Explore life in an intentional community and retreat center based on universal spiritual principles. It’s ideal for anyone seeking a summer internship, gap-year program, mid-life transition, or lifestyle change, to develop healthy habits and routines for a balanced and vibrant life.
- Develop a daily practice of meditation
- Learn life skills through vegetarian cooking, small-scale farming, construction, hospitality, and facility maintenance.
- Making lifelong connections with like‑minded friends.
- Contribute to a new vision for the world, based on small communities that value a meaningful inner life through simple living and high thinking.
Would you like to learn more? Call 503-746-6229 or write to .
Visit Living in Community to explore our community philosophy and residential programs.
We strongly encourage you to begin your internship with a First Timers’ Weekend, which will give you a full introduction into meditation practices and community life. The cost of one First Timers’ Weekend is waived for interns.
Learn life skills while incorporating universal spiritual principles into your everyday life.
- Vegetarian Cooking
- Small-scale Farming
- Retreat Center Hospitality and Marketing
- Buildings & Grounds
- Creative Arts
Fees for the Karma Yoga Internship include:
- Experience in developing life skills in small-scale farming, cooking, construction, maintenance, hospitality trades
- Classes on meditation, universal truths, and yogic principles
- Three, delicious, vegetarian meals each day
Dormitory-style housing with private bedroom and bathroom down the hall- All utilities and reliable wifi included
- Access to 200 acres of rural land, hiking trails, and communal spaces for meditation, art, study, exercise, and recreation
Personalized support in developing spiritual practices, navigating community living and life transitions, creating special projects, and reflecting on your experience- Cost of First Timers’ Weekend, if one occurs during your stay
It’s easy to start the process of joining Ananda Center at Laurelwood with two simple steps.
1. Application – Download the application and email it as a text or PDF file to . You may also complete the application by hand and mail it to 38950 SW Laurelwood Rd, Gaston, OR 97119.
Internship Application – For the Karma Yoga Internship ($650/month plus cleaning deposit).
2. Application fee – Submit your $30 application fee on-line
Your typical day of community life will look something like this:
6:30 – 8:00 am Group meditation
8:00 – 8:30 am Breakfast (in silence until 8:30)
8:30– 9:00 am Community circle
9:00– 12:00 pm Service shift or free time
12:15– 12:45 pm Noon meditation
12:45 – 1:30 pm Lunch
1:30– 4:00 pm Service shift or free time
4:30 – 6:15 pm Free time
6:00– 6:30 pm Dinner
6:30– 9:00 pm Service shift, group activity, or free time
Interns agree to attend one group meditation session each day, all intern classes, and 32 hours of helping others each week.
