GENERAL QUESTIONS

What is an ashram?
What is a Dominican ashram?
Why is this Ashram named Friends of God?
How is an ashram different from a monastery?
What type of people visit an ashram?

FOR THOSE THINKING ABOUT VISITING

What do guests do at an ashram?
What are meals like?
How much does it cost?

What is an ashram?

An ashram is most easily explained as a place where spiritual energy is intensely and intentionally focused. It is also a place of hospitality. "Ashrams" have their roots within Asian religious traditions. The word ashrama means total pursuit, full dedication. Christian ashrams first appeared in India early in the twentieth century. An ashram is a spiritual home, a place where it is safe to seek the holy, a gathering place for friends of God. An ashram promotes a simplified lifestyle, encourages the pursuit of inner silence, provides an atmosphere for contemplation, and is open to spiritual seekers of any religious tradition. 

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What is a Dominican ashram?

The Dominican tradition of spirituality offers common life, regular observances of prayer, study, preaching and the pursuit of justice--always looking for inspiration to St. Dominic, Thomas Aquinas, Meister Eckhart, Catherine of Siena, Bartolome de las Casas, Martin de Porres, Rose of Lima as well as many other Dominicans. One of the mottos of the Order of Preachers, contemplari et contemplata aliis tradere (to contemplate and to share with others the things contemplated), particularly guides the life at our Dominican ashram where we seek integration of contemplation and solidarity with the poor.

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Why is our ashram named "Friends of God?"

The Bible speaks of friends of God (Wisdom 7:14, 27; John 15:14-15). It is also a favored theme among Christian mystics. Thomas Aquinas speaks of charity as the friendship between God and the human person. Dominican spirituality is exemplified by the fourteenth century network in the Rhineland known as friends of God, associated with Eckhart, Tauler, and Suso. We attempt to keep alive that spiritual tradition today. Our ashram is dedicated to Catherine of Siena: doctor of the Church, contemplative woman, prophetic mystic, lay Dominican.

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How is an ashram different from a monastery?

Ashrams have many similarities to monasteries but there are significant differences. They can be open to both men and women, irrespective of status in the church. Commitment to the community is made for varying lengths of time.

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What type of people visit an ashram?

Many people visit us looking for a place to have a personal retreat or sabbatical (or part thereof). Those who incorporate time at the ashram into their sabbatical plans find it an opportunity to plumb the contemplative aspect of their religious life and mission. Former master general of the Dominican Order, Timothy Radcliffe shared a significan portion of his sabbatical at the ashram, as have women and men from New Zealand, South Africa, Portugal, England, France, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Canada, and many places here in the United States.

The ashram has welcomed several guests on sabbatical who sought us out as a spiritual environment for pursuing writing projects. While with us Jean-Jacques Perennes of the Province of France wrote a significant portion of his biography of Pierre Claverie, O.P. martyred archbishop of Algiers. Jeanine Hathaway, a poet, wrote several poems, which are part of her most recent publication, The Self as Constellation.

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What do guests do at an ashram?

The ashram strives to create a place where seekers come together in their search for a greater and deeper relationship with God.  The ashram does not offer programs as such. It is not a retreat house, though many of its guests do make private retreats. The ashram provides silence and solitude to be alone with God along with regular liturgical and personal prayer, and all with a community of similar intent. It is meant for those willing to encounter God, themselves and reality.

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What are meals like?

We invite guests to join us each mid-day for the community dinner. The kitchen is available for pick-up meals in the morning and after Evening Prayer.

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How much does it cost?

Guests are asked to make a donation according to their means, and are likewise invited to make a contribution to help cover expenses for those who cannot.

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