Escape from the Ashram

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A relaxing, detoxing break to escape the stresses of our everyday lives - or so we were led to believe. Yes we were prepared to do the occasional chore and get up early, even to put up with only 2 vegetarian meals a day (which is a lot coming from us) but we were not exactly prepared for the "cult" side of things... A 3 night minimum stay is imposed and we now understand why - to stop people leaving as soon as they arrive!

It's hard to explain what was so awful about this place but having to obtain exit passes to leave, having to pray and chant at 6am and having to sleep on the floor certainly didn't help! Within a matter of hours, we had both decided we wanted to leave but being in the middle of nowhere we thought it best to stay the night. Being pretty much put to bed and having the lights switched off didn't go down too well! After 22 hours of this place, we dashed to reception to "check out", afraid that they may impose the 3 night minimum stay. Thankfully they were really nice about it - guess it's their karmic duty. We were told to "eat and then leave" and considering we hadn't eaten in about 15 hours we didn't question this. Very shortly after, we used our exit passes and jumped in the first auto-rickshaw to get as far away as possible from this bizarre place!

We blatantly now both have pretty bad karma but were so happy to escape. Whilst it may be perfect for some, it just wasn't our cup of tea!

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Comments

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retreats for merditation
Your Ashram experience sounds rather like mine but further away fom home! I was only in Hereford but for ten days on a silent retreat getting up at 4.am and eating mainly stewed prunes in freezing mid winter sleeping in oiuthouse stables - farm gate firmly locked so no escape! Love all your pix as well as fawscinating stories. Jealous of the sunshine and adventures! keep yhem coming and keep well. Lots os love