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 July 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.
Application & Interviews
Application is now open, until May 25th. We encourage anyone who is interested to apply as soon as possible. After applying, each participant will be invited for a 30-45 minute interview with Lisa and Rick. We have 8 places available for the program.
You can apply through filling in:
The Arc of the Program
Program and Pilgrimage Dates
– June 23, 2026: We will begin the online portion of the program with meetings every two weeks to build community, prepare psycho-spiritually for the pilgrimage in Nepal and clarify one´s intention and vision for an Earth Treasure Vase. (Meeting times TBD)
– October 25-November 12, 2026: Pilgrimage to Solu Khumbu in Eastern Nepal. Here, we will craft or receive a new generation of Earth Treasure Vases. We will visit the cave where Cynthia met the old Charok Lama in 1990, and visit several other sacred sites including the high altitude Gokyo Lakes.
– Following the pilgrimage: we will continue to gather online with our last meeting on January 12, 2027 to integrate our experiences in Nepal. When the 6-month program has finished, participants are invited to take part in a Stewardship Circle where they will receive further community support for their ETV stewardship journey.
Meeting Dates:
June 23, 2026 – opening session
July 7, 2026
July 21, 2026
August 4, 2026
August 25, 2026
September 8, 2026
September 22, 2026
October 6, 2026
October 20, 2026
October 25 – November 12: Pilgrimage to Solu Khumbu, Nepal *
November 24, 2026
December 8, 2026
January 12, 2027 – closing session
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 are happy to be able to offer the entire program, including pilgrimage, for $2,850.00. In addition, the non-profit Dharma Gates has generously pledged a $1,000 contribution toward covering airfare for each participant. (Dharma Gates Funding will be on a reimbursement basis, flights must be purchased before participants receive the contribution) Please note, participants are responsible for their own air-fare to Nepal as well as private travel and health insurance and incidentals.
Note: This price does not include the required travel and health insurance for this trip. We will provide you with more information about the required travel and health insurance upon completing your application, but it is estimated to be around $250.
A deposit of $850 is requested after admission to the program to secure your place. The final payment needs to be completed by June 1st.
We are working on a policy that takes into consideration the current situation in the Middle East and the impact it has on air-travel. It is uncertain what the situation will look like at the time of our pilgrimage and we would like to offer a fair refund-policy. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to us.
Program and Pilgrimage dates
The online portion of the program will begin Tuesday, June 23rd, and culminate January 12, 2027. We will meet every two weeks, with a few exceptions. We will be covering several different time-zones between our group; once we get a sense of all participants, we will determine the exact timing for our sessions. Below are the dates for the 12 online sessions and Nepal pilgrimage dates. We request each participant make an effort to be present for all online sessions.
- June 23, 2026 – opening session
- July 7, 2026
- July 21, 2026
- August 4, 2026
- August 25, 2026
- September 8, 2026
- September 22, 2026
- October 6, 2026
- October 20, 2026
- October 25 – November 12: Pilgrimage to Solu Khumbu, Nepal *
- November 24, 2026
- December 8, 2026
- January 12, 2027 – closing session
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.