After weeks of indecision, I decided to abandon my life in L.A. and make the trip to India. I was through with rigid male attitudes, and a change was needed.
My journey to Ashram 64 in the state of Bihar involved plane, bus, taxi, and walking. Fortunately I was expected, and a tiny clean room had been set aside for me. It turned out than Ingrid, one of the yoginis, had been allocated to me for a couple of weeks to explain the life. She spoke very gently, and was very grateful for my journey. Though physically attracted to her (she wore very light robes and her lithe body was apparent) I knew I would have to rise above this if I was to stay. As it turned out, I would get lots of help in this area.
The following day, Ingrid explained the philosophy of Ashram 64, allowing me to ask questions. Below, I recount the main points.
Ashram 64 was created to change stereotypical gender viewpoints. It provided a place for yoginis to practice yoga, research and translate eastern philosophies, and create 'new men' who could eventually return to the world with a changed viewpoint, thus helping to disseminate the ideas.
My work here would involve an initial learning period, followed by a test. After this, I would work in farming, gardening, and generally assisting the yoginis to maintain the ashram. There was no charge, and no payment. Ingrid would instruct me initially, but then I was on my own. I would work alongside a few other males, but would get no further tuition. I was expected to be self-reliant, not consuming major periods of a yogini's time.
Basically, the ashram's concept was that the woman can be viewed as a superior being, and that the closest that males could get to this state of being was by becoming more feminine. Males could overcome testosterone urges with the aid of yoga and meditation, and could return to the world as examples of what is possible. The yoginis were well aware of ideas in forced feminization, the wearing of women's clothes, but these were regarded as too culturally influenced (who would wear high heels and lipstick in an ashram?) and violent. If men were to become kind and gentle, then using force was counter-productive - a bad example.
More details were provided later. For the first three days, I was put on a juice fast, and instructed to give myself a daily enema with the equipment provided. For the rest of the time I could explore the neighbourhood and read spiritual tasks. The point of the cleanse was to remove the residue of meat products, which were regarded as bad. After the fast, my main diet would be flax seeds, soya milk (produced on the farm), and fruit. This ensured a good supply of phytoestrogens, which were thought to be important for feminization.
Several days later, Ingrid explained their concept of sexual control. Though women were to be worshipped, they were not to be regarded as sexual objects. Males had to grow above such base feelings. The western approach of orgasm denial or chastity was considered, but it was thought not to work, because males thought about orgasms more often when in such a state.
Instead, the ashram used a combination of four techniques. Cleansing (we might think of this a milking), clothing, postures, and meditation. The morning cleansing routine involved masturbation, shaving the body, cleaning the teeth and nasal passages, evacuation and bathing. The masturbation was to be done first, within one minute, and should involve as little pleasure as possible - however, it was important to have a full orgasm, not a ruined one, because the latter was unsatisfying and weighed on the mind excessively. The full orgasm reduced erections throughout the day, and lowered the libido in a natural way. When training under the guidance of Ingrid, I was to perform this behind a curtain. Then followed the other cleansing, as a form of ritual designed to distract the mind from what had just happened.