Volunteer as part of our evolving contemplative community near Poitiers, France

Infos

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  Description

  Who Are We?
  
  We exist as a centre for peace and meditation, offering retreats, seminars and a sanctuary for healing. The property was bought in 2017 through funds raised from the international network , a world-wide community of meditators rooted in the contemplative mystical traditions of Christianity
  
  
  Restoration of the chateau and farm buildings began in January 2018 and since then a small resident community has been developing, seeding the regular rhythm of life for what is now known as the Abbaye, guest house and retreat centre. Meditation takes place four times a day in a beautifully converted barn.
  
  The community's hospitality to all, and its care of the land and buildings is underpinned by the inspiration of Benedictine spirituality. The foundation of this 'rule of life' acts as a context for finding human ways to live together in accordance with nature and the current needs of the world. The coming and going of volunteers is essential to the weave of this fabric. People of all ages, nationalities and faith traditions with an interest in exploring their meditation practice, or learning to meditate for the first time, are welcome to come to live and help as part of the community.
  
  Some History
  
  The Chateau dates from the 1700's, built around the foundations of an 11th Century monastery. Before the renovations, the other buildings consisted of a collection of farm buildings (a farmhouse, stables and a barn), and a gatehouse and hunting lodge. The land offers 160 acres of grassland, woodland, a walled garden and a huge diversity of wildlife. The river ‘Rune’ intersects the land which feeds an ancient fishing lake embedded in the south-facing aspect of the Abbaye. There are also marshes peppered with three natural springs and 24 ecosystems of local and national heritage. Part of the land is now inhabited by a small organic farm and small-holding, run by two members of the wider community.
  
  Workaway
  
  The Workaway volunteer program began in 2018. Inviting volunteers has been a hugely successful experience on both sides. Together we share the beauty of the land and buildings, the richness of our meditation practice, and our daily life and work . It has been wonderful to learn how welcoming volunteers is a vital part of this life and vision. A vessel for mutual learning, the chance for everyone to feel valued and empowered in their specific skills, making a contribution to a greater whole and spiritual development through participation in the day-to-day rhythm of community life.
  
  Our Workaway volunteering opportunities begin with a month. After that an extension can follow a conversation between the volunteer and the community. Please note that stays of a month are preferable / desirable to enable volunteers to find rhythm and integrate with the life of the community. However we will consider volunteers for periods of a minimum of 2 weeks. The requirement is five hours of help a day and a willingness to join at least two periods of meditation a day and other community activities. Wednesdays and Saturdays are days off for volunteers as Sunday is a day of community activity.
  
  We are looking for people who enjoy living on the land in quiet countryside and are willing to offer a flexible open-minded approach to doing what needs to be done, as well as participate in the day-to-day rhythm of meditation, care of guests and meal times. A space to be in relationship with others whilst exploring the nourishment of silence and solitude is at the heart of life here. We aim to encourage varying levels of silence as part of the every day life here and with the support of the community and resident teachers this is an opportunity to discover or deepen your own spiritual practice.

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  Types d'aide et opportunités d'apprendre

  Bénévolat

  Projets artistiques

  Pratique d’une langue

  Jardinage d'entretien

  Projets DIY créatifs

  S’occuper des animaux

  Cuisine/repas pour la famille

  Aide à la maison

  Petits travaux d'entretien

  Aide informatique/internet
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  Objectifs de développement durable de l’ONU que cet hôte essaie d'atteindre

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  Qu'est-ce que c'est ?
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  Echange culturel et opportunités d'apprendre

  Volunteers will have the opportunity to learn through working collaboratively with others from a wide range of backgrounds and cultures, running retreats and courses, gardening, land management, house-keeping, cooking, as well as through meditation and spiritual teachings from Christian and other traditions.
  
  The daily rhythm hopes to encourage the experience of solitude and community, unity in the midst of diversity, and to nurture the inner wellsprings of joy that deepen our capacity to learn and to love.

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  Aide

  Our Workaway volunteering opportunities begin with a month. After that an extension can follow a conversation between the volunteer and the community. Please note that stays of a month are preferable / desirable to enable volunteers to find rhythm and integrate with the life of the community.
  
  Type of help needed
  
  Helping to run a Retreat Centre
  Creating and maintaining a vegetable garden
  Forest clearance and fencing
  Managing wood collection for fires
  Cooking / shopping for the community and guests
  Cleaning of communal spaces
  Animal care
  Other
  Small admin tasks
  Recording and managing online and on-the-ground events
  
  We are looking for people who enjoy living on the land in quiet countryside and are willing to offer a flexible open-minded approach to doing what needs to be done, as well as participate in the day-to-day rhythm of meditation and meal times. A space to be in relationship with other whilst exploring the nourishment of silence and solitude is at the heart of life here. We aim to encourage varying levels of silence as part of the every day life here and with the support of the community and resident teachers this is an opportunity to discover or deepen your own spiritual practice.
  
  Typical Daily Rhythm (please note this is adjustable with the change of seasons)
  
  Sunday to Saturday
  
  7.00 – 7:30 - Silent meditation (optional)
  7.45 – 8.35 - Morning meditation
  8.40 – 9.15 - Breakfast in silence
  9.30 – 10.00 - Study / Reading / group sharing (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday - Saturday)
  10.00 – 12.00 - Help
  12.15 – 13.00 - Midday meditation
  13.00 – 14.00 - Lunch / Clean-up
  14.30 – 17.30 - Help
  18.00 – 18.45 - Evening meditation
  18.50 – 19.30 - Dinner
  
  Wednesdays are silent days of no work, a chance to read, study, renewal of your inner peace, rest, be creative or in silence …
  Saturdays are days off to have the chance to do some cultural or relaxing activities with other volunteers.
  Sundays are days of community life: eating and doing light tasks together.

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  Langues parlées

  Anglais: Courant
  Espagnol: Courant
  Français: Courant
  Italien: Courant
  Hollandais: Courant
  Allemand: Intermédiaire

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  Hébergement

  Workaways are accommodated in bedrooms in the newly renovated Abbaye. Volunteers will be invited to share in the cooking of meals in the community kitchen, which will be eaten in the dining hall with community residents. Volunteers are invited to join the community for lunch and dinner every day, consisting of a blend of international cuisine, where we will accommodate as far as possible any special dietary requirements. The Abbaye building provides a good WiFi connection.

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  Autres infos...

  Our place is situated amidst beautiful countryside for walking and many places of historic and cultural interest. The nearest village is Marçay, 2 kilometres away and situated along the route Jacque de Compostella, which is a section of the known Santiago de Compostella. The nearest market town is Vivonne with supermarkets and other facilities. The ancient Abbey of St Martin at Ligugé is 6 kilometres to the north. Fifteen kilometers away the medieval city of Poitiers (which has an airport Biard along with local and TGV train links from Paris) boasts one of the most significant gothic cathedrals in France. Further afield there are also the cities of Tours and Saintes and the coastal town of La Rochelle.
  
  On arrival, we can arrange pick-ups from Vivonne train station (regional line from Poitiers) as well as from Poitiers main line station or airport.

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  Informations complémentaires

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    Accès Internet

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    Accès Internet limité

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    Nous avons des animaux

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    Nous sommes fumeurs

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    Familles bienvenues

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  Possibilité d’accueillir les digital nomads

  wi-fi is available throughout the buildings

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  Espace pour garer des vans

  Cet hôte a de la place pour les vans.

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  Combien de volontaires pouvez-vous accueillir ?

  Deux

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  Mes animaux

Sécurité du site

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