OUR CORE VALUES
Inclusion. Accessibility. Community. Practice. Compassion.
Inclusion
We recognize the differences, challenges, and adversities that each of us face, and provide a loving, nourishing space where all people are welcomed and supported to find themselves.
Accessibility
We offer various programs that support healthy living – mentally, physically and spiritually. Not limited to any one spiritual path, we offer diverse programs led by diverse staff who bring unique offerings and styles to our community.
Community
We recognize the divinity of each and every person on this planet. Together, we are building a community where all are honored and encouraged to discover their personal gifts and know the sacredness of their true selves.
Practice
Class by class, interaction by interaction, together we are learning to know, grow and share the fruits of our authentic selves in community.
Compassion
We recognize and honor each person’s unique journey and stand in the commitment to meet each other with deep reverence by supporting authentic expression and respectful communication.
Facing Life’s Challenges and Commitment to our Values
People of all faiths and backgrounds come to Guru Ram Das Ashram for many different reasons: to study and practice the teachings of yoga and healing arts, to experience life in a spiritual community, to create a private retreat and get rest and relaxation in a country location. Everyone comes to experience personal transformation and spiritual growth.
This ashram was founded through the inspiration and guidance of Yogi Bhajan who was reported to have brought kundalini yoga to the United States in 1969. His teachers and initial following started on the West Coast and grew over time, expanded to the East Coast and beyond. Over the last 50 or so years, teachers and practitioners have traveled far and wide to share in this style of yoga, building a worldwide community that now exists in many countries.
Fast forward to the year 2020, a year that none of us will forget, where transformation and change shook power structures all over the world in the forms of global and public health, social injustice, political unrest and financial crisis. No one was immune and the stress continues to be real. Our community was also shaken by the many reports of multiple misconduct allegations made against our founder, Yogi Bhajan. As revealed in a thorough investigation conducted by an independent third investigator, An Olive Branch, Yogi Bhajan misused his role and acted in unthinkable ways that completely conflicted with his teachings and values. We were completely devastated to learn from the report that the man we looked to as a spiritual teacher and a respected religious leader, abused his power and betrayed our trust. As longtime members of the larger worldwide community, we are deeply disturbed that we were blinded to the conditions that, according to the report, allowed such egregious actions. You can read the response from our national organization and the full unedited report here.
So where do we go from here? Many of us continue to identify with, practice and teach kundalini yoga as a pathway to consciousness and self-realization. We know based on our own unique, personal experiences that the practices, tools and traditions that we share have countless benefits that have supported many of us to find our sacred space within.
Perhaps this time is meant to shake us up and break us open to the realities that surround us. Perhaps this time is here to remind us to continue on our path to self realization, embodying our core values every step of the way.
We hope you join us in our mission of creating safe, sacred space where all people have the opportunity to reset, restore and return back to the essence of their true selves.
Our mission is to create sacred space where all people have the opportunity to access tools and programs that support their overall health and well-being.