Our Seva program is open for registrations for the Spring/Summer season of 2023!

Seva means literally “Selfless, Devotional Service” – the act of giving and serving in a disinterested manner. Seva is in the tradition of Sikh Dharma one of the 4 pillars of life and behaviour, it is an attitude towards life – to give instead of taking. Seva is the highest attitude, where you put your best and serve it in the name of God and Guru. Seva reminds us that God is the great giver. Seva is the greatest meditation, is what gives us humility, radiance and teaches us how to excel and how to elevate others.

“I promise you that those who shall serve others, the Almighty God shall have no power but to serve them, that is the only way. Your power is not in your strength and weakness, in your show and your capacity, in your titles and your achievements, in your money, and in your playing games. Your power is to uplift others. Those who uplift others, God shall uplift them, because it is God’s Will to uplift everybody. When you live in your Godliness, He will not let you fall“
– Siri Singh Sahib Yogi Bhajan 6/20/93 

The Guru Ram Das Institute and Ashram in Estonia is offering since 2021 a Seva program for volunteers (“sevadars”), to come for a short or long-term in-depth experience of Ashram living and practice in the traditions of Kundalini Yoga, Sikh Dharma and Karam Kriya while spending time outdoors helping in the vegetable garden and general maintenance and running of the Ashram.

It takes 40-days for a transformation to happen – to get rid of a habit or to apply a new habit. We recognize it is not always possible to take 40 days to to the intensive transformation, so we are opening also opportunities for shorter or longer stay Seva at the Ashram.

• You can also join for a single day – to enjoy the clean air, nature walks, healthy food and do some garden work or rest.
• For day visits please check our calendar and look for SEVA OPEN DAY

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SEVA PROGRAM 2023
IS OPEN FROM MAY-AUGUST 2023

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What to expect

• Outdoor living in pure, clean environment in the forest, spending most of your day in the fresh air.
• Nordic deciduous forest weather, which in the spring means cool mornings, relative humid weather, warm days, mosquitoes.
• Nutritious vegan meals cooked together by yourself or other Sevadars
• Shared accommodation in a cabin equipped with furnace to be heating as needed for ladies (bedding provided), for lads cabin with temporary gas heating is provided.
• Outdoor showers, ecological dry toilets, ecological living powered by off-grid solar panels and pure water from a local well.
• Time to relax, unwind and get back to nature
• 25 hours of work per week, which means according to how you arrange it you could take 2 days off per week to relax or visit local villages, and other sights (arranged by yourself)
• A commitment to the principle of working with nature constantly look for ways to reduce waste, and give preference to natural, local and/or eco friendly products
• Two friendly cats living in the property, and occasional sightings of wild animals such as rabbits, foxes, hedgehogs and deer.
• One to four sevadars at the time
• Daily general cleaning routines like laundry, cooking, take care of the vegetable garden, small repairs, hosting guests/ groups
• Schedule accordingly to the Seva Program (see below)
• Discounts on yoga classes, workshops etc. during your stay as a sevadar.

What NOT to expect

• Counselling for any personal issues or mental problems (consultations can be booked separately and they have a cost of 60€ per hour). This includes as well personal yoga or meditation instruction or similar. We expect mature individuals who can take care of themselves and work as required.
• Regular flow of other volunteers or members of the community. There are periods of time when the Ashram is very quiet and it might be only few of us working in our own personal projects.
• Regular yoga classes, sadhana etc. We have a weekly yoga class and sadhanas only during training weeks when we are hosting a group. Participating in the weekly yoga class is free for sevadars, however participating in any other training, course, camp or retreat is by arrangement. You will get a discount however there is still financial requirement if you want to attend, and your regular responsibilities will have to be covered at other times.

Sevadars responsibilities

• Responsible, committed to the experience
• Working with an international team of Sevadars
•Complete your responsibility and jobs appointed
• Respect boundaries and good manners
• Good time management
• Cleanliness as godliness
• Conscious management of resources (including electricity, water, waste)
• Practice conscious and compassionate communication
• A strong commitment to go through the experience of change and transformation
• Do your part in maintaining a vibrant and elevating atmosphere in the Ashram
• Working 25 hrs per week (own schedule upon agreement) eg, 5 days of 5 hours work and two days off per week (this does not include leading sadhana, kirtan, etc).
• Sevadars are asked to participate (or lead if you are a kundalini yogi or teacher) in sadhana and kirtan which takes place in the dome or outside depending on the weather.
• Attend weekly Ashram team meetings
• If needed, private consultations with Sukhdev Kaur can be booked separately (at an extra cost)

Sevadar program commitment and requirements:

• Minimum stay of 10 days (this is to get adjusted and to actually be able to get some work done)
• Travel costs need to be covered by you fully, as well as any outings or extra food expenses, personal shopping list etc.
• have a valid residence permit in Europe and a valid health insurance for the full duration of your stay.
• We are a lacto-vegetarian (egg- and meat free) community and we do not allow any animal or alcohol consumption in the Ashram.
• Before you apply, please READ AND AGREE to the Ashram’s House Rules found here.
• We kindly invite volunteers to do a symbolic donation to the ashram for food costs etc.

To Register:

Fill up the form below. If you have any inquiries please contact Sukhdev Kaur sukhdevkaur@khalsa.com