Dharmalaya Institute's Programmes

Education & Contemplation for Transformation

Multiple programme formats to meet diverse needs

+ Workshops & Retreats

Our workshops and retreats provide the perfect way to get your feet wet in the world of Dharmalaya and gain introductory exposure to key concepts and practices. Workshops and retreats are designed to provide a strong taste of the topics they cover, going as deep as we can in a short time (generally one to three weeks). Whether the subject is sustainability, natural design, earthen building, meditation, yoga, personal growth, or all of the above, these brief-yet-intensive experiences make it possible for those with limited time to take a quick plunge into vital topics and useful practices. They also serve as entry points (and test-drives) for our long-term programmes below and training for those who would like to volunteer.

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+ Immersive Courses

Immersive courses are holistic, interdisciplinary, experiential learning programmes that facilitate deep integration of theory and practice, with emphasis on practical learning through hands-on application, enhanced by study, reflection, journaling and discussion, and further reinforced by both ground and individual research/application projects. The pinnacle of Dharmalaya's programme offerings, these residential courses are typically one year (or more) in duration.

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+ Internships

Internships are faculty-supervised programmes designed to provide both practical experience and deeper theoretical knowledge in the context of a real-world work environment, with a holistic approach fostering both professional development and personal growth. Dharmalaya internships are open to active professionals and students alike. (Four-month minimum commitment)

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+ Volunteering

Volunteering is compassion in action — a noble expression of the spirit of service. At Dharmalaya, we approach volunteer work mindfully, with warm-hearted presence, as karma yoga (unselfish service for the greater good). We welcome caring and committed volunteers who have relevant skills to offer and who can stay for at least four months. Don’t have skills yet? No problem: you can attend one of our training workshops to gain the skills, and then apply to stay on afterward to volunteer. (Four-month minimum commitment)

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+ Online Courses

Dharmalaya Institute's online courses provide opportunities to engage in Dharmalaya-style holistic education from home (since mid-2020 and in response to COVID-19). We bring our holistic and experiential approach home to you, supporting our ongoing learning in the real world and enabling these meaningful explorations to continue even when it isn’t possible to be together in person.

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(Click the '+' to expand each section above)

The Dharmalaya distinction

Compassionate living in the lap of nature

With this precious opportunity to learn and work in the heart of a Himalayan forest, we come face-to-face with the theory and practice of compassionate living.

A caring community of kindred spirits from diverse backgrounds

Our residential participants enjoy the opportunity to immerse in community life at Dharmalaya, learning and working in concert with people from across India and the globe. The safe and supportive environment enhances both our living and our learning, In fact, Dharmalaya campus life itself is one of the most cherished aspects of the experience.

Contemplative service learning

All our programmes share a common objective: to support participants to understand ourselves, our world, and our work more intimately.

Understanding that transformation takes time

We get that caring and passionate people like you aren’t looking for a shallow experience: we want the real thing. The best Dharmalaya has to offer comes through long-term engagement and programmes. Our participants whose lives have transformed most profoundly become part of our growing family of compassionate change makers, returning again and again to continue expanding their knowledge and refining their practice.