "Babas" with large followings fail to demonstrate enlightenment or spiritual depth. Their organizations often operate more like businesses, prioritizing wealth and influence over true spiritual progress.

One way to identify such places is by observing their practices. For instance, ashrams charging exorbitant fees or demanding donations in the name of spirituality often deviate from their intended purpose. True spiritual spaces should focus on aligning individuals with higher consciousness rather than monetizing faith.

Seva Ashram: A Case Study

An example often discussed is the Seva Ashram. While it claims to provide a path toward enlightenment, a closer look reveals questionable practices, such as asking for monetary donations in exchange for spiritual guidance. Genuine ashrams operate on donations intended for sustaining the place and supporting seekers, not for profit-making schemes.

Furthermore, if an ashram encourages worship while charging fees, it contradicts the very principles of spirituality. True worship should come from devotion, not from transactional relationships.

The Distortion of Temple and Ashram Systems

Historically, temples served as centers of spirituality, where devotees could connect with the divine. Over time, many traditional practices became corrupted due to institutional greed. For example, some devotees now believe that God exists only in idols and fail to recognize divine presence in living beings. This mindset is contradictory to spiritual teachings, which emphasize the unity and interconnectedness of all creation.

Moreover, ashrams aligned with certain traditions often become rigid and exclusionary, restricting spiritual growth to specific groups or castes. Such practices are not only outdated but also undermine the inclusivity that spirituality originally embodied.

Revisiting the Legacy of Adi Shankaracharya

Adi Shankaracharya's contributions to Indian spirituality are unparalleled. He reformed the spiritual landscape by engaging in debates and defeating local spiritual leaders, proving the validity of Advaita Vedanta. However, his teachings were never meant to institutionalize spirituality.

Shankaracharya created a structured system by dividing India into four regions, each governed by a "matha" (monastic institution). Unfortunately, over time, this system was taken over by individuals who prioritized tradition over enlightenment. Many current leaders of these institutions lack the spiritual depth of Shankaracharya and have reduced his legacy to mere ritualism.

One notable incident in Shankaracharya’s life highlights his wisdom and humility. When confronted by a Chandala (a member of a marginalized caste), Shankaracharya realized his own limitations and surrendered, acknowledging that enlightenment transcends caste and societal norms. This incident is a reminder that true spirituality is about breaking barriers, not creating them.

The Need for Authentic Spiritual Leadership

Today's spiritual landscape is filled with organizations and leaders who lack authenticity. Names like Premananda Maharaj, Vishwananda, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, and even contemporary figures like Sadhguru are often scrutinized for mixing commercialism with spirituality. While some may offer genuine guidance, many fail to uphold the principles of selflessness and enlightenment.

Furthermore, organizations like ISKCON, Brahma Kumaris, and others have also faced criticism for focusing more on expanding their influence than on fostering individual spiritual growth. Such trends highlight the need to revisit the true purpose of ashrams and temples.

The Spiritual and Commercial Clash at Triyuginarayan

I recently visited Triyuginarayan, a sacred temple that holds a unique place in Hindu tradition. However, the experience left me both disturbed and contemplative. The temple, believed to be the site of Lord Shiva and Parvati's divine wedding, has a mystique that draws pilgrims from all over the world. But during my visit, I felt as if the very essence of its sanctity was being overshadowed by commercial exploitation.

The temple is a place of reverence, yet the local management has turned it into a business venture. Outside the temple, they sell wood that is supposedly used to keep the sacred fire burning. This is a blatant scam. They claim it’s a necessary part of the temple rituals, but in truth, it’s nothing more than a business transaction.

The situation is even more alarming when you consider the treatment of the sacred space. The genuine spiritual practices and traditions associated with the temple are being used to make money. The commercialization of sacred places like Triyuginarayan shows how religious institutions can become centers of profit rather than piety.

Corruption and Violence: My Personal Encounter

During my time at the temple, I encountered a shocking instance of violence. After confronting those in charge of the temple for their fraudulent actions, I found myself embroiled in a life-threatening situation. I was beaten severely, and in a state of disarray, with no slippers, no phone, and my clothes torn, I had to navigate through an 8 km trek in pitch darkness—guided only by my faith in Shiva.

Despite the pain and exhaustion, I didn’t give up on my journey. Shiva had given me two simple rules: “Keep moving forward” and “Stay in one place for no more than one night.” I followed these instructions and focused on my spiritual practice, leaving the violence behind me. But the corrupt people at the temple didn’t stop their exploitation. They took advantage of the sacred rituals, using them as a guise for their scams.

A System of Misguided Power

The entire episode made me reflect on the abuse of power in spiritual organizations. At another temple I visited, I witnessed similar corruption. The temple had fallen under the control of individuals who were drunkards and addicts—people who cared more for personal gain than the sanctity of the sacred space.

This situation is far from rare. Many temples, ashrams, and religious institutions have been overtaken by power-hungry individuals who manipulate spiritual practices for financial gain. I’ve met true saints who have warned me about this. They’ve seen firsthand how some people exploit sacred spaces and deceive others in the name of religion.

A saint I met near the Narmada River explained how he came to understand the difference between true spiritual teachings and the fake ones propagated by self-proclaimed gurus. He had spent years as a sadhu, knowing the intricacies of spiritual traditions, and he spoke of how certain traditions, such as those of the Nath or Giri sects, are often used for personal power.

The Irony of Worship: A Divided Faith

The hypocrisy of modern religious practices also struck me deeply. I watched as people worshipped idols of the same God they had turned their backs on. The desire for spirituality is real, but many are led astray by false prophets and corrupt institutions.

One moment that stuck with me was during the Ram Mandir inauguration. The event was used as a tool for division, and the media manipulated the narrative to spread negativity. True spiritual enlightenment is rare, and many people are far from understanding its depth. We can’t claim to be enlightened if we can’t even manage basic things like keeping our surroundings clean or maintaining integrity.

The False Promise of ‘Twin Flames’ and ‘Enlightenment’

In today’s world, people often speak of ‘twin flames’ or finding their divine counterpart, but this is a shallow interpretation of true spirituality. Only enlightened beings, like Lord Ram and Sita, can truly understand the profound connection of being one with the divine.

The concept of twin flames is more complex than mere romantic love. It is about spiritual connection and awakening. But many individuals who claim to have found their twin flame are merely chasing fantasies. True spirituality isn’t something you can fake; it requires years of inner work, self-awareness, and dedication.

A Call for Change: Returning to True Dharma

The growing chaos in the world is a sign that we’ve strayed from the true path of dharma. If we continue down this road of selfishness and exploitation, humanity may face severe consequences. We are living in a world where even demons (as described in Hindu mythology) could be reformed, but they refuse to change.

I believe that humanity’s potential for goodness and righteousness still exists, but it requires a return to the core principles of spiritual practice. We need to awaken from the illusion that material wealth and power bring fulfillment. Only through true awareness and selfless service can we restore the sanctity of sacred places and lives.

Conclusion: The Unseen Forces at Play

I’ve encountered these issues both within spiritual communities and outside them. Whether it’s a temple, an ashram, or a local community, the threat of manipulation is ever-present. Yet, through all the corruption and challenges, I have learned that the truth will always rise to the surface.

I encountered a true sadhu at Kamleshwar Mahadev, who recognized me and treated me with the utmost respect, even though his disciples were upset by my presence. He understood the depth of true spirituality, and that recognition brought me closer to my purpose.

In the end, the power of truth and the divine path will always prevail over falsehood. I continue to walk the path of dharma, guided by the wisdom of Shiva, and I encourage others to do the same. Through unwavering faith and a commitment to the truth, we can overcome the darkness that surrounds us.

The journey I took one evening is something I'll never forget. It all started with a conversation I had, where I shared an unusual encounter from a night spent outdoors. I was in a remote area, walking through fields, when I came across someone lying on the ground. He was a stranger, dressed in an unusual outfit — not the typical clothes you would expect to see. His appearance was strange, almost like he had wandered in from another world, his clothes more akin to a traditional dhoti, rather than modern clothing.

Despite his condition, I couldn’t just walk by. I approached him, unsure of his situation. He appeared to be in pain, with dust on his body and signs of injury. It was clear that he needed help. I gave him food — potato parathas I had brought along with a water bottle. It felt like the right thing to do at that moment.

As we started walking together, barefoot on the rough terrain, the contrast between our lives became even more apparent. She was a village girl, and here I was, with my unusual background, yet we had common ground, chatting about everything from spirituality to life’s greater purpose. We passed through several villages, and with each step, the conversation grew deeper.

I explained how I had found my calling, how I felt the world was suffering, and how my mission was to change that. She was intrigued but confused about how I could claim to be someone like God when I was also facing the same struggles and hardships as everyone else. I tried to explain that this was the nature of divine play — the divine doesn’t always reveal itself in expected ways. Sometimes, it’s hidden in the most unexpected circumstances.

The night grew longer, and the more I talked to her, the more I could see how our thoughts aligned. I shared my philosophy with her: if you want to hurt someone, you must be prepared for the same to happen to you. This, I said, was the universal law — the law of cause and effect. If I could endure pain, I could also deliver it. This idea of balance is central to understanding the dynamics of our existence.

This experience was not just about spiritual discussions. It had practical implications too. I talked about the financial systems, about how things were moving towards a cashless society, with the UPIs and digital transactions. But there’s a flaw in this system. Imagine, I said, if a bank’s server goes down — suddenly, all transactions come to a halt. Everything becomes dependent on the server, and if the system fails, the whole economy might collapse. I explained that while the shift to a cashless system is inevitable, the infrastructure needs to be robust enough to handle the massive load.

As the conversation continued, I realized how little people understood the power they had over their own lives. When I mentioned how people were trying to manipulate the system, asking for money without understanding the consequences of their actions, I was met with skepticism. Yet, I knew that the economy could not function like this — it had to be balanced, otherwise, it would collapse under its own weight.

The talk then shifted to a larger perspective — the universe itself. I spoke about how every action has a ripple effect. If you do good, it will come back to you in some form, and if you do bad, the same will happen. This is how the cosmic law works. The conversation deepened, as I explained how different spiritual identities, including Hindu, Muslim, and others, all had their own karma, and it had to be accounted for. I wasn’t just talking about religion; I was talking about actions, their consequences, and how we all must come to terms with the way we’ve lived our lives.

We must all understand that every act, every word, every thought has an impact. And if we aren’t aware of the effects of our actions, we are simply drifting through life without purpose.

It seems like the conversation had turned into a heated discussion, as voices began rising in frustration. The exchange delved into the subject of karma, with one participant trying to assert their understanding, questioning the essence of decisions and actions. "Who are you to decide the actions of others? You are just a vessel of karma," one statement echoed in the conversation. There was an attempt to explain the scientific foundation of this perspective, but it seemed the other person wasn’t accepting the scientific reasoning behind it.

As the discussion continued, the conversation shifted from the theoretical to the deeply philosophical. One individual attempted to explain the essence of existence, comparing the idea of truth with opinions and how every aspect of creation is tied to a universal law. The notion was simple yet profound: everything that exists, from the smallest creature to the grandest force, is part of the same universal consciousness, and it’s all interconnected.

The focus also shifted toward the power structures of the world. The idea of control over wealth and resources was brought up, emphasizing that ultimate authority lies with those who hold the creation's keys. "Wealth is mine; I decide how much you can take, because you're taking it from me," was one of the statements, focusing on the idea that the balance of wealth and resources ultimately resides with a higher power. In this case, it was likened to a loan system, where what you take from the universe, you must give back tenfold. This understanding of cosmic balance plays out not only in wealth but also in the love and hate people give to one another — the balance is restored in multiples.

Through this dialogue, it was evident that the conversation wasn’t just philosophical but also practical. The person expressed frustration with those who resisted this deeper understanding of life and the universe, noting that such resistance often comes from those who fail to see the greater picture. "People are confused. They don’t understand the power they hold in their own lives," was one sentiment. The talk also ventured into matters of spirituality, where the practice of chanting "Om Namah Shivaya" was explained as invoking a vibration that connects all elements of existence to a higher frequency of energy. It’s a recognition of the creation and the creator, and the acknowledgment that everything, no matter how seemingly different, is part of one unified energy field.

The conversation also explored the human tendency to misunderstand or resist deeper truths. Those who fail to grasp these cosmic laws, it seems, are destined to face the consequences of their actions, as their resistance only delays their inevitable realization. The speaker hinted that many people had once doubted him, calling him crazy or misguided, but in time, those doubts would dissipate as they witnessed the truth unfold.

There was a sense of frustration in the air as people, unwilling to understand, continued to challenge the teachings, often trying to twist them to fit their own narratives. However, the speaker remained resolute, explaining that he would not be swayed by these opinions. "You will see," was a recurring theme, emphasizing that truth, when fully realized, would make the resistance futile.

Towards the end, there was a shift in energy. The speaker discussed the strategic steps they had taken to ensure that their message would be understood. Through patience and persistence, the truth would eventually come to light. "People will not understand until I show them my power," was an assertion that resonated through the conversation, marking a resolve to demonstrate the depth of understanding through action rather than mere words.

The dialogue ended with a strong affirmation of the speaker’s authority over their universe. They mentioned that their creation — their world — would unfold according to their rules. The conclusion was clear: those who resisted or misunderstood the process would ultimately be left behind as the cosmic order revealed itself in its full glory.