During this time you will be given a general orientation toward the principles of ashram life, spiritual practise, bhakti yoga, karma yoga, communal living, and prasadam (blessed food) preparation. The duration of this programme is 1 or 2 weeks. It costs only £50 per week, which includes accommodation, food, instruction, and all programmes and facilities. Karma Yoga is 4 hours per day plus lunch preparation on this programme. Participation is available every week throughout the year, space permitting. Working as a part of the Karma Yoga Retreat Programme is an educational experience, and provides an opportunity for you to be in retreat, and at the same time to experience the benefits of living within a spiritually focused community, to develop your spiritual practice within a structure alongside others, and to be yourself in a place which is open and supportive of that. This programme provides a place to set yourself and your preferences aside for a while and practice Karma Yoga (selfless service), to deepen in self-discovery and become inspired to live a more spiritually fulfilling life. What you receive from being here will be directly reflective of what you give. It
is a good idea to read our principles (available on-line) which underline
the fundamentals of what we are committed to. Spiritual
Practice Availability
Elahn is the contact when you want to arrange to book onto either programme. There is an application form on the last page of this document for you to complete which will assist us in organising your stay here. Radha (Gisela) is the ashram manager and home care volunteer co-ordinator and will orientate you to the home space and daily karma yoga (work assignment) each day. Working Hours: Karma Yogis/volunteers are expected to work in a contemplative mood. For those on the Karma Yoga Retreat Programme, the main work period is usually from 9.30 am – 1.30 pm or 14.00 to 18.00 or 18.00 to 22.00 Hrs. which includes lunch preparation from 12.45 pm (clearing away after lunch is also included in your duties). There is a meeting at 9.15 am for participants with the co-ordinator where we check-in and after which karma yoga assignments are given. Food provided (all organic where possible) is breakfast superfood smoothie (banana, hemp milk, superfood powder, spirulina, ginger) and fresh fruit, muesli and hemp or rice milk, plus herbal tea), and lunch (usually a soup, seaweed or avocado dish, fresh salads, seeds, dressing, etc). Evening food – volunteers can make up a plate at lunchtime to eat in the evening, or prepare something later themselves from the kitchen. Occasionally an evening meal is made collectively. PLEASE NOTE: Monday is fasting day at Shekinashram. We use this day as an opportunity to be more internally reflective, and therefore no food is prepared on this day except breakfast (which is optional). If you do not wish to join us on this fast then you are free to leave the ashram to eat in town when you are on your free time. Filtered water, fresh fruit and herbal teas are available to you throughout the day. Lunch is always the main meal of the day here at the Ashram. Accommodation
Additional
facilities we can offer are the use of Internet and sauna. Internet
is pay as you go, charged at £1 per 30mins. Please note: The office
and Internet facility is only open for use between 13.30 pm and 10pm.
Your charge for the sauna is £2.00 per time. All phone calls are
to be made using the payphone in the hallway or personal mobile phone.
If you have any questions or would like to discuss any of the above further, please contact Elahn who will be pleased to assist you. Please
be aware that when you have agreed to come here on this programme, you
are making a commitment to yourself and to us, and we are relying upon
your participation. Payment for the programme is payable in advance.
Download
this information and application form here |
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