Zen, Art, Earth – An Internship in Spiritual Practice and Community Life
FEBRUARY - MAY 2026 Dynamic and contemplative … focused on two core areas of growth that always bring powerful personal transformation
developing meaningful actionable spiritual practice
cultivating authentic relationships through community life.
What are the important questions 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 KNOW …. 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 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: 9 February – 3 May 2026 3 months (with the potential to extend)
Applications are now open and will close on 6 January 2026
Accommodation: Is a mix of huts and dorms and during our summer Internships the possibility to be in tents is also available for those who like to sleep close to nature. Kitchen, toilets and showers are individually sited but are communially shared.
Meals We are vegetarian always and lean toward vegan diet. Although gluten free and non dairy are incorporated into our meal plans, we are not able to provide for other particular dietary preferences beyond this standard
Price: For the full three months Programme: $1200 includes accommodation, food.
Cost of the Programme: In accordance with our traditional Buddhist Training we will once again offer the programme freely on the basis of Dana. *Please see the page on Dana here
Scholarsips Successful Applicants confirmed by 10 December 2025 will be eligible for 15% discount scholarship. Further scholarships may also become available. Please ask on application
Ready to take the first step towards application? Please read about our volunteer programme page as this offers good information about our regular programme.
For the Internship please apply via email to dharmagaia.org@gmail.com
subject line: Summer Internship 2026
We dont need cvs, or for you to ‘sell’ yourself to us … no struggle to promote the best and hide the challenges, just be authentic and informal. We are a living experience of mindful caring community -curious and open, non-judgemental and supportive, so even in applying we invite you to practice this art now … Ask your questions and share your information in the following areas:
In your email please tell us:
*A bit about yourself, your background, interests, skills and experience
* 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 community or experience in community-based service.
*We would be very happy to hear what draws you to inquire about 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 often quickly challenged. We practice deeply the teaching of Interbeing (no higher, no lower, and even no need to be the same. This is not the norm for Western society and it can be quite a challenge to learn and practice with. No one and no role in the community is more important or in a higher position than any other.
