LOVING OURSELVES ~ LOVING THE EARTH
This is the early information for those keen to join the vibrant residential community of Dharma Gaia for the NEW one-year internship. This internship is focused on strengthening our spiritual life through deeply practical hands-on experience of building the loving community and caring for the earth. Building joy and resilience in everyday meaningful experience as we ground ourselves in Presence, manifesting the power of the Buddha Dharma in everyday life.
APPLICATIONS ARE NOW OPEN FOR THE FULL YEAR programme Spring 2026- Winter 2027.
0r APPLY FOR SEMESTER 1 SPRING - 2026 September-October-November
The Spring semester is a natural time to build strong foundations -to rejuvenate our companionship and our wonderful gardens. You don’t have to know how … we learn together …. we share our talents and skills and empower each other and our connection with our precious environment.
DATES: SPRING RETREAT - SEMESTER 1 SEPTEMBER - 30 NOVEMBER 2026
COST: NZ$1300 (13 weeks full board-accommodation and food) early bird scholarship paid by June 30 NZ$1040
TO APPLY: see full details below and email: Attention Registration Team Loving Ouirselves Loving the Earth Spring Semester email: dharmagaia.org@gmail.com
Developing meaningful actionable spiritual practice as we cultivate authentic relationships through community life.
What are the important questions that you are asking yourself right now… what concerns do you have about your own life… about society… humanity… the planet?
Do you wonder if there is another way?
We want to hear from you . if you have energy and enthusiasm to actually take action…. to make your aspirations into reality… not on your own but with others who want to live work and create together in a more meaningful, kind, sustainable and empowering way.
Rooted in the practices and culture of the Plum Village tradition, this internship will encourage, nourish and challenge you to develop peace, concentration and wisdom through authentic spiritual practice and the power of living and caring in a conscious community.
Our training helps us to be unafraid of suffering and to transform it. The programme empowers and strengthens our heart/mind/body so that we can be skillful in responding to all that life offers us. While we embrace building resilience, boldness and positivity to difficult situations, we also fully embrace the human existence and the vulnerabilities of this human life - these are often also great places where we cultivate compassion and acceptance.
Meditation and mindfulness foster stable life habits and expand personal strength and collective wellbeing.
Spiritual practice here enables us to embrace a more collective and inclusive spirituality, we are confident Dharma Gaia can provide a stable, supportive and safe environment in which you can continue your journey.
Programme Details
Programme: Dates Spring Retreat Semester: 1 - September – 30 November 2026 (with the potential to extend for the full year to winter 2027)
Applications are now open and will close on 30 June 2026
Accommodation: A mix of huts and dorms, with the possibility of staying in tents during our summer internships for those who prefer to sleep close to nature. The kitchen is communal; the toilets and showers are individually sited but shared.
Meals: We are vegetarian always and lean toward vegan diet. Gluten-free and non-dairy options are possible within our meal plans; we are not able to provide for other particular dietary preferences beyond this standard
Price: For the full three-month: $1,300 accommodation and food. early bird scholarship paid by June 30 NZ$1040
Cost of the Programme: In accordance with our Buddhist Tradition, the programme content and teachings are given freely based on Dana. *Please click here for a deeper understanding of how Dana works.
Scholarships: Those completing Semester one may apply for further scholarships to complete the full year programme. On application, please let us know your interest in joining for the full year.
Ready to take the first step towards application?
Please apply via email to dharmagaia.org@gmail.com
Subject line: LOVING OURSELVES LOVING THE EARTH SPRING SEMESTER 2026
We are a living experience of a mindful caring community - curious and open, non-judgemental and supportive, so even in applying, we invite you to practice this art now…BE AUTHENTIC…share about yourself and ask your questions.
In your email please tell us:
A bit about yourself, your background, interests, skills and experience. What do you enjoy…. what do you care about …. what are your concerns
Your age, and gender identification. Please also share about your current health - mental, physical and emotional.
We would like to know if you have any experience in Meditation and Mindfulness, other contemplative practices, living in a community or experience in community-based service.
We would be very happy to hear what draws you to this programme and what you would hope to receive and contribute.
Feel free to also include any other information that you feel is relevant to share.
We are open for a wide range of ages to apply, however, we are generally a young community between 25 - 40. A certain level of maturity and capacity to be responsible and self-reflective are important. We respect each other and we are building autonomy in action for each person, so openness, flexibility and humility are important. Skills, work and life experience can offer a community much support; however, rigid ideas of ‘how things should be’ and strong opinions of the ‘right’ way to do things are challenged.
Community life is always an experiment in progress …. we are not afraid of the challenges that arise, however, we are committed to base our communications in respect and kindness. We encourage a willingness to observe and understand our own challenges, habit energies and suffering and not to blame others. but to find ways to have clear communication and patience. In our experience, community life is also deeply nourishing, inspiring and empowering. It is a wonderful practice to live with and for each other.