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Tibetan Buddhist meditation retreat centre in the French Pyrénées, France

  • Favourited 1512 times
  • Last activity: 28 Mar 2024

Availability

  2024 

 Min stay requested: at least 1 month

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Details

  • Description

    Description

    Located in the forested mountains of the Pyrénées Orientales, a retreat centre surrounded by breathtaking nature and lofty views. As a backdrop, the Catalonian sacred mountain 'Pic du Canigou', steeped in mystery and legend, is a protected natural heritage site. In the distance the view of the Meditterranean. This retreat centre is remote yet easily accessible, it offers silence and natural beauty and is ideal for meditation retreats. It is run by volunteers, who share in their wish to practice meditation and contribute towards a supportive buddhist community. We welcome people from around the world to retreat here.

  • 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
  • UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve

    UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve

    UN goals
    No poverty
    Zero hunger
    Good health and well-being
    Quality education
    Gender equality
    Clean water and sanitation
    Affordable and clean energy
    Decent work and economic growth
    Industries, innovation and infrastructure
    Reduce inequality
    Sustainable cities and communities
    Responsible consumption and production
    Climate action
    Life below water
    Life on land
    Peace, justice and strong institutions
    Partnerships for the goals
  • Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    A place of retreat where the mind can be free from distraction. A natural sense of freedom and openness. The nature, beauty of the views, changing seasons and vast skies. There is equality amongst volunteers living here. Warmth of heart and sincerity are alive, and our kitchen and wholesome good food will make you feel at home!

    Twice daily, in the morning and in the early evening - there is group meditation practice which you are welcome to join. We often hold seminars and organise retreats on Buddhist topics where you can gain inspiration and learn from the visiting teachers, who are internationally renowned and respected in the Tibetan lineage tradition. You are welcome to join these free of charge when living and working at Gomde. We have a resident Tibetan Lama (monk) who is in Gomde most of the year, and who can answer questions you may have or give advice about meditation and retreat. We also have a library with Buddhist books on a wide variety of topics, foundational to advanced, and can also suggest online video and audio teachings and courses which can help you to learn more about (Tibetan) Buddhism.

    It is also a perfect place for anyone who enjoys and feels inspired by outdoor activities such as biking, running, hiking and just being in nature, and who is happy to spend time in the peace of the environment.

  • Help

    Help

    The retreat centre is run by volunteers, who share in their wish to practice meditation and contribute towards a growing community. We welcome people from around the world to reteat in this serene environment. Volunteers at Gomde adopt a lifestyle of balance between relaxation, meditation, and work activities.


    RENOVATION WORK / ENLARGING WINDOWS IN COUNTRY HOUSES / SETTING UP A WOOD WORKSHOP

    PROFESSIONAL CARPENTERS or EXPERIENCED JOINERS - feel welcome to stay here and share your knowledge, we would like to learn from your skilled experience.

    BRICK-LAYERS or artisans of any kind who wish to live and work in an independent and self-sufficient way, whilst enjoying a period of peace and insight into this Tibetan Buddhist community.

    LANDSCAPING / GARDENING - we would love to establish our garden in a way that it becomes maintenance free, where the types of plants we include will naturally deter the growth of weeds.


    If you have experience in any of these areas we would love to welcome you, but also if you wish to share in our household, kitchen / other areas of community service, we would be very happy to hear from you.

  • Languages

    Languages spoken
    Tibetan: Fluent
    Catalan: Fluent
    German: Fluent
    English: Fluent
    Spanish: Fluent
    French: Fluent

    This host offers a language exchange
    This host has indicated that they are interested in sharing their own language or learning a new language.
    You can contact them directly for more information.

  • Accommodation

    Accommodation

    Our accomodation is basic but comfortable, we can mostly offer a single room, hut or cabin, depending on the number of people staying here at the time of your stay with us. If needed, accommodation will be shared with other volunteers. During the busy period in the summer we might ask you to stay in a teepee or a tent.

    As a Buddhist community, we refrain from consuming meat, alcohol, or intoxicants of any kind. If you have any specific dietary needs, please let us know, I am sure our wonderful cooks can accommodate your needs if we know ahead of time.

    Everyone who visits Gomde especially praises the excellent kitchen & good wholesome cooking, and feels at home in the warmth and kindhearted sincerity of the volunteer residents here.

  • What else ...

    What else ...

    The place is quite remote, so the main entertainment is the forests, mountains, walks in the nature, company of kind hearted people. There are amazing hikes in the region. We are very close to the beautiful "pic du Canigou". Hiking and biking are possible from our main house, no need to drive (bring your own bike if you wish).

    La Bastide village is within walking distance and you can visit this beautiful tiny neighbouring village (about 20 mins walk). Public transportation is limited, but there is a bus from Perpignan that runs on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays via the villages of Amelie-Les-Bains and Le Boulou.

    We have a neighbour friend who can be your taxi driver - he is happy to pick you up by prior arrangement for a reasonable price, to either fetch or take you to Perpignan/Girona or Barcelona if needed.

  • 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

  • Can host digital nomads

    Can host digital nomads

    This host has indicated that they love having digital nomads stay.

  • Space for parking camper vans

    Space for parking camper vans

    This host can provide space for campervans.

  • How many Workawayers can stay?

    How many Workawayers can stay?

    More than two

  • ...

    Hours expected

    Volunteers balance their lifestyle here with time for individual relaxation and contributing to the work of the community

Host ref number: 972711923796

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