Dear Friend,
We are very pleased that you are interested to join us on this retreat at the Dharmalaya project. On this page there is some more practical information to help you get a feel for the retreat. If you feel like joining us please fill out the registration form by following the link at the bottom of the page.

The Dharmalaya project:

The Dharmalaya Institute is an innovative educational and charitable institution. In the tradition of Mahatma Gandhi's Sabarmati Ashram, which united social service with personal development, the Dharmalaya Institute will offer an integrated programme of experiential learning, economic empowerment, traditional wisdom and volunteer service.

The Institute will provide 'green' job skills for rural labourers and will serve as a model showcasing sustainable living practises such as eco-friendly construction, high-yield organic agriculture, renewable energy and more. It will also serve as a destination for altruistic ecotourism where international visitors will work side-by-side with villagers to develop and implement solutions for sustainable village development while learning about Himalayan culture and its wisdom traditions.
For more info about the Dharmalaya project see www.dharmalaya.in

The retreat:

The work retreat will be preceded by a silent meditation retreat this year. We find this helpful towards the experience of the retreat as a whole; to slow down and connect before engaging with the work. In many ways the two parts of the retreat compliment each other.

If you would like to do only one of the two parts of the retreat; just the silent retreat or just the work retreat, please choose the appropriate one on the registration form.

Throughout the work retreat we will offer simple instructions to bring together contemplation and meaningful action to integrate spiritual, ecological and social transformation.

Being in nature and working on the land can be a deeply satisfying and healing experience. When combined with contemplation, presence and spirited company, caring for the earth can become a profound and symbolic act of giving and receiving, of nourishing and being nourished, a celebration of life, a gesture of love. We hope this opportunity to work communally, close to the earth, will allow us to be open and directly experience our inter-connectedness with all of life.
The days will combine 5-6 hours of work with time for meditation and reflection. The days will include some silent periods.

The work:

We will be participating in the creation of the Dharmalaya institute, engaged primarily in sustainable development work. This will include green building, organic gardening, and permaculture landscaping.

Location:

The Dharmalaya project is located near the town of Bir in the Himalayan foothills. Bir is 2-4 hours travel by taxi/bus from the more well known town of Dharamsala in Himachal Pradesh

Cost:

500 rupees a day. Making it a total of 10,000 rupees for the 20 days. Or 3,500 rupees for the silent retreat, and 6,000 for the work retreat.

This covers all your accomodation and food costs. (Please note there is one rest day between the silent retreat and work retreat.)

The retreat will be facilitated by Zohar Lavie and Nathan Glyde.

To register for this retreat please fill out the form.

For any questions please contact us