In the tradition of the Buddha, all Dharma teachings are offered freely and many people offer their time and skills as unpaid volunteers to help the work of Gaia House.
The Standard Rate for retreats is kept as low as possible and simply covers our operating costs. For the financial health of the Gaia House community, we need all retreatants who are able, to pay the Standard Rate – but we acknowledge that for some people it is not possible.
Our aim is to ensure that everyone has the chance to experience a Retreat at Gaia House, whatever their financial circumstances. For this reason we have various options, such as the Supported Rate, (see below) available for anyone who cannot afford the Standard Rate.
For those unable to pay the Supported Rate, additional financial assistance is also available from the Retreatant Support Fund .
Please click on the links to see more information and find out which options are appropriate for you.
Financial support for retreatants:
- The Supported Rate: The Supported Rate is lower than the Standard Rate and is available when booking, to all who cannot afford the Standard Rate. Simply select the ‘Supported Rate’ option when booking on-line, or request from Reception when booking. This rate is available on request and no financial details are necessary.
- If you need further financial help to come on retreat, please apply to the Retreatant Support Fund (RSF), when you book.
The Retreatant Support Fund (RSF):
The Retreatant Support Fund (RSF) was established to help anyone unable to meet the costs of going on retreat at Gaia House. It is financed by donations from other meditators, cancellation fees and the Sponsor Rate available for Group Retreats. It enables any retreatant to apply to pay just 60% of the standard cost of a Group or Personal retreat.
In circumstances where individuals do not feel able to afford even a 60% rate, we encourage you to contact us to discuss what you might be able to afford, as we are keen that cost does not prevent anyone from coming on retreat to Gaia House.
You may stay up to a maximum of 30 nights in any one year with a combination of Group or Personal Retreats at this special rate. If you would like to know more about the RSF and how to apply to benefit from this rate, contact our reception team for further details and an application form. Please be assured that information about your personal circumstances will not be required. (RSF is not available on-line – please phone or write.)
The Young Persons’ Rate offers places on the Group Retreat Programme to young people, at a reduced rate.
This rate is specifically for young people aged between 16 – 25 years old and offers Group Retreats at 30% of the Standard Rate.
There are a limited number of places available for each retreat so please contact reception to check availability and to book. (This rate is not available on-line.)
Summer camping at Gaia House:
There are a small number of camping places available on Group Retreats. These are only available during the summer months and are at a lower cost than the Supported Rate. Please note: You will need to bring all your own camping equipment, you camp at your own risk and if it rains (as it does at lot in Devon!), sorry, but we cannot accommodate you in the main house.
If you are an experienced meditation practitioner in robust good health, you can apply for a Work Retreat placement. The work directly contributes to the well-being of the Gaia House community and is one way you can help to keep rates as low as possible. You commit to staying with us for a minimum of two weeks, up to a maximum of three months.
Bursary for Personal Retreat of 90 Days:
Bursaries – heavily subsidised retreats – for 3-month Personal Retreats, are available at certain times of the year. These are suitable only for experienced and committed Dharma practitioners.
For further information and availability please contact the reception team on ku.oc.esuohaiagnull@ofni or 01626 333613.
Helping other people to go onrRetreat:
If you have benefited from your time at Gaia House, donating to the Retreatant Support Fund is a wonderful way to express generosity towards people who cannot afford the cost of a retreat. Donations of any amount are always very gratefully received.
- The Sponsor Rate:
The Sponsor Rate is an opportunity to help keep Gaia House accessible to all by ‘sponsoring’ someone else to come on retreat at the Supported Rate. The extra money is a donation which goes directly into the Retreatant Support Fund (RSF). To become a benefactor in this way, select ‘Sponsor Rate’, in the drop down menu, when booking your Group Retreat on-line – or mention when you book by phone or post. (Please note that the Sponsor Rate includes a donation to the Retreatant Support Fund, which is non-refundable.)
Please click this link to see Gaia House Current Retreat Rates.
Find out more about Dana – the Buddhist tradition of generosity.
