Eco Retreat
Indonesia
We are located amidst lush tropical vegetation in the heart of Bali (20 minutes from Ubud). We provide a sanctuary in an idyllic, powerful environment where visitors can experience tranquility and re-connect to the life-giving qualities of the earth. Jiwa Damai is a meeting place for people from all over the world to study, to find and initiate peace, to learn from each other and from the land. Jiwa Damai Agro-Permaculture and Retreat Centre benefits the social educational Foundation, Lagu Damai Bali supporting action projects and study programs for Indonesian and international youths (check our YouTube channels: Jiwa Damai & Lagu Damai Bali). At Jiwa Damai, we offer a basic introduction to permaculture hands-on practicing in our garden and work with different permaculture techniques, sustainability, and how to regenerate the soil, get to know tropical plants and fauna, coconut oil-making production from our own trees. You may wish to experience working side by side with local people and participate in local events or ceremonies and the wealth of tropical vegetation. All of these are embedded in an early yoga or Qigong class (if teachers are available) and before dinner a short heart meditation.
Our volunteers generally support us 6 hours a day, 5 days a week. When you write to us, let us know the dates you would be available with two-month notice. All volunteers, in addition to their main area of support for Jiwa Damai, are invited to share in some maintenance duties during their stay. We offer our volunteers basic clean accommodation and Balinese organic food, mainly vegetarian three meals a day. All volunteer accommodations have access to electricity. We ask for a minimum period of one-month commitment, subject to a review after one week to make sure it is a positive learning experience and a win-win situation.
An additional attraction is to participate in our mountain permaculture garden design and complete an Earthship-Inspired project in North Bali where our social educational Foundation is located. If you are interested in sustainable design, using recycled materials, building bottle walls, learning how to live off-grid, getting a hands-on building/learning experience, please write to us.
Organic methods: Permaculture
Certifications: LeSOS
Current projects: Introduction to permaculture, coconut oil-making production, Earthship-Typed construction project
Internet access available
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Learning opportunities
Vegetable farming
Aromatic or medicinal plants, teas
Vegetable or fruit preservation
Natural cosmetics fabrication
Renewable energy production
Food justice / sovereignty
Methods or systems
Biological pest control
Holistic management
Hydroponics
No-till farming
Permaculture
Regenerative agriculture
Host type
Self-sufficiency property
Certified organic
0.8
Hectares
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2
Acres
Margret
Member since 2017
Languages spoken:
English, French, German, Indonesian
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Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Response rate: 98%
Response time: typically within 2 days
Indonesia
20 minute drive from Ubud and about one hour from the airport in Denpasar. Please check our latest information.
Reviews
Roderick
United States
•
June 2024
What an amazing gift and experience this place offered me. Honestly, what I thought I was getting into was nothing like my experience but with that being said, Jiwa Damai and Margret provided a beautiful gift to me. I was little skeptical about the accomodations since there are plenty of nice rooms on the property but the less "comfortable" ones were designated for the wwoofers or unpaid volunteers. That left a strange feeling to me but they were acceptable and provided everything that was needed. After getting over that, I realize that this experience was very special. Learning a true holistic point of view with the permaculture lessons, the hands on work in the gardens, mixed with the Yoga and Meditations truly gave that holistic perspective and what should be taught more tbh.
Margret was amazing. She is smart, blunt, honest, and a truly gifted human being that shared her knowledge and her heart with myself and the other volunteers while we were there. I honestly plan on staying in contact with her and am lucky to have had the opportunity to meet and be part of the Jiwa Damai existence.
Id recommend this placement to anyone but I would also tell them to be open to EVERYTHING and to not go into this experience with expactations other than to be challenged. Ps. The food was amazing even though there is very little variety and be prepared to have a packed day from 7am-730 pm. But this is all if she decides to except more wwoofers as I know she is in transition w/ Jiwa.
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Asha
United States
•
June 2024
There are many opportunities for growth at Jiwa Damai. Being in this healing space gave me so much more than i expected. Not only do I now feel confident about being able to create my own permaculture system, my eyes have been opened even moreso to the revolutionary magnificence of the earth! The life giving power of the soil, sun, water, you will learn how to deeply connect with the energy of the environment around and within yourself. Your consciousness will expand greatly. My favorite part was the safe spiritual container Margaret created for each guest who was willing to open their heart. It is truly amazing what you can learn about life, yourself, & how it all goes back to the Earth at Jiwa Damai. Margaret taught me how to let go, how to love the most challenging parts of myself honestly, & how to put that energy into creating. If you have the opportunity to come here you are truly fortunate & will be nourished beyond your imagination :).
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Jeanne
Réunion
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April 2024
This place was just amazing ! In the beginning I was afraid that it was too good to be true, but it was true and even more peaceful and gentleness that I could imagine :))
I'm feeling so grateful that I could live this experience in my life, and I would recommend it to everyone..!
Thank you Margret, Miquela, Lana, Nyoman and Made for everything that we live during this month, I will never forget you <3
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Priyanka
United States
•
January 2024
My experience at Jiwa Damai is simply beyond beautiful and meaningful. This place is very special, both spiritually and naturally. The silence, greenness of the forest and trees around, and nature all around make this place one of a kind. This place holds a certain spiritual power within it, and it encourages you to open up to this abundance that it has to offer. For me, it is a very sacred, spiritual place where I get synced with my inner being deeper and deeper. I learned a lot from everybody who stays or works there. Everybody is kind and open to genuine human connectedness. I specifically remember, when I was working in the gardens, I felt this otherworldly connectivity with the plants around me. This place has the power to open our hearts and connect us with everything around us.
Margaret is an amazing soul, who authentically cares for people and their self-growth. She is a pool of both mystical and practical knowledge. We can all learn a lot from her. She is doing an exceptional job of taking care of that land and keeping it intact with the spiritual power this land embodies. Even though I was there at Jiwa Damai for only one month, I know in my heart that I will return to this sacred land that I love very much. If you are planning to volunteer at Jiwa Damai, just come here with an open heart, care for the people, and land there with your heart and you will see what an amazing experience it unfolds for you....lots of love to Margaret :)
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Adam
South Korea
•
December 2023
My partner and I spent an unforgettable month at Jiwa Damai. We had an incredible time and learnt so much about permaculture, yoga, meditation and much more. The retreat is so tranquil and serene, and the staff were very accommodating. We spent a lot of time in the beautiful garden, helping with planting, composting and maintenance. It was so lovely working with Miquela, who is so inspiring and taught us so much. We really enjoyed her yoga sessions in the morning as well!
In the afternoons we had heart meditations. It was our first real time meditating, but Margret was very patient when guiding us through and answered all of our questions after.
During our stay we also got the opportunity to stay at Margret's other house on a mountain in northern Bali. The house and garden is incredible with stunning views of the coast and in the day we worked with a local family in the village. They were all so kind and generous and it was a real highlight of our stay.
The bedroom we stayed in at Jiwa Damai was rustic yet comfortable and close to nature. Taking a dip in the swimming pool was a great way to cool off after a day working in the heat. (So make sure you bring swimwear). The food was traditional Balinese, mostly vegan and delicious!
P.S. If you plan on staying make sure you bring eco-friendly insect repellent. There are plenty of ants and other insects but you soon get use to them.
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Amy
South Africa
•
December 2022
My experience at Jiwa Damai was one to remember. It is so peaceful and healing there. I It has created a sense of lightness within me in this chaotic world we live in.
Margret is an amazing woman, I so enjoyed the time I spent with her, listening to the stories she shared. I have learnt so much from her.
We would usually spend three hours in the morning learning about permaculture and working on different projects for Margret and the Lagu Damai foundation. After lunch, depending on the rain, we would spend 3 hours working in the garden. We did a lot of weeding, we planted seeds, we made compost, made new healthy soul and our favourite project - building the cucumber structure for the cucumber haven we hope to create. We were provided with 3 delicious and healthy meals a day, eating out at restaurants on the weekend could not compare to the tastiness of these meals.
I thoroughly enjoyed teaching yoga to the other volunteers every morning. I have gained a lot of experience and love for teaching. Margret’s daily meditation sessions gave our brains a sense of clarity and helped us raise our vibrations.
This past month, I’ve grown so much as a person in so many difference ways: becoming more connected to myself and nature. I have a clearer understanding of the direction I would like my future to go in, and I have a better sense of what feeds my soul and makes me happy.
Thank you Margret.
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