From Monk to Maybe Married
When I first thought of the name Married Monk, I laughed. I never imagined myself getting married. And well—I’m still not. But lately, it feels like the universe is nudging me toward something unexpected.
This blog began as a personal brand to share my knowledge and monetise it. But now, it has shifted. It’s not a business. It’s a personal log of my spiritual and worldly journey—how I’m living, what I’m facing, and what’s evolving.
Leaving Isha Ashram: The Hardest Yes
I once planned to stay at the Isha Ashram as a full-time volunteer. It felt like the right step—but I eventually left. It wasn’t an easy decision. Until the very last moment, I kept my options open, just in case I changed my mind.
Deep down, I knew I wasn’t there just for seva. I was subconsciously escaping the responsibilities of money and relationships. But here’s the truth I couldn’t ignore: even in the ashram, your inner baggage follows you. You can’t outrun life—not even in a spiritual haven. You either transcend it, or face it head-on.
The Unseen Thread of Family
I’ve always leaned toward detachment, but I could never detach from my parents completely. They’ve never asked me to stay, but I know they feel joy every time I’m home.
Recently, I came across a reel on Instagram where a father said:
“I asked my son to score fewer marks. If he had scored more, he’d be in the US making 5 lakhs a month. Now he earns ₹50,000—but we eat dinner at the same table.”
That hit me hard. In chasing what’s “necessary,” what are we silently sacrificing?
Now that my brother is staying home, I feel like my parents, though silent, deeply wish we were both around. My mother still works—not out of financial need, but to avoid emptiness. My father stays home, often bored, calling us throughout the day, seeking connection.
A Wake-Up Call From the Universe
During my last visit home, I was doing my Yogasana in the morning when I got a call—my father had a minor heart attack. Thankfully, it wasn’t serious. But it shook me to the core.
Life is fragile—it can change in an instant.
That day, I realised something terrifying and liberating: until they are here, I can’t truly leave them. I’ll be free only when they’re gone forever. Until then, this is my karma, my path—and it’s okay.
Love, Unplanned
Somewhere in between, I said yes to Shilpi.
I still don’t know why.
I was convinced I didn’t want a relationship. But this became a turning point. I knew then—I couldn’t go back to the ashram. I carry an insecurity around money, especially now that someone may rely on me. Every father needs assurance. And her dreams… they’re big. And I have none, except for freedom—financial, emotional, spiritual.
Isha at Home: An Unexpected Gift
Something magical happened this time at home. My mother started meditating daily. I joined her, and then my father joined too.
For the last 10 days, all three of us have been doing Isha Kriya together.
I never thought I could influence them spiritually. I had accepted that they would live their way. But perhaps the visit to Dhyanalinga, or Sadhguru’s grace, touched something deeper.
Watching them sit in silence with me has been one of the most fulfilling moments of my life.
The Ashram Didn’t Leave Me
Though I left the ashram, it hasn’t left me. Sadhguru is with me—perhaps even more intensely now. I feel more devoted outside than I ever felt inside. There’s a strange sense of alignment now. I am where I need to be.
The Married Monk Still Walks Alone
Married Monk was never about marriage—it was about tracking my spiritual growth in the middle of worldly chaos. But it turns out, growth is not visible to your own eyes.
Still, I live a life of inner detachment, even as I handle responsibilities. If society values money and relationships, fine—we’ll play that game too. But we won’t forget the sadhana.
This space remains my mirror. A place where I write not for the world, but for myself.
Until Next Time
If you’ve read this far, thank you. If not, that’s okay too. This is my journal, and I’ll keep showing up—spiritually engaged, emotionally raw, and materially real.
See you tomorrow.