I also was in the ashram for 9 years; actually 9 of my 10 years of being a premie were in the ashram.   Sounds like you didn't actually "leave" the ashrams -- they were closed, weren't they?  The timing sounds right.

I wonder, Ghi, what do you think the ashram was all about, and do you think it was a good idea that you spent 9 years there, like your entire 20s?  Do you think that was helpful, or healthy for your life?  Would you do the same if you had it to do over again?

And if it was just a phase, or something that changed, why was Maharaji so keen on us not moving out of the ashrams if we wanted to?  What was that about?

Also, was it just a phase when Maharaji demanded total devotion and surrender to him?  Was that just one of those "changes" that always go on?  What was that about, Ghi?