GREETINGS

Swamiji:

Our scriptures advise four stages in the life of a person called Ashrama Dharmas. The first is Brahmachryam in which you attain the knowledge that everything around is God itself. Next is Grihasthasramam when you live a life of commitment to your spouse, kids, family and society. Followed by Vanaprastham when you slowly renounce worldly life and focus more on spiritual pursuits and service and finally Sanyasa. I explained this to make you aware that the process of being a Sanyasi is also a process of “maturation to renunciation”. Once you are mentally ready to negate the world and its experiences (Samyak Nyasam), then you can be initiated into Sanyasam (the rituals are called Dhiksha) by someone who has walked this path before you. Hence, this Dhiksha is usually done in by a Guru or in an ashram in a particular order. It involves a lot of processes that prepare a person to mentally, physically and emotionally give up the world and all ties to it. It is vital that a person is ready and mature mentally for it, before going into it.  Once you enter Sanyasa, there is no return. So the process of mental readiness and maturation is more important than the Dhiksha itself. It is best done in an ashram under the guidance of a Guru. Hari Om.