Khidmat: Spiritual Service at the Abode

Khidmat is the Abode’s work service-study program. The Khadim chooses a mentor from among several Sufi teachers resident at the Abode. During weekly meetings, the mentor aids the Khadim in designing a program of readings and practices to deepen understanding and promote realization. The pool of mentors represents a broad cross-section of the activities of the Sufi Order International, so the Khadim should be able to choose a mentor who can address his or her deepest interest. Khidmat participants meet together with a program coordinator once a week or so, to share their experiences and explore questions that may have arisen during the course of their studies. From time to time, a “tea and cookies evening” is arranged to give the Khadim an opportunity to chat informally with visiting senior teachers. The Khadim’s work service obligation is 25 hours per week. Other residency responsibilities include three hours Karma Yoga weekly, and participation in monthly work days Apply online.

Work Exchange

Work exchange without a study component is also available. 30 hours of work per week in exchange for room and board is a somewhat less structured arrangement that still allows participation in classes and meetings offered in the Khidmat program. There opportunities to work in a variety of areas at the Abode: housekeeping, groundskeeping, clerical, maintenance, and farming are numbered among them. We try to match an applicants interests with work opportunities, with the understanding that assignments may shift from week to week as needs require. Work exchange participants take part in community life, and have the same karma yoga and work day commitments as any other residents. Apply online.