Ashram Seva Opportunities
The Neem Karoli Baba Ashram and Hanuman temple is a unique community of diverse members who all come together in the spirit of seva, or selfless service as a path to communion with the divine. This ideal of service to God and creation is epitomized in the Hindu deity Hanuman, a lovable monkey god who devoted his entire being to the service of his divine master, Lord Rama. As each of us goes about our daily duties, we cultivate the spirit of seva, holding the sacred intention that whatever we contribute will go towards serving the highest goals.
There are many ways to serve at the ashram-from growing food to cooking it. We also welcome people with skills in carpentry, natural building, music, fine arts, retail, clerical and office work, computer skills and those with a love for cleaning, beautifying and organizing.
If you live locally, you are welcome to come any time and participate in seva. Inquire with any one of the ashram residents or check the daily seva board in the sunroom to see what needs to be done that day. In the several weeks leading up to, during and after our festivals, there is always lots of extra seva to be done and that is a wonderful time to serve. We welcome assistance in the kitchen, farm, puja dukan shop, office or with cleaning and maintenance. If you have a special skill or would be interested in a particular project let us know.
If you would like to have an ongoing seva job that you do on a weekly basis, contact us for our current and ongoing needs.
Live In Seva and Summer Seva
We also have space for live-in sevaks. As with any community, there is a great deal of hard labor involved in the day-to-day running of the ashram. Live-in volunteers should be willing to physically engage and to remain present-especially for our harvest period later in the season. Sevaks are expected to work 30 hours per week meals and bathroom facilities are provided. We can accommodate people from May until October, with possibilities before and after depending on indoor space. We always especially need help before, during and after our festivals and they are a wonderful time to experience the joy of bhakti and Karma yoga practice.
Our accommodations include a purely vegetarian kitchen with delicious and simple daily community meals, shower/bathroom facilities and tent sites, not to mention an interesting social, cultural and spiritual environment. We are located very close to the center of town with grocery stores and other retailers within walking distance. We cannot accommodate pets and children will be considered on a case by case basis.
There are no drugs or alcohol allowed on the property. We expect maturity and good communication from all of our sevaks as well as a willingness to work, listen and learn.
We encourage those who are interested in seva on the farm in particular to commit to staying for a period of several months to the entire season. This creates more continuity and productivity for the farm and offers a broader farming experience to the individual. We also enjoy having shorter term farm sevaks but prefer a stay of at least two weeks.
Seva to Maharajji is a great blessing and a privilege. Karma Yoga, or “work as worship”, along with Bhakti Yoga, chanting and devotional practices, is our primary form of spiritual practice here at the ashram.
Ashram Daily Schedule
6 am Wake-Up
Please observe silence before morning aarti
7 am Morning Aarti
7:45 am Breakfast
8:15 am Daily Check-In
8:30-12:30 Seva
12:30 pm Lunch
2-6 pm Seva
6 pm Dinner
Sunset Evening Aarti
After dinner report for evening clean-up
*The farm has specific seva needs and timings. If you have been assigned to seva at the farm, report to the head farmer at 7 am at the barn for the daily seva assignments unless you are attending morning aarti. All others are expected to attend the daily check-in at 8:15 am at the picnic tables to receive daily seva assignments. Clean-up in the evening is an important time for the community to come together and do seva as a group. Please plan to attend.
Seva
Seva to Maharajji is a great blessing and a privilege. Karma Yoga, or “work as worship”, along with Bhakti Yoga, chanting and devotional practices, is our primary form of spiritual practice here at the ashram. Seva should be done with full attention, silently chanting a mantra or bringing the mind again and again back to the task at hand. Conversation should be kept to a minimum and each task should be done with care and loving intention as a sacred offering.
Cleanliness and Ashram Dress Code
Before engaging in any indoor seva or attending prayers it is customary to shower and wear clean clothes. Thank you for observing this custom. For men and women staying at the ashram, body should be covered from shoulders to knees at all times in or around the main temple building, kitchen and temple room. Please also refrain from wearing transparent or tight clothing. Modest tank tops and shorts are acceptable at the farm.
Kitchen Protocol
We welcome your participation in kitchen seva! Before helping out in the kitchen, please make sure you are showered and in clean clothes. All food or drinks prepared in the ashram kitchen are offered first to Maharajji and Hanuman ji before being enjoyed. Please do not taste or smell any food (even during preparation) before it has been consecrated. Do not eat or drink while preparing prasad. Keep personal belongings out of the kitchen. Do not sit or place small children on tables, counters or cooking areas. Keep conversation to a minimum in the kitchen. Please walk around unless you are coming into the kitchen to do seva.