Thank you for your interest in taking part in the Service Program at the Monastic Academy for the Preservation of Life on Earth (MAPLE).

<aside> 👍 Completing the application process puts you in a pool for future Service opportunities.

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Before beginning the application process please consider the qualities we are looking for when we assess applicants for the Service Program...

Things We Are Looking For

These are things that we are actively looking for in the application process. If you are in alignment with one or more of these points then the program may be a great fit for you.

• You care deeply about the existential risks facing life on earth, and feel an urgent need to do something about it
• You are a natural leader who has already achieved a lot in the world, but you can see that it’s not working — and it’s not enough
• You are open to totally transforming your own life in order to live in alignment with the truths of our current era
• You have already sat at least one weeklong meditation retreat (preferably more), and feel a desperation to achieve awakening
• You are mature, resilient, self-confident, and autonomous, with strong boundaries and a high degree of self-trust
• You could potentially already see yourself staying at MAPLE, if it was the right fit, for a year or more
• You are receptive to Buddhist teachings and teachings from other traditions.

Things We Are Cautious Of

These are things that we are looking out for in the application process, and that may mean that the Apprenticeship program is not a good fit for you.

• You are uncomfortable in high-intensity training environments
• You are in a particularly vulnerable or unstable time in your mental or physical health
• You have triggers around authority and hierarchy (i.e. you would be uncomfortable operating in a spiritual community with a revered teacher)
• You have difficulty accepting constructive or negative feedback without descending into shame or self-hatred
• You have difficulty identifying, asserting, and advocating for your own needs
• You have never sat a weeklong meditation retreat
• A lack of understanding about the uniqueness of MAPLE and its mission
• Approaching this as an experience to be consumed, with no possibility of a deeper relationship

What does a MAPLE Stewardship involve?

Some things for potential apprentices to consider:

• The MAPLE Service Program is a full-time commitment, and by joining the program, you are committing to stay in the program for the entire duration of the training period, as well as fully participate to the best of your ability. This means following the schedule, rules, and structures 100%.
  • Note: If it's determined that the commitment is not a good fit for both you and for MAPLE, it may make sense to end the apprenticeship early.
• Here is a link to our daily schedule. This schedule is the backbone of our community and it is required that you follow it. (Occasional exceptions are made for things like illness or injury.)
• We do the Responsibility schedule most days and usually have one retreat week each month.
• Stewards will join the Buildings & Grounds team, where they will perform manual labor tasks such as: cooking, cleaning, clearing trails, chopping wood, laundry, etc. This comprises the majority of their responsibilities. Work responsibilities are determined by what is needed for the org and may also include computer tasks, audio/video work, or whatever is needed at the time.
• Stewards may participate in fundraising meetings and exercises. Fundraising is an important part of our leadership training, and all residents and apprentices may at times assist with fundraising—for example, reaching out to community members, friends and family for donations.
• Stewards will be expected to follow the guidance of our Teachers (Soryu Forall or others depending on the season). The Teacher will give individualized meditation assignments, give dharma talks, and give general feedback and direction on how to live a life in accord with goodness, truth, and beauty. The community relishes in the opportunity to hear these teachings. Finding the right spiritual teacher for you should be an important consideration of whether MAPLE is the right place to do your spiritual training! Our YouTube channel has many talks that will help you get a sense of the teachings here.
• The training puts emphasis on the Eightfold Path and the Buddha's teachings as guidelines for how to practice Responsibility and Awakening. They are not the only maps for practice, but many of the talks and practices will have a Buddhist focus.
• At MAPLE, we practice regular Circling. We also use the Bio-Emotive Framework, a way to process emotions.
• MAPLE is a fragrance-free space, and we take this quite seriously. We therefore prohibit the use of chemicals (bleach, WD-40, etc.), perfume / cologne, fragranced shampoos and soaps, etc.

If you'd like to continue with the application process, please go through the following steps...

🎧 Gain an Understanding of MAPLE

Listen or watch the first talk in the MAPLE Ethos series. You will be asked about this talk in the application.

We encourage you to listen to the rest of the talks in the series, but you are only required to listen to the first.

MAPLE Ethos Series by Monastic Academy (Center for Mindful Learning)