Thank you for this inspirational post @julianhorack! I was drawn to meditation earlier on in my life too and lived at the center for a couple of years but never so much that I renounced everything and took robes. What a difference that must have made to spend 10 years in an ashram, you would have a completely different mindset than those living a layman's life. Did you find it hard to adjust once you left the ashram? I know I enjoy having my meditation studio and home in the forest so I can retreat from the craziness of the world and I find it is the meditation practice that is one of the most important things in my life and as I get older I want to let those other things which are more of a distraction - fall away. So happy that you found your way into the Mindful Life Community and I look forward to reading more of your wonderful posts!