About Achalam Eco- Ashram in Vediyappanur Road, Vediyappanur Village, Tiruvannamalai

Achalam is an eco-ashram at the foot of the sacred mountain Arunachala that plays host to pilgrims doing pradakshina around the mountain, guests on retreat, international work camps serving the local community, and meditation/ yoga retreats.

Achalam Her-story
The land was bought in 2008 upon the passing of my father and the sale of our family home in Australia. I had already met my spiritual father, Mooji, and surrendered to Arunachala so it felt right to lay all my happily-ever-after family dreams at the foot of this blessed mountain.

The grace of living near Arunachala and dedication to the Advaita non-dual path of self-discovery represented pure inspiration for buying the land, and a vision to share this grace with others. Values of buying as much land as possible provided two acres of space to share, and to buy it close to the pradakshina road, has made it easy access for walking around the mountain.

The initial focus was to provide food and shelter to sadhus and the pilgrims who came for pradakshina, but as more people feel the calling to Arunachala more huts have been built for people to rest in the heart of this sacred mountain. Today we have a stone house, mud house, and a hairy house with two toilets and bathroom, with plans to build more, by the grace of Arunachala.

Living Consciously
Achalam eco-ashram is established on the idealism of living sustainably in harmony with nature, which is proving to be a learning work in progress. For building, so far we have experimented with mud, bamboo, coconut leaf, wild lemon grass, stone and iron. The sustainability vision is to take Achalam completely off the grid with solar power, water harvesting, organic farming and so on. Other practices like minimizing the use of plastics come from sustained awareness by those living on and visiting the land.

Achalam Guiding Principles
Like in any ashram, setting guidelines are an essential part of supporting the spiritual focus for which it is intended. Over the years it has become clear that all who come need to have a basis of understanding to sustain Achalam’s development and soul intention of providing an eco-friendly community space in support of self-contemplation.

Being Accountable
It is strongly advised that visitors be conscious of their purchases and in particular what toiletries they use or the plastics they bring to Achalam. There is no ‘away’ on the land as there is no rubbish collection facility so we are responsible for either burning or burying all the rubbish.

Covering-up
Living with Indian values, among sadhus, and with renunciated types it is important to restrict body exposure and especially to respect the Indian tradition of women covering their body, despite the temperature. Liberation doesn’t come from being free with the body but free from body mind focus, and to support this it is important to not bring attention to the body.

Inner Focus
The power of impersonal relations supports community living and inward focus. It is the vision at Achalam to respect the spiritual search of self-focus with inclusive relationships rather than other-focus of exclusive relationships. For this purpose it is encouraged that couples find their individual space within the Achalam community.

All who feel drawn to this blessed land are welcome by the grace of Arunachala.