We have a brilliant community of volunteers who help us at The Tree by sharing some of their time to work with us as Karma Yogis. 

 

Karma yoga is one of the paths of yoga and involves selfless service to others. If you have enjoyed staying with us before and might wish to help out and spend extra time at The Tree with like- minded people. It has been a great pleasure to see this group grow over the years and many friendships have been formed as an offshoot of people giving of themselves and of their time. The Old Chapel would not have been completed now if it hadn’t been for the many hours of help given by our band of willing volunteers

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Karma Yoga is described by Dr Rishi Vivekananda as "A way of living and working for others and the world, with detachment from personal expectations and the fruits of our efforts, with maximum awareness, concentration and absorption in the task at hand".

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Volunteer helpers, who are known as karma yogis, come to undertake a variety of tasks, usually it will involve working in the garden, cleaning or chopping vegetables. Whilst some helpers may have a preference of which task they might like to do, the role of the karma yogi is actually to fulfil any task willingly, mindfully, with joy and without attachment to the outcome.

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“We are entitled to our actions, but we are not entitled to the fruits of our actions.”

The Bhagavad Gita

 

If you would like to come to The Tree to be involved in our Karma Yoga, we do ask that you have stayed with us previously as a guest and have attended one of our Tree retreats. This is simply because we feel it’s important that those joining us in this way already have a sense of The Tree, our ethos and the quiet, supportive environment that we share here. It also means that we’ve had the opportunity to meet you and get to know you a little before welcoming you as part of our Karma Yoga community.

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If you haven’t stayed with us before, we completely understand that you may still be interested in getting involved, and we’d be very happy to welcome you as a guest first - so that you are aware of how The Tree works from the point of view of a guest. We have found that this way the helper knows the way in which things fit together.

 

We would also recommend reading Edward's book- "Waking up in the World"- to see if you resonate with our approach.

 

Our Karma yogis come to help for 2 days mid-week (Tuesday - Thursday).​ 

Subject to availability: May - September. 

Please note our karma yoga is available mid-week only and not during the weekend.

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We have no remaining dates now for 2026.

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Our 2027 karma yoga available dates are:

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11th - 13th May 2027

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1st - 3rd June 2027​​

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20th - 22nd July 2027

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17th - 19th August 2027

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28th - 30th September 2027

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In exchange you will receive your bed and breakfast. We always try to work presently, lovingly and mindfully but there are certain times when we also work silently, only engaging in what we call “functional talk". This helps us to become really present with the task in hand and although it might seem strange at first most people enjoy this absorption in a task and can see how it benefits those behind the scenes and our guests – which is our ultimate aim.​

There are many benefits of spending time in a supportive and mindful environment.

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If you would like to help out as a karma yogi please contact: clare.harpin@thetree.earth ​​

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2 Day Karma Yoga

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Tuesday

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Arrive and settle in 1.30pm 

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2pm-5pm Karma Yoga (you will be shown what to do and how to do it)

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Prepare your own evening meal in Chapel kitchen (please bring your food and snacks with you)

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Relax in the evening, enjoy your surroundings, have a hot tub etc. Rest well

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Wednesday

 

9am Breakfast served in the Tree dining room

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10-1pm Karma yoga

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1pm-2pm Lunch break (self-catered)

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2pm-5pm Karma Yoga

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Prepare your own evening meal in Chapel kitchen (please bring your food and snacks with you)

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Relax in the evening and rest well

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Thursday

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9am Breakfast served in the Tree dining room

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10-1pm Karma yoga

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Before you depart please leave your room as you found it.

Clean the bedroom and bathroom and make your bed.

(no hoovering required)

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1pm Departure. Many thanks.

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