Ashram Seva Opportunities
Daily 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, or are just passing through 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.
Love, Serve Remember
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.
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.
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.
Live In Seva and Summer Seva
We welcome devotees and sevaks throughout the year. 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
Summer Sevaks:
We can accommodate live-in Summer sevaks from May until October in our open Camping. Sevaks will provide thier own camping gear and personal equipment. (please no RVs, or tents larger than 10ft)
Approved Summer Sevaks can stay for up to 6 weeks, at which time, if they would like to stay longer, they can request an extension up until October.
All Sevaks are expected to work 30 hours per week and will be scheduled with our staff.
As with any community, there is a great deal of hard labor involved in the day-to-day running of the ashram. Sevaks should be willing to physically engage and to remain present for all of the tasks of the Ashram and Temple care.
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.
Year Round Sevaks/Caretakers:
If you are interested in becoming a Caretaker or Year-round Sevak, we require you to have completed at least one Summer Sevak session. At which point you will be required to fill out a Caretaker application. Caretakers live at the Ashram year-round and are provided housing, food and use of the facilities. Year round caretakers are also trained in weekly Pujari responsibilities and Temple care.
