Catholic Ashrams

jerry_joseph · #1 Sep 19, '11, 1:18 pm

I would like to introduce to you eastern face of catholic church. Church successfuly mingled with eastern traditions and developed a new catholic monastrial life based on Eastern Culture..

Informations about few catholic ashrams are given below.

Kurishu Mala Ashram - Established by Benedictine Monks

http://www.vagamon.com/kurisumala/kurisumala.htm

http://www.kurisumalaashram.org

Shantivanam Ashram -Established by benedictine Monks.

http://www.bedegriffiths.com

Darsanalaya Ashram - Established by Carmelite Monks

http://www.darsanalaya.org

John of Woking · #2 Sep 19, '11, 1:43 pm

Ashram? Sounds like a sham

George Stegmeir · #3 Sep 19, '11, 2:08 pm

When I was a kid in South Florida, I remember hearing Jesuit missionaries to Haiti talking about how a household in Haiti would have a shrine to Mary or one of the Saints on one side of the room and a voodoo shrine on the other side of the room. When I asked why it was allowed by them, they explained that voodoo was such an ingrained part of Haitian life that tolerating it was the only way they could keep the Haitian people in the faith.
So be it with ashrams.

CatholicLife · #4 Sep 19, '11, 4:44 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by George Stegmeir

When I was a kid in South Florida, I remember hearing Jesuit missionaries to Haiti talking about how a household in Haiti would have a shrine to Mary or one of the Saints on one side of the room and a voodoo shrine on the other side of the room. When I asked why it was allowed by them, they explained that voodoo was such an ingrained part of Haitian life that tolerating it was the only way they could keep the Haitian people in the faith.
So be it with ashrams.

If people practiced voodoo then what did these missionaries do over there?

Monica4316 · #5 Sep 19, '11, 5:29 pm

I'm sorry I disagree with merging Catholicism with anything Eastern unless it's Eastern Christianity. The Eastern religions are based on very different principles and their practices are reflective of this.

Dorothy · #6 Sep 19, '11, 5:42 pm

Those sites don't look or sound Catholic.

Pambo · #7 Sep 19, '11, 6:12 pm

I would be very cautious about these movements which tend to not be orthodox. Years ago, before I knew better, I was highly interested in this type of thing. I was duped by some Hindu "gurus" before my conversion and so this spirituality was a natural attraction for me at first, being a blend of Hindu meditative practices and Catholic imagery.

One of the chief figures in this movement was a British Benedictine monk named Bede Griffiths that became somewhat of a priest/guru in India. He's a fascinating character, actually. I began reading some of his works, and although I believe he meant well in the beginning, his experiement crossed the line into indifferentism and a sort of neo-Gnosticism. The more I learned and grew to love the authentic Church teaching and tradition, the more I could sense something was not right with the writings of Dom Griffiths.

He felt that Western Christianity was spiritually impovershed due to a lack of the mystical and that he'd found that missing link in the spirituality of Hinduism. If only he'd turned instead to the authentic traditions of the Eastern churches, he may have found what he was looking for.

This is also the sort of thing that inspired aspects of the "centering prayer" movement as well as many of those confused nuns who began to teach yoga at retreat houses.

chaldobyzantine · #8 Sep 19, '11, 6:59 pm

Not only does this disgust me, but it frightens me for the sake of those fooled into believing this form of "Christianity" should even be spread in India.

I highly doubt that Benedictines and Carmelites would support such a dubious form of syncretism in India.

It seems to also insult the longstanding Indian Christian traditions of monasticism such as those of the Syro-Malabar and Syro-Malankara. I do not know what this is, but I doubt any Catholic, Orthodox, or Protestant would support it.

Lord Have Mercy

Pambo · #9 Sep 19, '11, 8:40 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by chaldobyzantine

I highly doubt that Benedictines and Carmelites would support such a dubious form of syncretism in India.

It seems to also insult the longstanding Indian Christian traditions of monasticism such as those of the Syro-Malabar and Syro-Malankara. I do not know what this is, but I doubt any Catholic, Orthodox, or Protestant would support it.

Lord Have Mercy

Unfortunately, Fr. Griffiths and other similar thinkers did become somewhat influential among some Western monastics during the 70's, 80's, 90's. As I said, in many retreat houses and monasteries this sort of thing became fashionable, and is probably still lingering in some aging communities. I happened to purchase the writings of Bede Griffiths I mentioned in my earlier post from a Trappist monastery bookstore/giftshop. The unofficial website of the Benedictine Order also has a link to the Bede Griffiths association - but I stress unofficial.

The influence was enough that the CDF's released this document on what constitutes authentic Christian meditation:
http://www.ewtn.com/library/curia/cdfmed.htm

Edit: I shouldn't say it was the only reason the CDF released that document. I'm sure it had to do also with the general attraction of the modern culture to Far Eastern and New Age spirituality.

Diakonia · #10 Sep 20, '11, 12:06 am

While making no judgement as to the appropriateness of this form of monasticism, I'd note that His Beatitude Moran Mar Cleemis Basilios, Major-Archbishop and Catholicos of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church speaks highly of one of these in response to its golden jubilee. I, for one, am not quick to second-guess the primatial hierarch of a Church sui iuris.

Pambo · #11 Sep 20, '11, 7:40 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Diakonia

While making no judgement as to the appropriateness of this form of monasticism, I'd note that His Beatitude Moran Mar Cleemis Basilios, Major-Archbishop and Catholicos of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church speaks highly of one of these in response to its golden jubilee. I, for one, am not quick to second-guess the primatial hierarch of a Church sui iuris.

I'm not saying that every one of these sort of monasteries is involved in the indifferentism and gnosticism I spoke of. There is absolutely nothing wrong with inculturation and it was encouraged by the Church for religious communities to try and adapt to their surrounding culture. Sorry if I was painting with a broad brush. What I was talking about is disobedience and heterodox ideas among some of the founding members of certain ashrams and their influence on spreading New Age teachings among Catholic monks and nuns in the West.

Pambo · #12 Sep 20, '11, 8:39 am

Here is a video of Fr. Bede Griffiths in his own words for those interested.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jWG-m...eature=related

Ahimsa · #13 Sep 20, '11, 8:59 am

Good work.

Alexander Roman · #14 Sep 20, '11, 10:15 am

The websites presented by Jerry Joseph above are all perfectly Catholic monasteries existing with the (enthusiastic) approval of the Church. Indian/Syriac Orthodox leaders applaud them and their work of translating Indian Orthodox service books - a very high compliment indeed.

I have received the full complement of their Syriac Daily Office (I have since donated it to an Indian seminarian who wanted one), They do amazing work in this regard as well as genuine inculturation which is the Church's mission in Asia.

Yes, they don't look or feel like what we, Roman and Byzantine Catholics, recognize to be "Catholic Christian." But that is because we view them from within our own European/North American POV.

It is also true that North American Catholic enthusiasts of all things Asian often make little effort to distinguish between what is authentically "Asian Catholic" and what is simply an importation of a practice of another religion.

The early Church first faced this challenge itself when it confronted pagan Rome and the pre-Christian philosophers.

Let us let Indian Christians be who they are culturally and as Fr. Roberto di Nobili SJ first began the process of integrating the faith and love of Christ with Indian identity. As Father Thomas Merton once wrote, Christ is already present among those of other faiths. It is our job as missionaries to point Him out to them so they may know Him and give themselves to Him.

Alex

joeantony · #15 Sep 20, '11, 10:18 am

Hi All,

In fact I was quite surprised and initially quite distressed reading the responses which i initially thought were very very "ignorant". Later I realized the mistake I made. The spirituality that is practiced by these so called monks are not something that is common at all in Kerala where the Syro Malabar Syro Malankara Catholic churches co exist.

After living here for all my life, I can say that Catholicism clearly , very clearly distinguishes itself from other religions here. I do not mean to say that Catholicism that we see here has exactly the same look and feel that Catholicism in Europe or Americas has.

Many monasteries and convents are named like "Ashram" etc. These are the Indian Sanskrit words that is equivalent to monastery, convent etc. However the nuns and monks or priests there do not dilute the real Catholic faith. Catholics in India never felt the need to mix it with anything else because Catholic faith itself is sufficient, fuller, complete .....

I am not so sure if the Bishops and Cardinals in Kerala is supportive of this specific kind of Christian Spirituality that is practiced by the said monks or priests, especially when they mix Yoga and Vedas along with Catholicism. I remember a clear and daring statement from Archbishop asking Catholics not to practice Yoga.

Kerala Catholics are purely and surely on the right path , on apostolic tradition, Jesus, Holy Eucharist, Devotion to Mary and Bible. I don't find any catholic who are not satisfied by these and who want to "enrich" Catholicism by adding Yoga and Vedas. No offense, but its news to me!

I rather trust the Bishop's council here and accept their say in this matter. ( Apostolic tradition......)
With prayers,
Joe

Joe