Life Changes for Alakananda Ma and Sadananda

As we enter the  dark time of solstice, awaiting rebirth of the light, Alandi Ashram is undergoing a  process of endings and new beginnings. This transformation in our lives has been a journey, and we recognize that you, as part of our community of the heart, may feel similarly as you read these words. We hope and trust that you will find inspiration and healing as you learn of the renewal we are experiencing.

 

It has become clear to us that this is a time for Alakananda Ma and Sadanandaji to enter a new phase of life within the traditional Vedic template of the ashramas or stages of life. According to Vedic dharma, there are four stages of life.  Brahmacharya, the stage of a celibate student, occupies the first twenty eight year cycle of Saturn. Grihastashrama or householder life occupies the next twenty eight years. The elder couple then enters into vanaprastha or the renounced order of forest dwellers, gradually transitioning into sannyas, total renunciation in a celibate life of dedication to the Whole.  Ma and Sadanandaji, having a natural inclination to renunciation, bypassed  the householder stage and have lived together as vanaprasthas for an entire twenty eight year Saturn cycle.

 

At this time, Alakananda Ma is discerning a call to enter into the full state of sannyas, something she has been preparing for throughout her life. Ma feels that as a sannyasini, she will experience more completely that all beings are her own and that she belongs to each one of us.  At the same time, Sadananda is heeding a call from the Feminine to experience the unique lessons of family life as a householder Yogi. In an expansion of the crucible of love created between Alakananda and Sadananda, Matrupriya (Joyce Linbrunner) and her daughter Gabby will be Sadananda's companions in the exploration of these new dimensions of his being.  Matrupriya is a massage therapist and Ayurveda student who will be offering Pancha Karma therapies for Alakananda Ma's patients. The nurturing mother energy of Matrupriya and Alakananda Ma's profound  embodiment of  Divine Mother's heart will provide a full spectrum of the feminine within the matrix of Alandi Ashram. 

 

Alakananda Ma and Sadananda will continue their life commitment as spiritual companions within this new context. Initially, for reasons of space, Matrupriya and Sadananda will be residing a short distance away from the ashram proper. However, we continue to cherish the vision of creating a sustainable land-based community which will provide a permanent home for Alandi Ashram, where the family of Sadananda and  Matrupriya can reside together with Ma and her students. Ma will be happy to address any questions or comments  you may have regarding these changes You can call her at 303 786 7437