Conduct in the Ashram

These Ethical Principles guide the practice of Yoga and Meditation and our daily conduct here at the City of Angels Ashram - Yoga, Meditation, and their purpose is to pacify and harmonize body, mind and spirit, preparing them for practice, for life, for peace and harmony, for inner silence, for the rediscovery of their Infinite Being of Love and Peace!

So that you can enjoy your stay here at the Ashram, here is information on the ethical principles of Yoga and how to apply them during your stay here at the Ashram and in your daily life, raising yourself to another level of consciousness.

Yama

Observance of attitudes and behaviors in relation to collective coexistence, to others and to oneself.

Ahimsa: Non-violence, in words, deed and thoughts. Here at the Ashram, the diet is lactovegetarian, respecting animals and the environment. Light foods such as fruits, vegetables, legumes and grains are the basis of a healthy and pure diet so that the body and mind can get in tune and at peace with their nature. Respecting the collective spaces in a cooperative way, without imposing, without competition, without violence in a peaceful way, will contribute to your peace and to the common well-being of everyone here at the Ashram.

Satya: Truthfulness in your gestures, actions and words, not wasting conversations unnecessarily, avoiding speaking too much, avoiding speaking what you don't do, or what you don't believe in, avoiding not speaking the truth or rather, maintaining silence brings us closer to the Truth (Satya)!

Asteya: Not stealing: the peace, the silence, the time, of everyone here in the Ashram, respecting the rules, keeping the environment harmonious and peaceful, everyone will make the most of their time in the Ashram.

Aparigraha: Not posseding. Here are simple, shared and comfortable accommodation that serves the purpose of good rest, without ostentation and luxury, which dulls the mind and senses, which become attached to them and with increasing demands, because our senses, if satisfied, always want more, making these demands an obstacle to individual and collective Peace.

Brahmacharya: Sexual continence, abstinence from lust. Here in the Ashram the male and female quarters are separated, avoiding any physical contact, keeping the mind elevated, avoiding lustful thoughts, therefore redirecting this sexual energy towards spiritual elevation, with better use of your practices during your stay in the Ashram.

Nyama

Observance of ethical principles towards oneself, to strengthen the mind and keep the spirit free and peaceful.

Sauch: Purity of thoughts, heart, body, mind and spirit, to maintain inner peace. Here at the Ashram, the entire routine of the daily activities, regulations and food have been planned and structured so that, during your stay, you can purify yourself, elevate yourself and find yourself as your Integral Being, an infinite ocean of love and peace.

Tapas: Austerity strengthens the mind and raises the spirit and consciousness. Here at the Ashram your Tapas may be to give up some harmful habit, for others to maintain silence at quiet times, for still others to maintain a healthy diet at fixed times, for others to respect the Ashram's regulations and activity schedules, for others to live simply, without ostentation. Whatever your Tapas are, it will bring you benefits¸ enabling you to free yourself from attachments, not to identify with the body, enabling you to raise your consciousness.

Santocha: Felicity, inner contentment, maintaining this state in spite of any adverse external or internal situation. We are not always understood or attended to in the way we would like, even here in the Ashram, so having this understanding, keeping the spirit free from attachment to the fruit of action (karma Yoga), maintaining inner peace, causes this joy of living to arise naturally, this amazement at life, at beauty, at love, at nature, at oneself and at all beings, at full, permanent and true happiness. (Santocha)

Svadhyaya: The study of the Self, of Truth. the practices and Meditation here at the Ashram, will lead you to a deep state of reflection, of discovery, of facing your fears, your shadows, your individual and collective suffering, the ghosts that dwell in the illusion of your limited existence and imprison you in an unsatisfactory, incomplete existence, empty of purpose; and only after facing it, face to face, with courage, with surrender (Ishvarapranidhana), with truth (Satya)¸ with discipline and determination (Tapas), with joy (Santocha), awaken to something greater, something divine, something sublime of your Infinite Divine Nature, and dive into this ocean of love. It's worth a try!

Ishvarapranidhana: Surrender and faith, acceptance. Cultivating these divine qualities, which inhabit the hearts of Men. In the Ashram, in this environment of peace, harmony and respect, will certainly contribute to finding your purpose in life, a greater understanding of your Being, something that has no measurable value, something that only you can conquer for yourself and promote your transformation.

Be the change you want to see in the world, here and now! Welcome to this Oasis of spiritual elevation of Divine Love!