Sant Bani Ashram[1] of Ribolla was founded by Satguru Sirio Carrapa in 1979.[2]
One of the main purpose of founding the ashram was to spread and keep alive the teachings of the Sant Mat Path as transmitted by Sant Kirpal Singh and Sant Ajaib Singh to Sirio. Nowadays it is Sirio's main spiritual center and his private residence is also located here.
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Sirio describes the place in his autobiography as it was a dusty, abandoned, cold and desolated place in the beginning. There was no electricity, water, or telephone.
After the foundation lot of hard work was done by him and other Italian Sant Mat disciples to transform the place. An artificial lake was created with a pump and aquifer system to serve all the houses with water. Many trees were planted and new buildings were constructed, such as separated dormitory for male and female guests, a big kitchen and dining room for cooking and eating, and also several bathrooms and lavatories. Also a separate satsang and meditation room was built, and a separate small wooden house was built with an own kitchen and bathroom for the accommodation of Sant Ajaib Singh.
There is also a separate massage room to practice Ayurvedic massage.
Sirio, the founder of the ashram, was the Italian representative of Sant Ajaib[3] and since its foundation many spiritual retreats have been organized in the Ashram.
This Sant Bani Ashram was also the location of three big European tours of Sant Ajaib Singh: in 1980,[4] 1984 and 1989 [5] with the participation of several hundred people.
After Ajaib Singh died in 1997, Sirio continued living in the ashram, spreading the teachings of Sant Mat and giving initiation to Surat Shabd Yoga as he was given the authority by Ajaib Singh before. An association under the name of "Sant Bani Ashram" was also founded. After that Sirio, who was originally the owner of the whole ashram (land and houses), donated the bigger part of his property to the association.
During the years further work was done in the ashram expanding and modernizing the main buildings with air conditioning and wood stoves etc. Ajaib Singh told Sirio to keep closed the small wooden house which was built for him to stay in, during his three tours. Ajaib also instructed Sirio to use this building for himself, like he used his small underground room, in which he meditated for long years, according to Kirpal Singh's instructions. Nowadays this little house is used for giving intiations and for private interviews with Sirio. Many meditations retreats are organized in the ashram every year by Sirio for his disciples and for anyone who is interested.
No money is asked from anybody, all programs are for free. Donations are accepted. Sant Mat teachings are the main rules of the place: a strict vegetarian diet is required, and also there are general rules to ensure the peace of the programs and the place.
Man and women have separated accommodation for sleeping, but there are some small rooms for families with small children etc.
Surat Shabd Yoga is the spiritual practice taught and practiced here. It consists of meditation on Inner Light and Sound, bhajan singing and seva.
It is generally possible to stay in the ashram only during retreats, but it's also possible to ask to the Master to visit the ashram and stay some days also outside retreats.
