By Devaki Devi Dasi
In connection with the Institute for Spiritual Culture we launched a new
course on the Vanaprastha Ashram in Mayapur during the month of January.
It was well received by a nice group of devotees of all ages who were
eagerly participating. A few senior devotees and disciples of Srila
Prabhupada also took part. This topic of the Vanaprastha Ashram is rarely
discussed, and there is almost no awareness amongst the devotees of how
important this last phase of life is in order to fully prepare for meeting
death, our final challenge. We have training courses for brahmacaris
grhasthas and Sannyasis, but what about those who are aspiring for the
Vanaprastha ashram?!
In the SB we find many quotes and descriptions of Vanaprastha life, which
don’t seem to be relevant and practical for the modern days. However, we can
simply extract the principles and apply them in our life – no matter where
we might be living. Instead of leaving to the forest we can invite the
principles of simple forest life into our flat in the city: simplifying our
surroundings and freeing ourselves from so many unnecessary things, which we
have most likely accumulated over the years: comfortable and oppulent
furniture, decorations and so many nick-nacks, which occupy some little
space in our mind while we are attached to them. Freeing ourselves from
unnecessary belongings is indeed a very liberating experience. Sooner or
later we will have to leave them behind anyway. Therefore better to
voluntarily let go of them by for example donating them to young devotees
who are just about to start with their household life. Thus we at the same
time experience the joy and benefits of giving in charity with a generous
and happy heart.
Another principle of Vanaprastha life is to keep our externals more and
more simple, thus reducing the bodily concept of life. No need to dress in
bark. Yet especially for us ladies it means we can give up our attachment
to make-up, decorations, oppulent dress and bright colors and keep ourselves
more and more simple. The aging body is already getting less attractive,
which is Krsna’s perfect arrangement to help us in the process of
detachment.
And last but not least we are meant to reduce our fancy eating and simplify
our diet – something which would be very natural when living in the forest.
And again, the aging body is helping us along, since the fire of digestion
is reduced, and we are forced to keep a more simple diet. As we know, the
tongue is the most ferocious sense organ and always demands some
satisfaction. And especially in the renounced phase of life we are meant to
conquer over the demands of the tongue and develop a higher taste.
Prabhupada speaks very strongly in the SB about the importance of
simplifying our eating. In the purport to SB.5.18.10 he states: “Why should
the menu be unnecessarily increased for the satisfaction of the tongue?
Devotees should eat as simply as possible. Otherwise, attachment for
material things will gradually increase, and the senses, being very strong,
will soon require more and more material enjoyment. Then the real business
of life—to advance in Krsna consciousness—will stop.”
Needless to say, this instruction is especially relevant for those in the
last phase of life….
All these aspects have to be cultivated internally, which can go on over
several years. It is not a matter of externally accepting them from one day
to another. It is a matter of meditation, internal cultivation and
transformation. And ultimately these aspects are meant to help us deepen
our focus on sravanam and kirtanam.
And there are of course so many more aspects of Vanaprastha life, which we
discussed in our course, the most obvious one being no more sex life.
One may ask how this topic of the Vanaprastha ashram is connected with the
topic of culture. Interesting to note how in materialistic culture where
sense gratification is the ultimate goal of life old age is viewed as being
the last chance to one more time enjoy life to the fullest, with luxury
cruises and pleasure trips, in all comfort, leasure and opulence. Also, in
modern society old people are considered to be a burden, and thus they are
pushed aside into Old Age Homes and Retirement Centers. The elderly can’t
keep up the race for sense gratification and are seen to be a disturbance
in the pursuits of enjoyment of the young generation. However, in spiritual
culture where self realization is the goal of life, the elderly are very
important members of society and embody life experience, wisdom and self
realization. They are highly respected for their guidance and advice, and
are passing down traditions and values to the young generation. And it is
understood that this last phase of life is meant to be lived in simplicity
and austerity to increase hearing and chanting, to ultimately prepare for
death. As long as we find it difficult to embrace spiritual culture, the
Vanaprastha Ashram will not really manifest. And as we will be able to more
and more apply and actually live our world view and philosophy, very
naturally the Vanaprastha Ashram will gradually develop. It is a matter of
systematic training and education. I felt especially encouraged by the fact
that also young devotees showed interest in this topic and eagerly
participated in the course. It should be of general knowledge and interest.
Every devotee should receive insights in how old age is meant to be lived
within spiritual practice. Then devotees can plan their life and gradually
cultivate internal detachment.
The recordings of the course will be soon available on
www.therootsofspiritualculture.net