Participate

The greatest support you can give the centre is to participate in the retreats and workshops that we offer. Those who would like to come when a retreat is not going on may also book self-catering lodging for self-retreats.

We have an array of projects on which we need help. Currently our main project is remodelling the farmhouse to make it a pleasant environment for retreatants. Many people have already helped, we have a good start, but more help will be needed to complete this project. We also have other needs: painting needs, carpenter needs, and gardening needs… plus plumbing, drainage, and much more.

Each of you is invited to join us in work activities and is invited to stay overnight if you would like. Our current schedule is morning meditation at 7:30AM, breakfast, work period until lunch around 12:30, naptime if needed, work period again, tea breaks when needed, a light meal around 6PM, and evening meditation at 7:30PM. If you would like to come to help, please call or even email us so we can coordinate our efforts (there may be no residential space if a retreat is going on).

Occasionally, though not often, we may need help in supporting an ongoing retreat. If you would like to help out, please contact us.

We have no power tools and almost no basic tools, so good power tools are needed, as well as basic tools. The short list of power tools includes: skillsaw, sawzall, cordless drill (at least 18V), and a gasoline chain saw. The short list of non-power tools includes: a set of drill bits, a set of socket and flat wrenches, screwdrivers, vice-grip wenches (different sizes), pliers (ordinary, needle-tip, adjustable), and a large metal tool box. As you can see, we are looking to have the basic tools for a rural site like Sunyata. We also need a few hoes for uprooting weeds and a couple of leaf rakes.

In addition to tools, we need some furniture: coffee tables, bedside lockers, comfortable armchairs, rocking chairs, and lamps of all kinds. We also need three additional Hoovers, one microwave, quality stainless-steel pots (we have some), a laundry washer for the farmhouse, and a compact microphone/speaker system for the meditation hall. If anyone can donate any of these or any of the tools above, please let us know.

We very much could use sponsors for the entire new kitchen in the farmhouse or for part of the kitchen (lino, five burner stove or larger, stainless steel tables, and cabinets). We could also use folks to sponsor fixing our two trimmers (assuming they are worth fixing) or getting a new one.

We are always appreciative of contributions and there are two ways you can do this.
(Sunyata, registered as a 'limited-by-guarantee' company, aims to attain charitable status shortly.)

1. To make a regular monthly contribution: please fill in the form (download form)
and return to:
Sunyata Retreat Centre, Snata, Sixmilebridge, Co Clare, Ireland.

2. To make a once-off contribution: please make your cheque payable to Sunyata Retreat Centre and return to the centre at the above address (or put in the donation box at the centre).