Volunteer at a meditation center in New York State, USA

Availability

  2024 

 Min stay requested: at least a week

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Details

  • Description

    Description

    Our meditation center, a registered 501(c) (3) non-profit organization, is an internationally renowned meditation retreat center. Located in the beautiful Catskill Mountains two-hours north of New York City, we offer a traditional Buddhist Temple situated on 82 acres of grounds. Everyone is welcome to enjoy a peaceful environment, to hike on our trails, or to participate in the many programs offered throughout the year.

    Our Workaway Program is a great way to learn about Buddhism and meditation, to experience life in a retreat center, and to put your compassion and love into action. In exchange for volunteering, Workawayers receive dormitory accommodations, three vegetarian meals daily, and access to General Program classes and retreats when not volunteering.

    Our Workaway projects include:
    * Gardening and yard help
    * General cleaning
    * And many other projects

    We look forward to hearing from you!

  • Types of help and learning opportunities

    Types of help and learning opportunities

    Help with Eco Projects
    Gardening
    DIY and building projects
    Creating/ Cooking family meals
    Help around the house
    General Maintenance
  • Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    Our meditation center is part of an international spiritual community dedicated to achieving world peace through following the Buddhist path. Our community consists of residents who live onsite, including ordained monks and nuns and others who live locally. You will find a warm, friendly community striving to exemplify Buddhist practice through public service. This includes providing everyone regardless of background, experience or belief, the opportunity to learn how to achieve inner peace and happiness through meditation.

    The Temple also houses our cafe and bookstore and gift shop. The cafe offers locally roasted coffee, loose leaf tea, cold drinks, snacks and light meals. The bookstore and gift shop carries a range of unique gifts, cards, meditation accessories, Buddhist art, and books on Buddhism and meditation.

    Meditation is an ancient technology that has been used for thousands of years by people wishing to deepen their spiritual understanding and grow on the spiritual path. In modern times, people have become increasingly interested in meditation as a way to promote physical and mental well-being amidst their busy daily lives.

    Meditation can help to decrease stress, anxiety, and depression and for developing calmer, happier minds. If we want, it can even take us to our highest potential, full enlightenment. By cultivating positive minds such as love, patience, compassion, and wisdom we naturally begin to develop a light, happy mind. Eventually, we will be able to stay happy all the time, even in the most difficult circumstances.

  • Help

    Help

    The help at our Center varies depending on the Season as well as the skills of our volunteers. During Fall we rake and blow a lot of leaves. During winter we shovel a lot of snow. See above for more details.

  • Languages spoken

    English: Fluent

  • Accommodation

    Accommodation

    Volunteer visitors stay in our dormitories which are furnished with bedding and a towel. Bathrooms are private, but are shared by visitors and guests. There rarely is a wait.

    All meals are vegetarian. Breakfast is self-serve and lunch and dinner are community vegetarian buffets. There are vegan and wheat-free options as well.

  • What else ...

    What else ...

    Volunteering visitors have the opportunity to receive free meditation classes and teachings throughout the week when not helping and weekends.

    There are also several hiking paths at the Center, and many waterfalls and many scenic areas that workawayers can explore after volunteer hours and on the weekends.

  • A little more information

    A little more information

    • Internet access

    • Limited internet access

      Limited internet access

    • We have pets

    • We are smokers

    • Can host families

  • How many Workawayers can stay?

    How many Workawayers can stay?

    More than two

  • ...

    Hours expected

    Varies (Maximum 25 hours a week), 5 days per week

Host ref number: 752397275893

Feedback (116)



Feedback

These are extra optional ratings when members leave feedback. The average rating left for each option is displayed.

Accuracy of profile: (4.9)

Cultural exchange: (5.0)

Communication: (5.0)







































































































































































































Come and join our quiet space near Yosmite National Park in California
Learn self sufficiency in a off-grid, eco-friendly homestead, making beer, bread, pasta, cider while enjoying Hawaiian culture on the Big Island, Hawaii, USA