Latest Newsletter
Spiritual Shortfilms:
Teachings, Inspirations, Motivations
by John David
Kommende Events:
Weekly Zoom Meetings
Click for Information and Registration
Public Live Satsang
Click for Information and Registration
New Book
about Self Realisation
Mantra Music
with the Open Sky Band
Darkness Retreat
In a beautiful 17th-century Villa
An Opportunity for Spiritual Transformation
This isn’t just a “work-trade” program. It’s an invitation to step out of the constant “doing” of modern life and into a state of “being.”
If you feel a pull toward a simpler way of living—one where you can live and work day by day with a loving community of like-hearted people in spiritual community and sit in silence in the evening—you will feel at home here. We are looking for people who are ready to meet life as it is, meet the friction of the ego with awareness, and who want to contribute to something greater than themselves.
You can come anytime as a Karma Yogi and live with our community at Open Sky House.
In exchange for 6 hours of contribution per day, you join our daily rhythm of morning yoga and three meditations, share a room, and enjoy three vegetarian meals with the community.
Bicycles are available, the River Rhein is just outside the door and invites for walks and rides. Our tranquil 17th century courtyard with birds invites for a quiet cup of tea and reading – we have a library of many major spiritual books, instruments and a sunny garden with bees.
There is regular weekends, workshops and retreats in the house which invite you to explore different facets of yourself and discover your Essence.
Also, If you are interested to live in our community, then volunteering is a good first step.
Your benefits:
If you are sincerely seeking for inner freedom, then this is for you.
Transform your Life in a Lasting Way
You are ready for the Next Step in your Life and you have a Longing for deep Inner Transformation and something in the outer world that reflects it?
Experience Spiritual Community
You have a longing to walk your path supported by a loving Group and a Spiritual Teacher guiding you in Meditation and Inner Work?
Connect Deeply with Yourself
You want more connection to the Joy, Peace and Love that dwell within you?
Discover a New Way of Living
The Program
Volunteering at Open Sky House you dive into an energy field that could touch you deeply.
Meditation & Yoga
Dive into Silence
We start the day with Yoga and Meditation in the morning.
Karma Yoga
Step into the Flow
Surrender fully to the work flow of the Community, Open Your Heart!
Meeting with
John David
Tuesday: Online Meeting, Friday: Live Meeting. Ask your innermost questions. Personal Meetings are also possible.
Mantra Chanting
with Live Music
Wednesday we come together to chant Indian Mantras
In the Evenings there is Satsang with John David on Tuesday and Friday and on Wednesday we come together for Mantra singing. On other evenings you are free to watch one of our spiritual films, take walks along the Rhine, use the seminar rooms for Meditation and Yoga or visit our art studio for Painting.
Sometimes we feel it very quietly: the Longing to pause. To let go of who we think we are. And to remember who we Truly are.
Volunteering at the Open Sky House is an Invitation to follow exactly this Inner Call.
Here, you step into a vibrant, consciously lived Spiritual Community, a Protected Space where Transformation is not just a word, but a Daily Practice.
In the Silence of the Morning, in the shared Laughter at Lunch, in the Depth of Satsang, and in the Truth revealed through simple Encounters:
You are Seen. You are Held. And you are challenged to Be Real.
This opportunity offers you more than just New Perspectives. It is a Direct Experience of Connection – with Yourself, with Others, with Life.
Through Conscious Togetherness, Creative Expression, Meditation, Self-enquiry, Heart Work, and Presence, a Space arises where old patterns can surface and begin to transform. You are invited to meet yourself with radical honesty – with everything that Is.
Why Spiritual Community?
On our own, we can Realize a lot. In Meeting others, the very parts of ourselves appear that want to be Seen, Loved – and sometimes confronted.
The Community becomes a Mirror, a Temple, a Medicine.
Drawing from different spiritual traditions, our resident teacher John David highlights the importance of community and mutual support. For this reason, he founded an ashram in Germany and another in Spain which have grown into an international communities for seekers.
John David sees himself in the lineage of Sri Ramana Maharshi, who lived on the holy mountain Arunachala in South India. Ramana taught Self-Enquiry—the question “Who am I?” as the most direct path to Self-realisation.
Papaji (H. W. L. Poonja), the powerful “Lion of Lucknow,” was John David’s direct teacher, in whose presence he experienced awakening. He was known for evoking awakening in seekers and for his simple message: “No teaching, no teacher, no student—just keep quiet.”
Osho was John David’s first teacher. A radical spiritual innovator who inspired a powerful movement for freedom in the 20th century. His teaching emphasised being fully alive in the present moment—embracing life while deepening Love and Wisdom.
I was deeply touched by this week. Immersing myself in the community and feeling the warmth, the connectedness, the Love, the Silence, the Joy of life, and the closeness that is so naturally lived, there was something very profound for me. The place, the work, and the people are like a bridge, a constant reminder to turn Inward. The loving dedication to the inner world is very inspiring and so contagious. If you truly want to see what is going on inside you and come into contact with your true Being, this is the perfect place. I couldn’t leave this wonderful place and moved in right away.
The time with you is still resonating with me. It really was “magical” with all of you! Everything inside me is still spinning! The new experiences have changed so much. I thank you again from the bottom of my Heart for creating this Space!
Already 30 meters before arriving at Open Sky House, I felt a calm and grounded atmosphere in my body. The program filled me up and changed my thinking day by day – about life, Being, and myself. What remains are many questions and, in a way, a speechlessness. I feel deeply grateful that Life has been kind to me and led me to such a wonderful place with amazing Beings. Thank you for every single conversation with John David, residents, and helpers – it was beautiful.
Joy, Fun in Creating, sincere people. Thank you for the Meditative Presence and for being allowed to work. Masks are worn outside – here, all Masks may be taken off.
All my words cannot express what I Experienced with You – and it continues... In deep Connectedness.
The week felt like at least a whole month, and an incredible amount has happened within me. Externally, there was a lot of newness and input – internally, it became quieter and quieter, deeper and deeper… and it’s still going on. I feel infinitely Spacious and grateful to have found the Open Sky House community and John David.
It felt good to immerse myself in a different Life, to recharge with new impulses and Energy from the Silence, and to be a useful part of a spiritual Community. My highlights included not only the daily Yoga sessions and silent Meditations, but also the shared Mantra singing, the Exchange with community members during daily work, and the loving Togetherness.
Dates: Anytime
Price: €90 per week for food
Shared accommodation is free. Single Rooms are available on request for an additional fee.
Radha
Tel: +49 174 4646799
The beautiful Open Sky House is located right on the banks of the Rhine in Hitdorf
Open Sky House
Rheinstr. 54, 51371 Hitdorf
Between Cologne and Düsseldorf
Germany
Because we receive many applications, we ask everyone to complete a more detailed application form.
If you resonate with what we offer, we warmly invite you to apply. If your application feels like a good fit, we will get in touch with you.
Open Sky House is not a casual holiday volunteer placement. It is a conscious community environment with a spiritual focus, service-oriented living, meditation, and inner work. We ask people to apply only if they genuinely feel drawn to this kind of life.
We’re looking forward to seeing you!
