What is the foundation of the volunteer program?

First and foremost the program is the opportunity to practice the fundamental basic human virtue of Dāna. “The practice of giving is a quality that testifies to the depth of one's humanity and one's capacity for self-transcendence” Bhikkhu Bodhi .  In the teachings of the Buddha, Dāna is offered as the foundation and seed of spiritual development.  Dāna is about how we relate to each other, our communities and the earth.  

Moreover the program cultivates the teaching of spiritual friendship.  The Buddha offered that Kalyāṇamittatā or spiritual friendship is the “Whole of the Holy life”.  He also offers that there is nothing, with regard to external factors, that is more important than friendship with skillful people for those seeking liberation.  The SM program offers the opportunity to live in community with Kalyāṇamitta.  Namgyal Rinpoche stated that “It is more important to follow God than to watch beings kicking one another.  By discovering more about God or enlightenment or whatever you wish to call Truth, in effect you bring light to all beings” (excerpt from The Dome of Heaven).  

The “goal” of the SM program is to serve.  This service creates merit, opportunity for transformation and supports all in experiencing the Dharma.  Selfless service is a unique opportunity to work with the hindrances and see clearly the skandhas. Our SM program encourages practice to go ‘off the cushion’ and ‘into the world’. This experience supports the Dharma of daily life and helps ground our practice. 

The DCC is a place for study, contemplation and practice of Dharma, the universal truth of liberation.  We offer refuge and we invite those offering reverence to the lineage of teachers, students and volunteers alike that contributed to the energy of transformation and growth that is felt on the property.   

Volunteering at DCC

There are several types of volunteers at DCC including operational support during certain courses/retreats, project focused service (such as building a cabin), stays lasting 30 days (Server-Meditator), as well as day visits.

Our program here at the DCC is an opportunity to put theory into practice, to walk the talk so to speak.  Often a missing piece in our path to liberation is integrating our meditation and retreat experience with daily life.  How do we keep the open-heartedness found on retreat in everything we do?  Through the practice of selfless service you can gain new skills, connect with like minded people, and practice mindfulness in a spectacular natural setting. You can learn to lift any task from the menial to the meaningful.

The DCC endeavours to care for the community using what this bountiful property provides utilizing traditional skills.  We have ample opportunities to learn these traditional skills such as preserving food, growing organically, building from the ground up, using solar energy, wood milling and more.  

Who is suited for this opportunity?

Persons suited for this practice have an interest in personal development, as well as desire to learn about living and serving in a spiritual community and how to integrate spiritual practice into daily tasks.  

The property is rugged and the daily tasks of caring for the people and property are physical.  Applicants must be physically able to work for 6 hours per day in a physically demanding setting.  Specifically, tasks assigned include gardening, heavy cleaning, cooking, washing dishes, clearing brush etc.  From time to time we may have lighter duty opportunities that will be posted on a project by project basis.

**Please note that DCC does not have resources on hand to support those experiencing serious physical and mental health issues. It is important that applicants ensure that they are able to independently care for their health during their stay. We send Metta to everyone for their liberation journey.

Programs

1. (Dharma Service or ) Server-Meditator Program

If you are new to the program we invite you to stay with us for two weeks.  If you are returning we require a minimum of two weeks with a maximum of 30 days. The option to renew your stay is at the discretion of the DCC.   

Service volunteer positions work in the areas of property & grounds (including extensive gardening in the summer months), kitchen (including food preservation), and housekeeping & laundry.   In exchange for meals and housing, weekly movement, meditation sessions, dharma talks and dharma study, the SM provides approximately 6 hours per day, 6 days a week of work.  Day 7 is reserved for reflection, contemplation, and individual spiritual practice.  

A Day in the Life of a Server Meditator

Life at the DCC is dynamic and the needs change daily.  We provide work assignments through clear communication starting with a daily meeting at 9:30 am to discuss and assign tasks for the day.   Hours of work are dependent on the area of service and the needs of the facilities. Typically they are performed between the hours of 7:00 am and 7:00 pm.  The 400 acres property is rugged and the work is physical.  

Yoga, movement and meditation sessions are offered before breakfast 2-3 times a week.  Dharma study and or classes are offered in the evenings 1-2 a week.   Attendance at these programs are required as part of the SM program. When time (outside of service schedule) and teachers allow, SMs are able to attend scheduled retreats and classes.

Breakfast items are provided, and lunch is our biggest meal served between 12-1 pm. Dinner will be served during retreats and on non-retreat days, leftovers are offered for reheating.    

Accommodations are provided at our Hermitage and Main House site.  Typically they are single occupancy but there may be times when you are asked to double up. 

During free time, there are many hiking/snowshoeing trails, streams and lakes to explore.  The solitude and wildlife must be experienced to appreciate.  During your working time, there are many opportunities to learn new skills from preserving the harvest to building from the ground up and everything in between.  Most of all learn to just BE in a supportive spiritual community of friends.

2. Retreat Service

This program allows for attendance at a retreat for a reduced cost, typically 50% and dependent on circumstances.  The commitment begins and ends with the retreat. Three hours daily of service is required and care will be taken to work around the retreat schedule however this is not always possible.  The retreat service schedule will be pre-approved by the retreat teacher.

3. Project Based Service

We are revitalizing and growing at the DCC and have exciting opportunities for project work in our future.  Projects such as building cabins, creating thoughtful trails, preserving organic harvest, soil regeneration, installing solar energy, planting seedlings for spring and assembling greenhouses are just a few of our upcoming projects.  This program is geared at hands-on teaching of new skills.   

Scheduling of project based activities is solely dependent on the stage of the project and weather and thus remains fluid and flexible.  In general you will work 6 hours a day with one personal day per week of stay.  Movement, meditation and dharma study opportunities available as noted in the SM program are available and encouraged during your stay. All meals and lodging are included.  Applicants are expected to stay for the duration of the project.

4. Day Visits

Join us for a day!  We welcome you to join us for the day starting at 9:30 am.  You will be paired with one of our Server-Meditators for the day and offered lunch and lots of gratitude.  Let us know when you are planning to visit a few days in advance so we can plan for your arrival.

5. Longer term Service

Options for longer term service are available.