| Kashi Ashram is an interfaith spiritual community founded in 1976 by Ma Jaya Sati Bhagavati, a US-born spiritual teacher. The community embraces the sacred practices of many traditions. The essence of the teaching is based upon loving kindness, compassion, and a commitment to the truth through service to humanity and to oneself. Ma offers a spiritual path alive with color, creativity, love, service, and the rituals of many faiths.
The community stretches over 80 acres of woodlands with a number of shared residences. At the center of the ashram there is a large pond surrounded by temples and shrines to many of the world's religions. This pond symbolically represents the Ganges, the sacred river of India.
Kashi is a community of service, taking care of people in need. The River Fund, established in 1990, is dedicated to providing loving, nurturing care for people with challenging illnesses, especially people with HIV and AIDS.
In addition to serving and educating, Kashi fosters spiritual growth. People come to Kashi seeking a deeper, more meaningful, and fulfilling life. Through the uniqueness of this community many lives have been transformed. The Kashi School of Yoga offers daily yoga classes, yoga teacher trainings, workshops, retreats, and intensives. Residents teach meditation, yoga, kirtan and facilitate workshops and seminars. Visitors are welcome - every Saturday night there is a free yoga class followed by vegetarian dinner and
darshan with Ma Jaya. | Contact: Links: By The River: Affordable housing for seniors being built at Kashi |
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Population Non-member Residents: (There are an extensive number of people associated with Kashi who don't live there, who are involved on a daily basis.) Open to new adults: Yes (There is a gradual process for new members to join the community which may take up to one year.) Open to new children: Yes Gender Balance: 29% M 71% F Ethnic Diversity: 3% identify as 'people of color' | Government Decision Making: Other (Board of Directors) Identified Leader: Yes (Ma Jaya, Spiritual Director) Leadership Core Group: Yes (There is a core group of sannyas) | Labor and Money Financial Style: Members have independent finances Open to Members with Pre-existing Debt: No Labor Contribution: Expected (Members share daily tasks, food preparation, cleaning, etc.) Regular Fees: Yes (Members pay various levels of membership fees.) | Land and Buildings Small Town (The land borders the Sebastian River and has walking paths and trees.) Area: 80 acres (32.4 hectares) Land Owned By: The community (A limited number of acres of the land is now available for sale to private owners for residential use.) | Food, etc. Percentage of Food Grown: none Share Community Meals: 2-5 times/week Dietary Choice or Restrictions: There are some dietary restrictions (Vegetarian) Dietary Practice: Vegetarian only (Individuals may vary their form of diet - like yeast free, dairy or wheat free according to their needs.) | Social Factors Open to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and/or Transgender members: Yes (Quite a lot of glbt individuals and couples live at or spend time at Kashi .) Restrictions on Romantic Relationships (between consenting adults): No (Most residents of Kashi practise celibacy, however members and visitors who don't live on the property are not expected to follow this practise.) Shared Spiritual Path: Yes Which Spiritual Path(s): Ecumenical (includes "all religions") (Interfaith - embracing all religions and spiritual paths.) Educational Style(s): Private school off the property :: Public schooled | |
