Seva
Volunteer at an ashram in India, through karma yoga
At Shankar Prasad Ashram near Gokarna, karma yoga, service as mindful action, is part of every day. Volunteers live with the community, join the daily practice, and work on the farm, in the kitchen, the office or with the animals.
Karma yoga
Why the work is the practice
“When you practise meditation together with karma yoga, growth is very fast. In the ashram, you do not meditate all day, but you work all day.” Swami Satyananda
Karma yoga is service without looking for reward. Here it sits inside the ashram routine: chanting and meditation at dawn, the work of the day, and satsang or kirtan at night.
Hours
Three ways to serve
- Full volunteer, 6 hours a day: for committed people who love ashram life or want to try it. Stay at least a month, three if you can.
- Part-time volunteer, 4 hours a day: half the day in seva, the rest for practice or online work.
- Guest, 1 hour a day: most time for sadhana, with one hour of service.
The work
Where volunteers help
- Gardening and the organic farm: coconut, rice, groundnuts, fruit and vegetables.
- Kitchen, cleaning and upkeep.
- Social media, photo and video.
- Pet and animal care.
- Office work.
- Seasonal seva: the paddy harvest, and the cacao harvest, from picking pods to making chocolate.
- Three months or more: run the office or homestay, manage the farm, or lead a project such as dog sterilisation or waste management.
Cost
Is volunteering free?
No. Volunteers give a suggested donation for room and board, the lowest the ashram has: from ₹300 a night for a full-time volunteer in the dormitory, ₹500 in a Manasa private room. Three vegetarian meals a day are included. Foreign nationals, NRI and OCI: ask the ashram for the international rate.
Every rate: What an ashram stay costs.
Questions about volunteering
How long do I need to stay?
Full volunteers stay at least a month, preferably three. If you cannot commit to a month, write anyway, or come as a part-time volunteer or guest.
Do I need skills or experience?
No. Tell the office what you enjoy on the form; work is matched to the person and to what the ashram needs that season.
Do volunteers join the classes?
Yes. The daily chanting, meditation, satsang and kirtan are part of every stay.
Can I work online while volunteering?
Yes, as a part-time volunteer or guest. Discuss internet use with Swamiji first; Wi-Fi is limited.
How do I apply?
Send the volunteer form with your dates, hours and the work you would like. Nothing is charged. The office replies within a day or two by email or WhatsApp.
Where is the ashram?
In Bankikodla village, 5 km from Gokarna, Karnataka, about 3 hours by taxi from Goa airport.