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Help our meditation space grow: Garden, cook & fix things

The experience

Join Veluvana, a contemplative retreat space in Fresnedillas. We need help with gardening, small repairs, and cooking for our retreatants. You’ll collaborate 25 hours a week (5h/day), with the freedom to organize your own schedule.

You are welcome to join our morning and evening meditation routines. On weekends, you can attend our courses or workshops for free if space allows. We often have children around, so being kid-friendly is a plus. Ideal

What you offer

25 hours of help per week

Painting & Decorating: Help with painting or decorating the property facilities.

Building & Repairing: Help with a wide range of repairs or building.

Gardening: Help grow plants and cultivate gardens

What you get

2 days off per week

Private Room: You will have a bed in a private room. In other words, a room just for you.

Breakfast: You are entitled to a free breakfast, every day of your stay.

Lunch: You are entitled to a free lunch, every day of your stay.

Dinner: You are entitled to a free dinner, every day of your stay.

Free Laundry: You can use our laundry room freely.

Pick Up: We will pick you up when you arrive, and take you to our property.

Use our equipped kitchen: Feel free to use our kitchen and make your own delicious food.

Fast Internet Access: High-speed internet for you to work remotely

Dedicated Workspace: Specific space for you to work remotely

Requirements

Intermediate English or Intermediate Spanish

Welcomes solo volunteers, couples, and partners of volunteers

What's not included

Flights, Travel Insurance, Internal Transportation and Visa

Program Details

At Veluvana, we offer a communal experience centered on mindfulness and "noble silence." We expect volunteers to be self-reliant and proactive in their tasks, which include maintaining our 3,000m² indigenous garden, performing basic home maintenance, and assisting in the preparation of vegetarian meals for our retreat guests.

In return, you will have a unique opportunity to deepen your contemplative practice. You are encouraged to join our daily meditation sessions and, when capacity allows, participate in our weekend workshops at no cost. Since this is a family-friendly space with children often present, we value volunteers who bring a calm, respectful, and helpful energy to the household.

Key expectations:

Autonomy: You manage your 5 hours daily as you see fit.

Environment: Respect for the quiet and meditative atmosphere is essential.

Skills: Basic handy-work or gardening experience is highly valued.

Activities & Shift

Participants will be a part of some of these activities, depending of the needs of that particular week or month:

Gardening: Maintenance of the 3,000m² natural space and indigenous garden.

Cooking: Helping prepare vegetarian meals for retreatants and residents.

Maintenance: Small repairs and general upkeep of the house and facilities.

Shifts and Schedule: We offer complete flexibility. You are responsible for completing 5 hours of help per day (25 hours per week), but you are free to organize your own schedule as you please. There are no fixed shifts during the week.

Daily Life & Logistics:

Meditation: The morning practice usually begins at 8:00 AM. You are welcome to join us.

Learning: If time allows, there are opportunities to interact with the resident teacher to discuss contemplative practice.

Location: We are located in Fresnedillas, a 1-hour bus ride from Madrid (Moncloa), making it easy to visit the city on your days off.

Leisure & Off-duty Activities:

Natural Pool: You are welcome to use our pool to relax and cool off during your free time.

El Escorial: Visit the historic town and its famous Monastery, which is located very close to the property.

Nature & Hiking: Explore the natural surroundings of Fresnedillas de la Oliva and the Sierra de Madrid.

Madrid Trips: The city center is easily accessible via a 1-hour bus ride for cultural visits.

Contemplative Practice: Use the dedicated spaces for your own meditation or reading.

Rules

Atmosphere: We prioritize a quiet environment suited for contemplative life. We prefer volunteers who are naturally quiet and interested in meditation.

No Parties: Parties or loud social gatherings are strictly prohibited to respect the silence of the space.

Non-Smokers: Ideally, we seek non-smoking volunteers to align with the mindful lifestyle of the house.