Family life (and the home itself) should be an ashrama, a place for spiritual culture. • The grihastha ashrama is considered higher than the brahmachari ashrama, an opportunity for personal and spiritual growth by extending one’s responsibility. • Mutual respect between the ashramas is an essential feature of a healthy society. • Personal growth and character formation are integral to the process of spiritual development. • Though Vaisnava theology values ultimate renunciation, such renunciation has to be internal and mature. Otherwise it is inappropriate and may be dangerous both individually and socially. Read more › Family life (and the home itself) should be an ashrama, a place for spiritual culture. • The grihastha ashrama is considered higher than the brahmachari ashrama, an opportunity for personal and spiritual growth by extending one’s responsibility. • Mutual respect between the ashramas is an essential feature of a healthy society. • Personal growth and character formation are integral to the process of spiritual development. • Though Vaisnava theology values ultimate renunciation, such renunciation has to be internal and mature. Otherwise it is inappropriate and may be dangerous both individually and socially. Read more ›