Karma Yoga at Paramahansa Yogananda Community in USA

• Exchange hours per day
• Days off per Week
  2
• Accomodation Provided
  Yes
• Meals Included
  Yes
• Minimum Commitment (In Days)
  30
• Pets Allowed
  No
• Smoking Allowed
  No
• Types of Help & Learning Opportunities
  Gardening & Planting, House Help, Kitchen & Bar Help, Teaching, Spiritual Growth, Yoga Teaching or Learning

About Song of the Morning Yoga & Meditation Retreat:

Song of the Morning, a spiritual retreat located in northern Michigan, stands as a beacon of community and spiritual growth. Founded by Yogacharya J. Oliver Black in 1970 at the request of his guru Paramahansa Yogananda, this retreat center covers 800 acres of pristine forest alongside the flowing Pigeon River. Over the years, it has become a treasured sanctuary for spiritual seekers of all backgrounds, nurturing a vibrant community imbued with a sacred mission. Rooted in the teachings of Paramahansa Yogananda and Self-Realization Fellowship, the retreat is managed by Golden Lotus Inc., a nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering spiritual development through the practice of Kriya Yoga and promoting unity among all religions.

At Song of the Morning, the essence of community is deeply intertwined with the shared goal of Self-Realization. Whether welcoming guests on retreat or offering a home to full-time residents, the retreat’s focus remains on spiritual blossoming and the deepening of one’s divine life. Through evening meditations, Sunday Services, spiritual workshops, and selfless service, individuals come together to support each other’s spiritual journeys and experience profound growth. The retreat’s natural surroundings, with its scenic river and forest views, provide a backdrop for solace and spiritual refreshment, encouraging harmony, joy, and authentic connections among community members and visitors alike.

Karma Yoga at Song of the Morning offers a transformative one-month program rooted in the teachings of Paramahansa Yogananda, providing an immersive experience in living a balanced life of meditation and service. Participants can explore Yogananda’s spiritual principles, develop interpersonal skills for community living, and commit to a regular meditation practice. The program includes approximately 20-24 hours of structured service work weekly, along with spiritual practices, personal time, and the support of a compassionate community. As part of the exchange opportunity, participants are expected to adhere to the Group Harmony Agreement, abstain from substances like tobacco and alcohol, refrain from bringing pets onto the property, and maintain emotional stability to fully engage in the experience.

Exchange Opportunity Details

1. **Duration:** One-month program

2. **Weekly Schedule:** 20-24 hours of structured service work (Wednesday to Sunday), with Monday and Tuesday typically off

3. **Focus:** Exploration of Yogananda’s teachings, living a balanced life of meditation and service

4. **Requirements:**
– Commitment to regular meditation practice
– Willingness to grow spiritually in community living

5. **Guidelines:**
– Adherence to Group Harmony Agreement
– No tobacco/alcohol/illegal drugs on the property

6. **Restrictions:** No pets allowed on the retreat property

7. **Expectations:**
– Bringing one’s best self to interactions
– Honoring the divinity in others
– Seeking solutions within oneself during challenges

8. **Support:** Living in a culture of kindness, compassion, and good humor within a like-minded community

9. **Additional Note:** Applicants should be emotionally stable and in a place to fully engage in the transformative experience provided by the program.

Here is a list of duties you may be assigned to in the areas of kitchen, housekeeping, garden, and grounds during your service:

Kitchen:
Chopping vegetables and meal prep
Washing dishes and general cleanup

Housekeeping:
Cleaning bathrooms
Doing laundry
General cleaning and tidying up of common areas

Garden and Grounds:
Gardening tasks such as planting, weeding, and watering
Mowing grass
Simple maintenance projects around the retreat

Contact Details

Exchange Type

• Home for Time

Regions

• United States

Gallery

Location