The Rotational Volunteer Experience

THE EXPERIENCE AS A ROTATIONAL VOLUNTEER AT MOUNT MADONNA

SOME OF YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED

Mount Madonna holds space for personal transformation.

Through a community of practice, stewardship of sacred land, preservation of wisdom, and lifelong learning, Mount Madonna exists to support and foster peace in the world.

Have you ever wondered what it is like to live, serve, and grow in a community grounded in spiritual practice and selfless service?

At Mount Madonna Center, volunteering is more than just helping out: it is an invitation to embrace a lifestyle of mindful self-growth, serving something greater than yourself, while being supported by—and giving back to—a multigenerational spiritual community. On a mountaintop overlooking Monterey Bay, Karma Yoga (path of selfless action) is not just a goal but a lived, vital practice woven into the daily rhythm of life on the mountain.

Volunteers come for many reasons: to take a break from busy modern life, to deepen their Yoga journey, to explore community living, and to return to source.

At the heart of it all is a simple (and profound!) saying from our founding teacher and inspiration, Baba Hari Dass:

These four principles guide how we live and serve together on the mountain—through purposeful action, daily spiritual practice, authentic connection, and joy in community.

Below, you will find answers to some of the most common questions from prospective volunteers.

Q: What is Karma Yoga at Mount Madonna?

Karma Yoga, the path of selfless action, is one of the foundational practices at Mount Madonna. It is not a work-trade or a job in disguise—it is a way of being.

As Baba Hari Dass wrote:

At Mount Madonna, practicing Karma Yoga through volunteering offers a daily chance to turn action into awareness. As a volunteer, you will work in the kitchen, garden, maintenance crew, guest support team, and more, bringing mindfulness, adaptability, and heartfelt effort to every task.

Q: Is the role of a volunteer physically demanding?

A: Yes. You are expected to do real, hands-on work, such as cleaning, lifting, carrying, walking hills, working in the kitchen, or helping with set-up and break-down for events. Some tasks can be repetitive or tiring, and our volunteers often find they are on their feet for much of the day.

While the schedule includes rest time, this is not a retreat. You will serve in essential roles that support the daily operations of the community, as both a home to our residents and staff and a retreat center for our guests.

Q: What does a typical week look like for a volunteer?

A: You will serve 28 Community Volunteer (CV) hours over six days per week. The work is hands-on and requires a willingness to show up with presence and flexibility. The remaining time is yours to practice, connect, and explore.

Your week will include:

• 23 scheduled hours of hands-on service; the schedule changes from week to week
• 3 hours of yoga classes—asana (postures), pranayama (breathing techniques), and meditation—rooted in the teachings of Baba Hari Dass and taught by senior students of his, as well as other experienced practitioners
• 1.5 hours of Community Orientation & Reflection Experience (CORE), a weekly circle led by founders and long-time community members exploring themes of Yoga, service, and community
• 0.5 hours of resident support time
• Three nourishing vegetarian meals per day (two plus a snack on Saturdays), shared in a communal setting
• Access to ritual practices at the Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple, such as arati (ritual of light), kirtan (devotional singing), and other special events, as desired (optional)
• One full day off each week for rest, personal practice, or exploration
• Access to the campus, including miles of trails through redwoods and rolling meadows

Volunteer schedules are designed to support the overall rhythm of the Center and maintain balance across the community. Each person’s service schedule is unique. Shifts may begin as early as 6:30 a.m. and end as late as 7:15 p.m., with two to five scheduled periods per day, including breaks in between. We aim to create a balanced schedule that supports both meaningful service and space for self-exploration.

This volunteer arrangement includes a waiver of all fees, meaning there is no financial exchange between you and Mount Madonna while you are enrolled in the residential volunteer program.

Q: In what areas might I be serving?

A: CV hours center on activities that foster shared ownership, practical support, and connection. Your placement will depend on both community and operational needs. Areas include:

• Kitchen, Dining Room & Dishes: Support the preparation, service, set-up, and clean-up of daily meals. Tasks may include food prep, putting away ingredients, sweeping, mopping, and handling dish loads (up to 30 lbs).
• Gate Arrivals & Temple Parking: Welcome and direct guests as they arrive, particularly during busy weekends or events.
• Events & Hospitality: Assist with setting up and breaking down spaces for programs and retreats.
• Recycling & Resource Management: Help maintain our recycling systems and manage campus resource use.
• Landscaping / Stewardship / Garden: Maintain campus grounds and structures, including mowing, weeding, trimming, watering, and fire abatement. Garden support may be included as needed.
• General Housekeeping: Clean and care for shared facilities. Tasks may include vacuuming, mopping, restocking supplies, and wiping down surfaces.
• Maintenance & Carpentry: Support opportunities may be available for those with specialized experience or relevant technical skills.

Q: What is the community like?

A: Mount Madonna is an intentional gathering place for people choosing a lifestyle of conscious self-development. Over the course of nearly 50 years, a rich culture of relationship and care has developed, welcoming guests, volunteers, and residents alike into a shared space of collaboration, practice, service, devotion, and play.

Meals, classes, and common spaces are shared among residents and guests, and social connection arises naturally through daily life. Approximately 70 residents, alongside a vibrant network of short- and long-term volunteers, hold the container for our community and work in the world.

While the whole community does not gather regularly, smaller groups come together often for poetry nights, writers’ group, volleyball games, and other resident-led events that nourish connection and creativity.

Q: Is this a religious place? Do I have to follow a guru?

A: While Mount Madonna is inspired by the teachings of Baba Hari Dass (Babaji), we are not affiliated with any specific religion, and there is no required belief system.

Babaji’s teachings emphasize personal discipline, selfless service, and inner transformation.

We welcome people from all backgrounds and walks of life who feel called to grow and serve with sincerity.

Q: What is the food like? Are dietary restrictions accommodated?

A: Meals are vegetarian, nourishing, and often highlight fresh produce and homemade staples. They are served buffet-style, with vegan and gluten-free options available at every meal. Most people find the food to be delicious and varied.

If you have severe allergies or medical dietary restrictions, please let us know in advance. While we offer some gluten-free options, our kitchen is not nut-free or fully gluten-free, and accommodations may not be possible. Volunteers are responsible for managing their own safety with care.

Q: What kind of housing is offered?

A: Volunteers are provided with private rooms with shared bathrooms. Housing is simple and comfortable, designed to support a peaceful, focused lifestyle. Couples may request to be housed together as space allows.

Q: Is there space for creativity, time in nature, and rest?

A: Yes. As a volunteer, you will have some time every day, plus one full day off each week. The land itself is a sanctuary, featuring quiet spots for solitude, forest trails for reflection, and communal areas for inspiration and connection. Additional options include visiting the Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple, relaxing in the outdoor hot tub, enjoying a specialty drink at Anjaneya’s World Cafe, browsing the literary selections at Oceanview Books & Gifts, or booking an Ayurvedic consultation or massage at Kaya Kalpa Wellness Center (at your own expense).

Q: How do I know if I’m a good fit for this program?

A: You will find fulfillment as a volunteer at Mount Madonna if you are:

• Curious about living in an intentional community
• Eager to grow, adapt, and reflect
• Open to feedback, honest communication, and shared space
• Willing to contribute energy and effort where it is needed most
• Ready to explore purpose through action…

If each of these rings true for you, you may find that volunteering at Mount Madonna is like coming home.

Mount Madonna maintains a policy of providing equal opportunity in all aspects of volunteerism. It is our policy to ensure equal employment and volunteer opportunity for all persons regardless of race, color, religion, age, disability, national origin, creed, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, or any other non-merit factor.

Q: What are the costs?

A: There is no fee to apply or to volunteer. You are responsible for personal expenses (snacks, laundry supplies, bodywork, etc.), but accommodations and meals are provided at no cost.

Q: Are there any prerequisites before applying?

A: No prior Yoga or community experience is required. We will ask you to:

• Complete an inquiry form
• Submit an application
• Attend a series of interviews over Zoom to explore whether this opportunity is the right fit
• Commit to three or even six months (or more!) to volunteering

Q: I’m ready! How do I apply?

A: Wonderful! You may apply for a three-month session, with the option to extend for additional session(s) upon approval. Spots fill quickly, especially in the spring and summer, so we recommend applying early.

👉 Visit our Volunteer Program Page to get started.

Upcoming Sessions:
Fall Session: September 23, 2025 – December 7, 2025 — Accepting applications NOW!
Winter Session: December 9, 2025 – March 8, 2026
Spring Session: March 10, 2026 – June 7, 2026
Summer Session: June 9, 2026 – September 13, 2026

Live simply. Serve fully. Work honestly. Grow together.

Stay tuned for upcoming blog posts—featuring day-in-the-life reflections, volunteer testimonials, seasonal highlights, and more from the mountain.

We invite you to learn more about Mount Madonna’s mission, community, governance, and history.