Thank you for your interest in assisting Solsara! We hope this experience will be as rewarding for you as it has been for us! Please read this page thoroughly and apply below.

We gather a team of about 8-12 assistants for each Immersion, or multi-day event, that volunteer their time to both continue their own practice and be of service. Some assistants are new to this practice and may have just recently completed their first Immersion, while others have been deeply engaged and have assisted at Solsara for many years. All assistants must have completed at least one 3-day Immersion prior to applying to assist.

Assisting is a different and powerful way to participate in a Solsara Immersion, with a primary focus on being there to serve others. The purpose of assisting is to create the most conducive environment possible for the students to learn about themselves and the practice of Solsara, and to expand into the glorious fullness of their authentic selves. Our job as assistants is to create and hold a beautiful, still, and empty container in which the students' natural response is to trust and to open. We achieve this by bringing ourselves fully present, with clarity, focus, intention, and open hearts.

There are two main aspects to assisting:

• Supporting the students' physical needs by setting up, maintaining, and cleaning the classroom and other spaces and preparing tea, water, and snacks.

• Interacting with the students to support them in their learning and growth (we will provide training on this throughout the weekend).

While your focus is on being there for the students, assisting is also an opportunity to deepen your own learning and practice, and will offer ample opportunities for you to recognize and let go of attachments, practice honesty, and be in your vision. Assisting is also a wonderful and satisfying way to experience teamwork, collaboration and co-creation, and it's also a lot of fun!

Commitment

All assistants are required to pay a $100 refundable deposit that will be returned in full upon full attendance of completion of the event.

Cancellation Policy - All fees and deposits are non-refundable if you cancel within one month of the event. Exceptions will be considered for illness and emergencies only. Please do not come to the Immersion if you are ill or have any contagious conditions. If, for any reason, you are not able to attend, please notify us as soon as possible, as shifts on the assistant team can greatly impact the success of the event.

AGREEMENTS

• • • Attendance • • •

To be clear, assisting is not a way to come to Solsara at a discount. Although we are all participating in many of the exercises together, the roles are distinctly different. There is a level of responsibility that comes with leadership and we hold this role with the utmost care and consideration in service to the students.

Assistants are required to attend all sessions and be available throughout the entire four days. While you may be able to step aside during breaks to attend to other responsibilities, by committing to assist you are agreeing to bring your full attention to the Immersion. If you have health or mobility considerations, please contact us and we will do our very best to accommodate.

• • • No Substances • • •

We request that you refrain from using alcohol, drugs, or other consciousness-altering substances for the duration of the time that you are participating in the Immersion (with the exception of prescription medications that you routinely take for therapeutic purposes).

• • • No New Romantic or Sexual Relationships • • •

By being a part of the assistant team, you are agreeing not to initiate or pursue any new romantic or sexual relationships with any participants during the Immersion and for a minimum of one month after. If you have any questions or concerns arise, or if you have a connection with someone that you are unclear about, please reach out to the facilitators immediately.

SCHEDULE

Day 1
10:30 am - 6:00 pm* Assistant Day (please bring your lunch)

Assistant Day includes a combination of connecting as a group, doing Solsara practices together, discussing the "role of Assistant", skill building, and preparing the space which will mostly include organizing supplies, decorating, making flower arrangements and preparing snacks.

Day 2
8:00 am - 9:00 am Assistant Meeting
9:00 am - 1:30 pm* Group Session
1:30 - 3:00 pm* Lunch Break (approx.)
3:00 - 4:00 pm* Movement
4:00 - 4:45 pm* Assistant Meeting
4:45 - 9:00 pm* Group Session

Day 3
8:00 am - 9:00 am Assistant Meeting
9:00 am - 1:30 pm* Group Session
1:30 - 3:00 pm* Lunch Break (approx.)
3:00 - 4:30 pm* Movement & Group Activity
4:30 - 5:15 pm* Assistant Meeting
5:15 - 9:30 pm* Group Session

Day 4
8:00 am - 9:00 am Assistant Meeting
9:00 am - 2:00 pm* Group Session
2:00 pm - 4:00 pm* Assistant Clean up and Closing Appreciation Meeting
* ending times are approximate, residential immersion commitments will vary

ASSISTANT OPPORTUNITIES

• Assistant Day: The assistant team arrives to the Immersion one day early, to practice Solsara, receive support during triads, review assistant tasks and expectations, and review basic skills of assisting. We meet from about 10:30 am - 6:00 pm.

• Morning Assistant Meetings begin with a silent meditation. You will be assigned a “buddy” on the assistant team for the weekend who will be someone you check in with each morning and can go to with questions or concerns throughout the weekend. Assistants are asked to arrive in time to be settled and seated by 8am each morning.

• Afternoon Assistant Meetings are dedicated to reviewing any questions that may come up for you, to continue practicing the skills introduced during the first day, and to review guidelines on assisting triads.

• Closing circle: Assistants are asked to stay after completing with the students to disassemble and pack all physical supplies and decorations and clean the venue to the original condition or better. This can take 1-2 hours. Once complete, the assistant team has a closing appreciation circle.

•  Assistant Training Days are day-long or weekend retreats dedicated to developing and refining skills. These are scheduled based on interest and availability.

For each event, the Solsara leadership does their best to curate an assistant team that is well balanced with experience and skill level, recent commitment to service at Solsara, and diverse perspectives. Each team usually includes 2-3 new assistants. You do not need to know how to assist before assisting!

Sometimes, new or returning assistants are invited to be a student again before assisting for various reasons. Occasionally, assisting does not end up being the right fit for either the individual or Solsara. Our hope is to always move toward open and honest relationship to discover what will serve each person, and the students attending that particular event. You will hear back from us regarding your application before 2 months prior the event for which you are applying.

Solsara couldn't happen if it weren't for our lovely team of assistants. We thank you for your interest. Please let us know if you have any questions.