from: rukmaniramana@xxxx.xx
date: Mon, Feb 7, 2011 at 8:42am
subj: Re: Approval Process for a "Virtual On-line Ashram"

Dear Sirs and Madame,

I have begun a blog for an International Discussion group for the students of Ramana Maharshi. As a feature of this blog I would like to offer membership in a virtual on-line ashram. The purpose would be to create a set of daily disciplines for Self-inquiry and meditation. By setting structured goals within a group there is support to keep that discipline and have satsang with the members.

The blog I am considering for this purpose is: //rmdiscussgrp.blogspot.com/ or we could begin a closed blog just for ashram members.

I propose to call it Arunachala Ashrama.

If you would like to know more about me, I have kept a blog - journal with about 300 entries of my meditations for the past year at: ramana maharshi-rukmani.blogspot.com/

I have been on the spiritual path for 40 years and have dedicated my life to Ramana Maharshi.

Please advise me on how I would get approval and of any rules or guidelines I need to follow if this is approved.

This is the e-mail I propose to send to the Group Members of the blog:

" Dear Group Members of the Intern'tl Discussion Group,

Anyone who would like to "move into" Arunachala -- A Virtual Ashram within this blog can do it easily. It is free, requires no travel, and no leaving of home and family. If it has been your wish to live in an ashram and have been unable to do so, here is an opportunity to join in building one.

There are so many advantages to spiritual practice living in an ashram. The ever present Ramana Maharshi and sacred atmosphere is the most glorious part. There is group support to meditate several times a day. Individuals of like minds can come together and share experiences and obstacles. There is great food and chai! And you don't wear shoes. Really the beauty of it is too all encompassing to begin to describe it.

I don't know if there has ever been a virtual ashram before, so we would be building it from scratch. It would evolve over the years led by the spirit of Ramana Maharshi through our inspirations.

If you would like to be a resident of Arunachala Ashrama please post your ideas on the International Discussion Blog. Let's identify ourselves with every post as "Virtual Ashrama Resident." If you have friends that might be interested please forward this e-mail. We can have 100 members.

I lived in an ashram for several years and they were some of the happiest days of my life.

And I am so happy today!

In his love,
Rukmani

Deepak posted: 'to remember to forget who you are not' is a purpose that can be met through this blog."

- - - - - - - - - From: Sri Arunachala Bookstall <-------@arunachala.org>
To: rukmaniramana
Sent: Mon, Feb 7, 2011 10:51am
subj: Re: Approval Process for a "Virtual On-line Ashram"

Dear Rukmani,

Thank you for sharing your ideas and inspiration with us. I certainly believe it is beneficial for sadhaka's to have the company of intimate friends who have dedicated their life to the ideals that Sri Ramana Bhagavan has vouchsafed to mankind. Once a connection has been made with Him, by his grace, all of those who experience Him as their Guru are henceforth bound together as a single family. And meeting with these children of Bhagavan, being part of their lives, is a sure way to experience the many ways that the Master guides, sustains, protects and leads all His devotees forward to the revelation that He alone exists as Pure Awareness and Bliss in the hearts of all beings.

I am very happy to read that you have dedicated your life to Bhagavan and He is the single goal and purpose of your life. Connecting with other seekers and devotees is certainly beneficial. Sharing your experiences can be of help to others, no doubt. This done over a blog is one way of doing it. But inherent in this method is the natural disconnect from the friend who may be offering his or her experiences. For example, I do not know who you are or where you live, or if Rukmani is your real name or a blog pen name. I may never know, but I don't mind this. This impersonal attribute to electronic associations is endemic in today's society. It lacks what Bhagavan had called the "personal touch' which is often necessary to deeply influence another in the spiritual realm. I am sure you understand this. And do not take this critically, for these are just a few thoughts which your kind email brought to the surface.

Arunachala Ashrama has been incorporated as a Religious Charity in the USA for almost 50 years. Over these years many facets of its activities have been transmitted widely within the community of interested seekers and devotees of Sri Ramana Maharshi throughout the world. Therefore, to use this name for your virtual Ashram would certainly create some confusion. So I kindly suggest you think of another name.

Lastly, I wish you well in your endeavor and pray that it may serve to inspire countless seekers to turn their attention to the ever-present Reality in the Hearts of all.

Your in Sri Bhagavan,

- - - - - - - - - from: to: -------@arunachala.org date: Tue, Feb 8, 2011 at 9:10 AM subj: For Dennis: "Virtual On-line Ashram"

Dear Dennis,

I appreciate your loving and kind e-mail. The radiance of your joy truly shone through your words. It touched me deeply and I feel blessed by your response. Your thorough evaluation of the idea gives me several issues about this idea to think about.

You are correct that in this electronic age we have become anonymous to each other in very basic ways, so much so that I came to believe that people do not want to know me. This is a sad realization. I will correct that with you now. Rukmani is a spiritual name given to me when I was 24 by a guru that I stopped following when his immoral behavior came to light. I kept Rukmani as my spiritual name because it resonates with me. My given name in Cindi Leacock. I am 59, married with 2 grown boys and live in Michigan, USA. I have worked in healthcare doing Quality Improvement and Human Resources. I am currently laid off and so is my husband.

I have sought a true Guru for many years and wandered in this Western desert, ironically, reading the teachings of Ramana Maharshi on and off. Last year, as I was looking at a picture of Him, I asked, "Would you be my Guru." And clear as a person speaking right next to me, He asked, "Who do you think I am?" That startled me into a deep recognition and acceptance of myself. I began a sadhana of daily meditation and blogging and Self-inquiry. I received many, many blessings from Bhagavan. My life has been so full of His love and inspiration.

My best thinking - on the virtual ashram idea - is that it came from His inspiration. He also inspired me, I think, to contact you for permission, which I had not even thought about. And in doing so I have received your love and wisdom. Do you think anyone at the ashram who has the time or interest to oversee the virtual ashrama, or do you have anyone else to recommend? I am so new to the structured methods and system of the ashramas, I think it would be wise to have a leader with a good deal of experience. I would do the work needed under their guidance. For example, I didn't know that the Arunachula Ashrama existed.

I do not want to place an additional burden on what I imagine is a very full life. If you have further suggestions, especially about a leader, I would greatly appreciate it. I will begin planning some basic ideas, until I hear from you again. May I use the part of your e-mail as a beginning point in encouraging us to totally open ourselves to one another?

Cindi