Sadhana Kendra Ashram is located in the village named Dumet (Barwala) in Ashok Ashram post office limit, in the district of Dehradun, in the state of Uttarakhand, in Northern India. It is a spiritual centre that was founded in a successful manner by Shri Chandra Swamiji Udasin. It was established as a solitary spot for dedicated and sincere seekers of Truth to practice spiritual sadhana and meditation with a lot of perfection. It is successfully run by Seekers Trust which is a charitable and spiritual organization founded in 1970 by Swamiji. It is to be highly remembered that it isn't a hatha yoga centre or a tourist spot.

It is the right place for wholeheartedly indulging in selfless service, meditation and prayer. In the ashram throughout the year, four silent meditation sessions with duration of 1 hour each are held daily. It is very strictly mandatory for each and everyone staying in this ashram to give attendance at all four meditation sessions daily. A significant part of the ashram routine is selfless service or seva. It is highly expected that seekers in the ashram wholeheartedly participate in seva activities such as chopping vegetables, washing dishes, etc. in the ashram, any type of visitors without prior permission aren't permitted to stay.

Daily Routine of Sadhana Kendra Ashram

• Early morning first meditation session from 4.30am to 5.30am

• Breakfast at 6am

• Seva at 6.30am

• Second meditation session from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m.

• Satsang from 11:30 to 12:30 p.m.

• Lunch at 12:30 p.m.

• Seva at 1:30 p.m.

• Third Meditation session from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.

• Tea at 5:00 p.m.

• Fourth meditation session plus Kirtan (devotional singing) from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

• Dinner at 8:00 p.m.

• Gate Closed at 8:45 p.m.

Ashram Prayer of Sadhana Kendra Ashram

According to Swamiji self-effort alone isn't enough but a good deal of regular practice, discipline and sincerity are largely required in order to gain mastery over one's mind in any given situations and circumstances of life. It is to be noted that self-effort is just confined within space and time. In order to completely transcend the mind plus rightly enter the spaceless and timeless realm of Absolute Bliss and Absolute Consciousness, the wholehearted grace of God is also really needed. Swamiji for this main reason gives great emphasis on the significance of prayer in spiritual sadhana, as the main prayer performed with love and faith attracts the grace of God. In response to the earnest request of an adherent devote, Swamiji many years ago has written two prayers in a powerful meanings. At the beginning of the initial three daily meditation sessions, the day prayer is read. The evening prayer is read before the kirtan (devotional singing) at the 6:30 pm meditation session. In Hindi language, both prayers are also read. They have also been translated into Punjabi, French, Hebrew and Chinese.

The Art of Meditation by Sadhana Kendra Ashram

Swamiji has classified into three basic categories, the different methods of meditation that are practiced in different religious and spiritual traditions. They are the witnessing method, the positive method and the negative method. The witnessing method deals with simply observing the mind plus indulging in whatsoever images, thoughts or emotions which may directly or indirectly arise in it, as a detached witness without purely getting involved directly or indirectly in any situations and circumstances. The positive method deals with using a best support, like any one single mantra or name, form, or idea directly connected with the God or Divine in order to concentrate the mind perfectly upon to make it silent and one-pointed.

The negative method deals with rejecting all emotions and thoughts that arise in the mind during the time of meditation. In Swamiji's book, titled "The Practical Approach to Divinity", all these said methods of meditation are clearly described in detail. As per Swamiji, all these said methods are really capable of making the mind peaceful and silent, thus directly leading to Realization. On the other hand, in one's spiritual path, he largely places special and greater emphasis on the importance and efficacy of self-surrender plus prayer along with self-effort.

Meditation Hall Rules of Sadhana Kendra Ashram

The soul of the ashram is the meditation hall. It is a spot of quietude that is readily available to all the devotees and seekers at all times staying in the ashram for the wholehearted practice of prayer, meditation and japa. In order to ensure the sanctity of the meditation hall, certain strict rules and regulation are drafted by swamji and the management committee. This was done only maintain the ashram's atmosphere remains better conducive for contemplation under any given situations and circumstances.

All the four daily meditation sessions must be attended by all those who are staying in the ashram. Only those who are sick or indulged in seva are allowed to skip the daily meditation sessions. The daily schedule of group meditation happens at:

• Early morning first meditation session from 4.30am to 5.30am

• Second meditation session from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m

• Third Meditation session from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m

• Fourth meditation session plus Kirtan (devotional singing) from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m

In the meditation hall do sit in a stable posture, straight and quietly. Check out that others aren't disturbed and that sleep doesn't overpower you. There are several methods to practice meditation and remember God. In this meditation hall, seekers are actually free to repeat any particular name of God in which they have really have faith and to wholeheartedly practice the japa of the mantra that is received from their immediate Guru, or to rightly practice any given technique of meditation that is really suitable to them. The japa or practice shouldn't be load but done mentally in such a manner that others aren't disturbed in any situations and circumstances.

All should maintain punctuality in attending the regular group meditation sessions. Late coming and early leaving from the meditation hall is not permitted. The seekers aren't allowed to talk with others in the hall. Small kids aren't allowed to participate with their parents in the meditation sessions because they can't sit quiet for the whole session of meditation and it may disturb others. While staying in the ashram, the seekers aren't allowed to go out of the given premises without any prior permission from the management.

It is to be highly noted that in the ashram it is really forbidden to indulge in yoga practice, write, read, lie down or indulge in any other activities at any time in the meditation hall. Even doing pranayama isn't allowed. In the hall please no mobile phones. In the meditation hall, use of fragrances and perfumes is prohibited. All should cooperate and coordinate with their instructors and staffs of the ashram. They shouldn't deviate in any given situations and circumstances from the given strict rules and regulations of this ashram. There may be changes in the rules and regulations without any prior notice in certain situations and circumstances prevailing within the premises or out of the ashram premises. Rules and regulations are framed for the well-being of the seekers and ashram's staffs. It is to be noted that ashram isn't a military established with many strict discipline and several rules and regulations to be followed by the seekers.