A two-week immersive residential workshop aimed to explore carpentry at the intersection of contemplative practice, craft and sustainability. The programme is structured as a two-week training workshop (with the possibility to stay on after the workshop as a volunteer).
The practical focus will be hands-on work doing roofing with slate, a natural material used traditionally in this region of the Himalayas. The workshop will be supported by a healthy lifestyle with time for daily contemplative practice (e.g. yoga and meditation), providing precious opportunities to work with the connection between body, awareness and breath, and to improve our focus and patience, bringing us closer to finding the harmony between restfulness and productivity.
Overview
Programme Type: Immersive residential service-learning programme
Topic: Contemplative Carpentry 2: Building a Slate Roof
Dates: 22 April through 4 May, 2024 (two weeks), with optional volunteer extension (see below)
Facilitators: Shiv Raj & Ellie Gilchrist
Languages: English and Hindi (with translation as needed)
Requirements: No prior experience required
Learn to build the traditional slate roofs of Kangra
Beautiful and sturdy, slate roofing is a quintessential element of the Kangra vernacular, as practiced traditionally in this region of Himachal Pradesh and as further refined by award-winning eco-architect Didi Contractor. Though this natural and eco-friendly approach to roofing is in danger of disappearing as flat reinforced concrete slab roofs spread like a virus through the Himalayas, Dharmalaya Institute is working to preserve this tradition by keeping the practice alive on its own campus and training others in the materials and methods.
The meaning of ‘Contemplative Carpentry’
In the ‘modern’ world, the idea of productivity, or seeing a project through to its completion, has become a stressful affair. It is perceived as ‘normal’ to be sleep-deprived, slightly-malnourished and highly-caffeinated during the final stages of the project — no thanks to our schools and workplaces and the unnecessary environment of competition we have been conditioned into. What happens when the rewards of our process are reaped in the process itself, rather than the result of the process? What happens when the qualities we want to bring out in the result of our process are present in each and every movement leading to it?
Fortunately, carpentry is one of many crafts that cannot really be done to anything resembling a degree of excellence if the mind and body are not rested and fully present. In other words, join us on our co-exploration of this immersive craft and the form it takes in Didi Contractor’s neo-vernacular Kangra architecture, set in the context of Dharmalaya’s nourishing forested setting and a healthy, ashram-like lifestyle.
Integrated experience
This programme is designed as a blend of practice and theory, with an emphasis on deepening understanding through felt experience.
Hands-on training in traditional roofing techniques: training in the use of hand tools, natural materials, and local techniques for building a slate roof.
Reflection and discussions on craft, communication and creativity: exploring creativity as an innate human quality, learning communication that fosters collaboration over competition and refining the tools for manifestation.
Programme structure
Orientation
During the first few days, participants will enjoy an orientation process designed to help you settle in, understand key concepts and skills of the program, and integrate into the Dharmalaya life, including a campus tour and introductory talks.
Hands-on work
We will be working closely with Shivraj-ji, a master craftsman who was trained by and worked with Didi Contractor for most of his professional life, and was instrumental in the construction of Dharmalaya Institute.
Preparatory training on safety, teamwork, and how to prepare the tools, materials, worksites, etc.
Materials introduction: working with slate, wood, and bamboo
Hands-on work with an emphasis on getting the core movements and basics to feel effortless
Conceptual explorations
Throughout the workshop, we will enjoy activities to support theoretical understanding and personal reflection.
Presentations and movie screenings and discussions on the primary topics – including craft, natural materials, Didi Contractor’s philosophy and work
Daily assignments, including reading, reflection and journaling questions and observation activities, based on the various interrelated topics of the programme
Discussion sessions on topical responses from the reading, journaling questions and other larger themes
Held spaces for contemplative practice in the early mornings: meditation (walking or sitting practice)
Optional extension for volunteering
After the two-week workshop, it will be possible for inspired participants to stay on longer to deepen their explorations as a volunteer.
Note: The exact work to be done during the programme is subject to change according to a number of factors, including the weather, time-sensitive tasks, staff holidays, and so on.
Who is this programme for?
This programme is open to anyone wishing to:
Make an in-depth, interdisciplinary exploration of compassionate living and caring community
Be a part of a small, intimate group of kindred spirits collaborating in service
Reflect honestly on your outer and inner life, with the intention to learn and grow
Experience well-being through simple, healthy living and daily contemplative practice in an ashram-style environment
Remain safely within our Himalayan eco-campus for the entire duration of them programme (without visiting town, etc.)
Qualities that the ideal candidates should have:
Physical fitness and readiness to do hard work every day
Sensitive and respectful to the experience and needs of others
Generous spirit: sincerely wanting to give even more than you receive
Team player, agreeable and cooperative, happy to do whatever is needed
Self-motivated to work and excel (not needing too much urging by others)
Honest with both self and others, putting integrity first
Motivated to improve oneself and takes constructive feedback well, with gratitude
What to expect
Two of the keys to happiness are: (1) to have realistic expectations to begin with; and (2) not to be too attached to those expectations, but rather to stay flexible as life unfolds. With that in mind, here are some of the things participants should expect (while remembering to keep a flexible attitude):
Full-time programme focus: This programme is called ‘immersive’ because the point is to be completely focused on the programme. While there will be some time for rest, reading/journaling, and personal reflection, there won’t be time for activities unrelated to the programme. While you’re here, the expectation is that your full attention will be focused on the programme experience from start to finish.
Plenty of physical work: Most of the work to be done is physical, and some of it requires physical endurance, so it’s best to be prepared both physically and psychologically for a lot of hard work. One key to happiness here is to keep a very positive and enthusiastic attitude about the work, knowing that you’re making the world a better place in a small way, which makes it a joy.
Supportive routine: A daily rhythm of contemplative practice, outdoor activities, discussions, and silent meditation time.
Natural simplicity: Rustic accommodations in natural earthen buildings or comfortable tents in a beautiful forest setting.
Yogic lifestyle: Clean and simple ashram-style lifestyle in which everyone contributes to the running of the place, including cleaning, washing dishes, etc. No smoking or intoxicants.
Life on campus: To support all participants to get the most out of the programme, it is designed so that all the time will be spent on Dharmalaya’s beautiful six-acre campus. Accordingly, participants should plan to remain on campus for the duration of the programme and be fully present for the community experience.
Healthy food: Natural and mostly organic, purely vegetarian meals (100% plant-based, vegan). No junk food or packaged snacks, etc.
Digital detox: There will be no use of mobile phones or internet from 9-5 or during evening sessions so that everyone stays focused on the group tasks, and present with one another — and with our own experience. For those who are normally glued to your phones, it may take some adjustment at first but soon you’ll be amazed how much better you feel engaging with nature and good work with good people rather than the screen.
Campus life and the experience of living in community
Most of our past long-term participants tell us that experience of being a part of the Dharmalaya community, living and working together, is one of the best parts of the experience for them.
We emphasize a culture of kindness and cooperation rather than selfishness and competition, and it’s great to live with kindred spirits in that kind of atmosphere.
Dharmalaya maintains an environment in which everyone is supported to learn and grow in this way, and this kind of learning truly changes lives for the better, because few lessons are more valuable than those that help us understand ourselves and others better and learn to relate with others more sensitively and skilfully.
So one thing to understand is that learning to be a healthy part of a healthy community is one of the most important aspects of all of our residential programmes — and of compassionate living more generally — so that kind of inner work and social evolution should be something that appeals to you strongly if you’re thinking of applying for this programme.
We’ll be spending a good bit of time talking about it and asking you to self-reflect, journal, and share with others about your experiences, which benefits everyone.
Schedules & dates
Start and end dates
The programme will begin at 10:00am on Day 1. All newly arriving participants will be required to arrive sometime between 9:30am and 9:45am on Day 1 itself (we will provide detailed timing, instructions, and travel tips after confirming your registration).
The programme will conclude at 3:30pm on the last day. Participants who are leaving after the programme should plan to depart between 3:45pm and 4:30pm.
Participants who complete this programme successfully may apply to remain longer as a volunteer (with reduced fees starting after the end of the fourth month - see below for details).
Daily schedule: What will the days be like?
Although the day-to-day schedule will vary a bit, the schedule for a typical day during this programme would more or less as follows:
6:00 Wake
6:30 Morning practice (yoga or your own meditation practice)
8:00 BREAKFAST
9:00 Morning work session (or learning activity)
12:30 LUNCH
1:30 Afternoon work session (or learning activity)
5:00 Personal time
6:00 DINNER
7:00 Evening activity or personal time (various depending on situation)
9:30 Lights out, silent time until breakfast
Programme fee
Dharmalaya Institute is a not-for-profit charitable and educational organisation, and as such seeks to make its programmes accessible everyone. Recognizing that our participants come from diverse backgrounds, we are providing a sliding scale with three tiers, to make it possible for each participant to give according to their means.
Total fees for this two-week workshop-retreat (inclusive of shared accommodation, three healthy meals daily, tea, and a materials fee of Rs 2000 per person), at each of the three tiers are as follows:
Subsidized rate
(For low-income participants who can’t afford the standard rate)
Rs 12,000
+2000 materials fee
=Rs 14,000 total
For transparency: This subsidized rate is approximately 33% below our break-even rate, which means it is not enough to cover the Institute’s costs in providing the programme, though that shortfall might be covered by participants who choose to pay the ‘Supporter rate’ to the right.
Standard rate
(For most participants)
Rs 18,000
+2000 materials fee
=Rs 20,000 total
For transparency: This standard rate is essentially a break-even rate, just enough to cover the Institute’s total average monthly costs in providing this service-learning opportunity.
Supporter rate
(For those who can afford to help subsidize lower-income participants)
Rs 24,000
+2000 materials fee
=Rs 26,000 total
For transparency: This supporter rate is approximately 33% above the break-even rate, and 100% of that surplus will be used to support lower-income applicants to participate at the subsidized rate. We thank you sincerely for your generosity in choosing this rate if you can.
We do not want cost to be a barrier to anyone’s participation, so if you have exceptional financial hardship and cannot afford even the lowest subsidized rate, you can contact us to let us know your situation and your needs.
Note that advance deposit of at least 50% is required to secure one’s place in the programme, and deposits are nonrefundable because the funds received before the program will be spent on food provisions and supplies well before the programme begins.
OPTIONAL EXTENSION: STAY ON AS A VOLUNTEER AFTER THE PROGRAM ENDS
For those who might wish to gain additional experience by staying on as a volunteer after the formal programme ends (subject to available space and acceptance of application), there would be an additional cost of Rs 750 per day for each day after 4th May.
For those who stay as a volunteer beyond four months, there will be the opportunity for a reduced work-study rate of Rs 20,000 per month (including all meals and shared accommodation) beginning with your fifth month, in exchange for taking on a few responsibilities to help with the work of the Institute. And for those who stay six months or longer (or who have extraordinary financial hardship) will qualify to apply for work-study scholarships (subject to availability) to cover between 50% and 100% of the cost of your room and board.
About the instructors and facilitators
The workshop will be instructed and facilitated by Shivraj and Ellie Gilchrist, with additional contributions from Dharmalaya Institute’s long-term community.
Application process
The application process is designed to help identify applicants who are best matched with the programme.
STEP 1 — APPLY: Submit the application form below and wait for our reply. We may email you to ask follow-up questions if necessary.
STEP 2 — INTERVIEW: If your application is selected for the shortlist, the next step will be for us to schedule a time for an interview on a video call. During this interview, you’ll have the chance to ask whatever questions you might have, and we’ll have a chance to get to know you a bit better. If necessary, there might be a second video interview for final candidates.
STEP 3 — ACCEPTANCE & DEPOSIT: If you are selected for the programme after your video interview, then at that time we will send you more detailed information about the programme and how to prepare for your time at Dharmalaya Institute. You will then have one week from the date of acceptance to make your nonrefundable deposit to hold your place in the programme. The minimum deposit is 50%, but it is also possible to prepay in full.
If you have any questions after reading all the material here on our website, feel free to contact us and we’ll be happy to address your questions.
We look forward to connecting with you!