Brahmacharya Ashrama (0-25 years) This ashrama
is divided into two parts with the purpose of
acknowledging our original freedom of transcendence and our gradual adaptation
to the immanent. The earliest parts of our lives
begin in infancy and childhood in the parents’ home. Parents are considered to be our first "Gurus," teachers. They give us the language we speak, teach us our most basic skills and introduce us to the social norms of the culture into which we are born. Psychological, spiritual formation begins in our infancy, and some would say, even earlier, in our mother's womb.
The Brahmacharya ashrama is the period of early formation during which a child is imbued with the culture and values of the society in which she/he lives. Traditionally, for boys, this ashrama included a period of study, during which a student cultivates the mind and prepares for future service to society in the ashram of a guru. By living with a teacher who acts as a spiritual parent, leading an austere life, conserving energy, fulfilling proscribed duties of the tradition, showing respect to elders and teachers, the student becomes acquainted with the traditional cultural and spiritual values. Students, rich and poor, live under the same roof and receive the same attention. When the studies are completed, the teacher releases the pupil with final instructions on how to live the next phase of life. Traditionally, the choice was either to remain a Brahmcharya, i.e., single and dedicated to the spiritual life, or to move on to the Grihastha phase of life as a married householder. Traditionally, women were not given the opportunity for gurukul living or a choice about becoming a householder or sadhu.
The Brahmacharya ashrama is the period of early formation during which a child is imbued with the culture and values of the society in which she/he lives. Traditionally, for boys, this ashrama included a period of study, during which a student cultivates the mind and prepares for future service to society in the ashram of a guru. By living with a teacher who acts as a spiritual parent, leading an austere life, conserving energy, fulfilling proscribed duties of the tradition, showing respect to elders and teachers, the student becomes acquainted with the traditional cultural and spiritual values. Students, rich and poor, live under the same roof and receive the same attention. When the studies are completed, the teacher releases the pupil with final instructions on how to live the next phase of life. Traditionally, the choice was either to remain a Brahmcharya, i.e., single and dedicated to the spiritual life, or to move on to the Grihastha phase of life as a married householder. Traditionally, women were not given the opportunity for gurukul living or a choice about becoming a householder or sadhu.
