When I came to Yasodhara Ashram in August 2018, I didn’t know it yet, but I had already begun a journey out of a deep valley that I had, ever so slowly, descended into over the years. I thought: I will do this 10 day course, and then I’ll find my next step, and everything will be better.
Turns out, my next step was to immerse myself in the teachings, the practices and the community offered at the ashram even deeper. The YDC was only the first step, and I like to compare it to a gift that keeps unpacking. Even now, after ending up living and working at the ashram for 3.5 years, there are still moments when I suddenly realize something, or am reminded of something that came up during the three month course and think “Oh yeah, that’s different now!” (or not – and acknowledging that that’s okay too is maybe one of the most precious gifts I’ve been able to unwrap within myself).
This is a gift that I will always carry with me, no matter what else happens.
Jess Schroeter