Saucha Atma Ananda
Namaste’
Before endeavoring to start this Ashram, and before meeting Jnanda, I spent years seeking, meditating, and studying in the hopes of understanding whom and what I truly am, and how to heal from the pain I was experiencing. It felt as though there was a “missing piece” within myself that was of the greatest importance. That missing piece ached and hurt when I ignored it, and only through the greatest of my own efforts was I able to make strides toward what I was seeking.
What I was searching for was wholeness, self-knowledge, and connection with the Divine. Before meeting Jnanda, I had moments of Illumination and healing, mixed with many moments of great difficulty. I felt I was unable to bridge my experience of the Divine with my experience of the world, and felt that my own suffering was taking place in an ocean of humankind's suffering. This was a hard place to be in for an extended period of time. Eventually, I developed enough humility to seek real help in my journey.
Because I studied religions, particularly Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, and Christianity, I knew that true teachers and guides existed, so I sought a teacher. There were many beautiful incidents that led to meeting Jnanda; in fact, I had a dream in which the Dalai Lama introduced me to my Guru, and then met him in person a month later.
The growth that I experienced in the next few months was remarkable. My desire to grow at that time was like rocket fuel; working with Jnanda I was burning through fears, misperceptions, and traumas… Within a few months I heard on the inner to start holding meditation circles at the school I was attending, and I began sharing with others the tools that I was learning. These meditation circles became more popular, and through them, I met several others who would go on to work with Jnanda.
That momentum kept growing; several of us including Devaaya, Bhati, and Sama moved in together, and the feeling of spiritual community was forming with growing strength. The following summer, I began to think about building an Ashram and Spoke with Jnanda and others about this idea. I felt that one day I would like to be able to aid and teach people in the way that Jnanda had taught me. I knew that what I had been given was of great importance to give also. Since I was not ready to teach others, I endeavored to build an Ashram where knowledge and spiritual tools would be more available to others.
It was not simple, I went through many challenges, and had some physical and financial instability along the way, but together with others who hopped on board, we were able to purchase land and begin the creation of this Karma Yoga Ashram.
It was Devaaya who first moved to Virginia to help find land and funding for the Ashram, who was with me through almost every step in the early time leading up until the purchase of land. Afterward, it was the core group of devoted, beautiful beings who first answered the call to move onto the land and help create this Ashram, even when we had no buildings running water, electricity, etc. Just some tarps and tents! And it was Jnanda, who was there each step of the way, aiding, advising, and supporting, so that things could be done in the best way.
As of the time of writing this, we have several buildings, a kitchen, solar, the makings of water infrastructure, a full garden, toilets, orchards, roads, and more. And most importantly, we have a strengthening and developing organizational structure, led by Satguru Jnanda Moksha Brahmananda, Yogi Vidya, and Yogi Uppekha.
My role in the Ashram has become head of building and dealing with the local building department, as well as a board member and co-founder. I am very grateful to be a part of this Ashram and work with such fantastic beings as those who make up this community.
Thank you for your interest in HYA,
Saucha Atma Ananda