GAIA MANDALA
GLOBAL HEALING COMMUNITY
APPLICATIONS ARE OPEN for:
The 6-month Leadership Program for
Aspiring Change-Makers
A program for young adults between age 23 and 35
Solu Khumbu, Eastern Nepal
“Young people need meaningful challenges and genuine guidance in order to find their place
in the world and feel a sense of belonging to something that matters.”
– Michael Meade (Mythologist and Youth-Mentor)
In June of this year, we will begin a very special hybrid program (online and in-person) in which a small group of young adults, ages 23 to 35, will be invited to cross the threshold into the adventure of a lifetime. The aim of this program is to empower one another to step more fully into our authentic life path, to cultivate a stronger sense of belonging to community (human and earth), to grow our resiliency and capacity to meet the myriad challenges of our times, and to discover and deepen our commitment to a path in service to life. In order to facilitate this process of growth and maturation, each participant will have the opportunity to craft and steward an Earth Treasure Vase, dedicated to a cause they care deeply about.
This program will offer the guidance and support necessary to find answers to questions, such as:
- What do I care about most deeply at this time?
- How am I called to be a steward for positive change—for the Earth and for my community?
- What is my true and authentic path?
- And what is needed for me to step (more fully) into that vision?
We intend for this program to be a true Rite of Passage, in which participants undergo a real and tangible transformation that will lead them deeper into the unique river of their true and authentic life. Once we have entered that river and have discovered ways to flow with it, we enter a way of life and being that is in direct reciprocity with and in service to life. We need a community of like-minded hearts and minds to walk our paths, especially when what we aspire to seems to move against the mainstream current.
Apply Now
We have 8 spots available for this program. We will admit applicants on a rolling basis. It is possible that we will not be able to enroll everyone who applies for the program. We receive applications between March 9th and May 15th and recommend applying early. Online interviews will take place during April and May.
To apply we ask you to fill in a personal questionnaire and an extensive health intake. The high-altitude pilgrimage in Nepal is a serious expedition and we would like everyone to be well-prepared and safe. Your information helps us to assess your readiness for this program and pilgrimage and will help us to act appropriately when it is needed in the mountains.
To apply please fill in these two forms:
Once admitted we will request a non-refundable deposit. We will share more details by early April.
The Arc of the Program
Program and Pilgrimage DatesThe online portion of the program with meetings 2x a month will start around the Summer Solstice (June 21st), exact dates will be confirmed as soon as possible.
The Nepal pilgrimage will take place from October 25th to November 12th, 2026. October 25th being the latest day of arrival in Kathmandu and November 12th being the day we arrive back to Kathmandu from Lukla. Our program starts the evening of October 25th and the evening of November 12th we will finish. Much more detailed information about the itinerary and all other things you need to know about this trip will come soon.
Who is this program for?
This program is for young people (+- age 23 to 35) who are concerned about the state of our world and are seeking to find or deepen their authentic path in order to contribute to the healing, protection and regeneration needed in countless ways and places on our planet. Becoming an Earth Treasure Vase steward is a path of meditation in action, of engaged spirituality, or what we call sacred activism. Stewardship requires a mental-emotional stability, a pro-active way of being and an authentic yearning to step more deeply into life with a courageous, curious and open heart. If you recognize yourself in this description and feel the call, do reach out to us!
Program Guides
Rick Jansen works together with Cynthia Jurs and Alliance for the Earth (AE) since Spring 2022 and currently serves as Program Director and teacher/facilitator for AE. After stewarding an Earth Treasure Vase for Tibet, he now leads a Community Stewardship Project around a Vase for the Andes in Peru. Rick carries a deep connection with both the Tibetan Buddhist tradition and the Plum Village tradition of Thich Nhat Hanh. He has also trained and now assists in Vision-Fast and Rites of Passage work with the School of Lost Borders (California) enacting his own calling to support primarily young adults in finding their authentic path.
Dr. Lisa Hendrickis a licensed Naturopathic doctor, death doula, and ritualist with an extensive background in anthropology, ethnobotany and herbal medicine. She has lived and studied with indigenous healers around the world, and is currently living in Nepal where she is deeply immersed in the study of Tibetan Buddhism. Lisa has a passion for working with young people, and uses tools such as vision fast, spiritual council, and meditation to support her clients. Lisa is also a part of the Community Stewardship Project around the Earth Treasure Vase for the Andes in Peru. Guest Teacher
Charok Sherpa Lama is the recognized reincarnation of Kushok Mangden Rinpoche, the lama who first entrusted the Earth Treasure Vase practice to Cynthia Jurs. He was born in the Solu Khumbu region of Nepal. After studying at Kopan Monastery and Sera Je Monastic University, he now travels the world, teaching Buddhist philosophy and practical insights on mindfulness, compassion, and living with purpose. He will join us as a guest-teacher on occasion during the online portion and we will have the opportunity to meet with him in person, either in Santa Fe or in Nepal.
Logistical Details
Financial investment
We aim to make this program accessible to anyone who is eligible and would like to join. We have secured some funding which allows us to offer this program for a very fair financial investment (between $2500-3000 for the full six months, including the pilgrimage in Nepal, excluding airfare). Non-profit organization Dharma Gates has offered to additionally cover airfare up to $1000. Limited additional scholarships may be available. Early April we expect to offer more exact information about the financial investment.
Info-sessions
We will host several online info-sessions for those interested to learn more about the program. The first info-session was on February 21st at 10am EST. You can register to receive the recording here.