Youth Leadership is an opportunity for young people, ages 16-30 to spend the summer at a meditation retreat center with their peers, make new friends from around the world, help out the local community, and explore the many riches of the Shambhala Path, Dechen Choling and the surrounding French countryside.

Here's how it works:

For a few hours a day participants will help out the local Dechen Choling community on a special project to enrich the center. This light work exchange helps to keep the cost of the program to a minimum (only 10 Euro per day!). The rest of the day will be spent doing a variety of activities including: daily meditation in mornings and evenings (instruction provided for beginners), contemplative art classes, Buddhist and Shambhala talks and discussions (topics chosen by participants), yoga, leadership training, field trips to explore the local culture and history of the Limosin region, and lots of time to have fun and get to know each other.

During the last week of the program, the Youth Leadership participants will act as teachers and mentors to the children at Family Camp by leading the 3 hour morning children's program, while the parents meditate. This is an opportunity to put our practice into action and create an enriching experience for the children by applying the various techniques and teachings learned in the previous week- compassion, leadership, mindfulness, and working with different energies and emotions.

Shambhala has a wealth of teachings on how to be a genuine and effective leader. We will explore this through contemplative practices, teachings and discussions with senior students and visiting teachers who have incorporated these teachings into their personal and professional lives. Workshops will be given by senior teachers and Acharyas. All participants will be part of a close group who live, work, practice, and celebrate together.

It is also optional to come early/stay later and be part of the DCL Summer Volunteer Program.

Please contact Sophie Maclaren if you have questions or would like more information sophie_maclaren@shambhala-europe.org

Programme price

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