The retreat center needs DIY persons who possess curious, learning-curve minds to help care for and maintain our facilities (yurts, tents, straw-bale lodges). Individuals who are creative and can work independently – with or without guidance – are a good fit here. Reliability and accountability are qualities we seek in all work retreatants. We meet every morning (M-F) at 9am to plan work tasks.
Tasks include general housekeeping (deep-cleaning, laundry, sweeping, etc.), cooking lunch, grocery shopping, picking up/dropping off retreatants, sorting recyclables, driving waste to the local dump, picking up mail, facility maintenance, and supporting group retreat admin & logistics. There are many other tasks that may arise depending on the situation. Flexibility, patience, and a good sense of humor will be greatly appreciated.
We have a large, well-equipped workshop for building and creating whatever is needed. We have cars available for work tasks. A physical copy of your driver’s license is required for any driving that you do for the retreat center.
This is an ideal place for someone who enjoys living in a rural, remote area in the great outdoors with a family style community. We call this a work retreat because even though you’ll be ‘working’, we hope that you may use your time here as an opportunity to practice meditation. It is important that you will be interested in participating in our group meditation practice (open sessions 6-8am and 6-8pm). You aren’t expected to sit for the entire period, but we expect at least 30 minutes for both sessions.
The volunteer time commitment is a minimum of 2 weeks and maximum of 6 weeks. Extending your stay is on a case by case basis.
Our center is situated within 58,000 acres of pristine Coronado National Forest lands, with over 22 miles of hiking and climbing trails. Wildlife in our high desert oak woodland habitat includes javelina, bobcat, mountain lion, deer, coatimundi, ringtail, fox, skunk and more. This area hails as a hotspot for birdlife – including acorn woodpeckers, bridled titmouse, Mexican jays, and Montezuma quail. The absence of light pollution allows for dark skies with excellent opportunities for stargazing. There are many opportunities to go on overnight backpacking adventures. We often go out together to strengthen our bonds and practice meditation in nature.
On days off, work retreatants have an opportunity to experience a personal meditation retreat, here at the center or up in the surrounding mountains. You can work with our resident yogi to create a meditation program that is in line with your goals and desires. Though we are open to all spiritual traditions, this retreat center is guided specifically by Buddhist values. If you are interested in Buddhism, this is a great place to learn.
We offer all our work retreatants, solo/group retreatants, and locals to join our monthly full moon hikes – an advanced, all-night hike around the mountains. There is an option for a beginner full moon hike to accommodate. This is an ancient Buddhist practice for Uposatha day. Uposatha days are days of renewed dedication to dharma practice in Theravada Buddhism, observed by lay followers and monastics, particularly around the new and full moon. They are a time for reflection, meditation.
Please contact retreats@dharmatreasure.org if you have any questions.
Scott, a long time student of Shinzen Young and S.N. Goenka feels that the moment to moment mindfulness as taught by Mahasi Sayadaw and Ajahn Thong provides a clear path to the end of suffering.
