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An ashram should be a place where one could go to get the benefits of a spiritual atmosphere, metaphysical discussion, mystical meditation, and exemplary living; but the gap between what should be and what is, is often unfortunately too wide to be ignored. Those who look for little utopias in little ashrams may find them. But it will be only at the price of substituting imagination for reality. Unfortunately, wishful thinking finds this easy. Cozily huddled, half-asleep, or fully a-dream in their ashrams, what did the war mean to them? It meant nothing where its thunder did not actually break in upon their complacent lives.

-- Notebooks Category 3: Relax and Retreat > Chapter 4 : Retreat Centres > # 165