Karma Yoga

Cooking Apprenticeship Program

A 3-month program

Do you want to learn how to cook balanced vegetarian meals – while deepening your own spiritual understanding and practices?

The Cooking Apprenticeship Program at The Expanding Light is a special program designed for those who want to cook with the spirit of serving God in everything you do.

We invite a select few, creative and high-energy people, to join us in our joyfully active kitchen to learn while serving. You will play an important role in meal preparation with our kitchen staff and karma yogis – and serving our guests.

In addition to your service in the kitchen, you will participate in classes and programs on spirituality and spiritual practices.

“I cannot possibly express my thanks for the opportunity to serve in the capacity as apprentice chef. My spiritual practices progressed easily with the work schedule that I followed.

“I’m very grateful for all of the friends I’ve made, meals I’ve made, and large functions I’ve been able to attend or take part in creating. My life will certainly move in a more centered and enlightening direction after my stay and service at Ananda.”

– Nolan, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

What You’ll Learn

  • The basics of cooking balanced, delicious vegetarian meals
  • Principles of a yogic diet and cooking
  • How to cook with a consciousness of sharing God in everything you do
  • Practical, down-to-earth methods of running a busy retreat kitchen, including maintenance, cleaning, and safety
  • Vegetarian restaurant operation
  • Interacting with fellow staff in a supportive and cooperative manner
  • How to bring Spirit into everything you do
  • Infuse food with love!

You will have required texts to read to support your spiritual development, and you will have the opportunity (and expectation) to attend yoga and meditation sessions. On completion of your successful service, you’ll receive a Vegetarian Cooking Certificate.

The Expanding Light Retreat is part of Ananda Village, which after 41 years, is one of the most successful intentional communities – and spiritual communities — in the world. All the programs of The Expanding Light are based on the teachings of Paramhansa Yogananda, and we teach the techniques of meditation and yogic lifestyle as explained by Yogananda.

People of all faiths and backgrounds are welcome as guests and as Cooking Apprentices. During your time here, you will have the opportunity to go further on your own spiritual path in a professional and spiritual environment.

Applications for Karma Yoga and Cooking Apprenticeship Program

If you wish to apply for this program, please download, complete and return the Karma Yoga and Medical Applications forms and return along with your resume and 2 work references.

To apply for either of these programs, choose ONE of the options below:

  1. Adobe PDF

    Print out the applications and mail or fax them with your resume and references. To read or print this file, you will need the free software, Adobe Reader. Go to the Adobe web site to download Acrobat Reader.
  2. MS Word document

     Fill in on your computer and e-mail back to us along with your resume and references. You must have Microsoft Word installed on your computer to use this option.

    NOTE: It is best to right-click on the download link above, save the file to disk (Save Target As in Explorer), open in MS Word, then under the File menu in Word, Send To, Mail Recipient (as attachment).

Questions? Please e-mail premdas@expandinglight.org or call 800-346-5350 or 530-478-7518.

Jyoti Spearin

Kitchen Manager and Head Chef

Jyoti Spearin

Jyoti Spearin is a minister, and a Raja and Hatha Yoga teacher.

Before coming to Ananda, Jyoti managed and cooked for a large catering and event-planning business, and later owned and cooked for a successful vegetarian restaurant in British Columbia. She has an extraordinary gift for creating meals that are beautiful, healthful and digestible, yummy, and satisfying.

Managing The Expanding Light Kitchen, she brings tremendous talent, as well as a nature that is full of joy and fun; she is the kindest friend to all.

Jyoti has been teaching meditation since 1988, and has shared meditation and Ananda Yoga® in many colleges and hospitals.

Guests consistently tell us how much she added to their experience here.

Cost

$1600 for 3 mos with $100 deposit, $1100 on arrival, $200 at start of months 2 & 3.

Price is all-inclusive and covers accommodations, meals, classes, activities, and course materials.

For more information, e-mail Premdas at premdas@expandinglight.org or call him at 800-346-5350 or 530-478-7518, ext. 7098.