In New York, as in some other places, they even had a pre-ashram, where people could test their committment to the austere lifestyle but also where the community coordinator or initiator could determine your "worthiness".

I also lived in a pre-ashram for at least six months before being accepted to move into the official DLM-approved ashram in Hartford, Conn.  It was also in the late 70s.  Other requirements were that all new ashramers had to be absolutely debt-free before approval for moving in and we had to have a job.  Ditto on the "worthiness factor" too.  Prior to moving into the ashram I lived with two other sisters in an apartment down the street from the ashram. We lived by the rules of the ashram, were supervised by the community coordinator, assigned service by him, and given "special" attention by the initiators whenever they passed through.  No one was allowed in the ashram if they were doing drugs, alcohol or smoking!  They wouldn't have been considered.

I remember that the term used to describe potential ashram candidates was:  Are they ashram material?

Cynthia