Can You Live in an Ashram for Free? (Best Places to Go)

If you would like to live in an ashram for free, there are certain things you will have to consider.

Here is the process of how to go about it. 

1. Determine where you want to go

There are ashrams worldwide, of different kinds, teaching varied practices, following individual schools of thought.

Choose an ashram based on what you most align with.

If you are seeking to deepen your yoga practice, the ashram should be about that; similarly, if you are seeking a religious, meditative, or spiritual bent, the ashram should be able to provide that. 

The location is important too. 

Assess if you are willing to travel to and live in another continent with a completely new culture, food, and weather.

2. Understand how the process works 

Every ashram has its own set of conditions and criteria for accepting applicants. You probably want to read their eligibility criteria carefully before you apply. 

For example, an ashram might mandate you to join their morning and evening worship every day, and you might not be comfortable with that. 

If you are ok with what you would be required to do and with what they teach and practice, the next step would be to go through the application form.

You could be asked several questions, some of them related to your past experience in that particular school of philosophy that the ashram stands for, your willingness to volunteer, and your consent to abide by their rules. 

You could also be asked to confirm that you are not suffering from any conditions that could affect your stay in the ashram. 

The process could, in some instances, also entail that you make a visit to the ashram, meet with them, and then determine if you would like to stay.

This happens mostly when one is applying for long-term stays of more than a few months. 

Some ashrams could ask you for a reference from someone who is a devotee of that ashram. 

3. Determine how long you want to stay 

This is a crucial point to consider.

Enthusiasm can sometimes come in the way of a realistic assessment of how long you would be able to stay in an ashram comfortably. 

If you have never lived in an ashram before, it is recommended to start small.

It might be better to extend your stay or visit again if you enjoy the experience rather than overcommit.

That said, the experience can be profoundly fulfilling if you are clear about what to expect. 

Also, keep in mind that certain practices need a minimum amount of time for you to benefit from them. 

An ashram that teaches silent meditation could mandate a minimum stay of ten days, or a yoga ashram might expect you to stay for at least a couple of weeks. 

Your stay should be neither too short, preventing you from having a complete experience, nor too long for you to feel restless. 

4. Apply

The one tip for increasing your chances of being accepted into the ashram is to be earnest. 

You could be given a choice for the kind of volunteering you would like to undertake; some ashrams could ask for some familiarity with their teachings or philosophy before they admit you. 

You could also be directly assigned a volunteering activity and should be willing to take it up. 

Your application can be rejected for a number of reasons.

Ashrams have limited capacity, and they could be experiencing a busy time. They might feel that you need more familiarity with their school before they accept you in, or they could be looking for some specific skills for volunteering, and you might not fit the bill. 

If that happens, do not feel disheartened and continue to seek your path. 

We now list some of the best ashrams worldwide where you can stay for free.