Living in the Buddhafield
A community living programme at Leela
Come and experience everyday life at Leela
Living in the Buddhafield (LIB) is Leela's community living programme, offering the opportunity to stay at the centre for a week or more and experience everyday life here.
Share meals, join morning gatherings, take part in meditation and movement, contribute to the running of the community, and make space for your own work, rest and creative projects.
Note
The Living in the Buddhafield programme pauses during our summer festival season. and also does not run during festival events throughout the year.
During these times the centre is fully focused on hosting festivals and retreats.
Stay for a while. Become part of everyday life at Leela.
LIB gives you the opportunity to spend an extended period at Leela, becoming part of the community while keeping space for your own life.
Life here has a shared rhythm, created through communal meals, gatherings, meditation, movement and practical contribution. Alongside this, there is time to work, rest, explore the land, meet people, pursue creative projects or simply enjoy being here.
Leela is home to a resident community as well as people who come for retreats, festivals, trainings and other programmes. A lot happens behind the scenes every day to care for the house, gardens, land and shared spaces.
As a LIB guest, you become part of this working culture. Your daily contribution is a small but meaningful part of keeping community life flowing.
Most people stay for a week or more, giving themselves time to settle in, get to know the community and find their own rhythm within it.
What we mean by “Buddhafield”
At Leela, we use the word Buddhafield to describe the atmosphere created when people come together with presence, awareness and intention.
It lives in the way we meet one another, care for the land, share everyday life and create space for connection, reflection and growth.
LIB is one way to experience this culture from within the everyday life of the centre.
Thinking about joining us?
Here’s everything you need to know about community life, what you’ll contribute, what’s included and how LIB works.
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A shared rhythm, with room for your own
There are regular points of connection throughout the day, while the rest of your time is yours to shape.
A typical day might include:
Morning practice
Start the day with active meditation or another body-based practice.
Shared meals
Breakfast, lunch and dinner provide regular opportunities to eat together and connect.
Morning gathering
Come together for music, movement and connection.
Community contribution
Take part in around 45 minutes of practical community work, helping with things such as kitchen preparation, house care, gardening, grounds maintenance, preparing spaces or other tasks the community needs.
Your own time
Work remotely, create, read, rest, walk, explore the land or simply enjoy having some space for yourself.
Evening practice & activities
Depending on what is happening at Leela, evenings may include meditation, sharing, movement, music, sauna, creative activities or time to yourself.
There is structure to community life, with plenty of space around it for your own needs and interests.
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Make space for your own life
Your time at Leela can look different depending on what brings you here.
Work remotely
Many LIB guests continue with their work or business during their stay. WiFi is available, along with shared spaces where people can work. If you need a private or consistently quiet space for calls or focused work, we recommend booking a private room.
Work on a creative project
Use the change of environment to write, make, study or develop something of your own.
Spend time outdoors
Explore the 17 acres, walk, sit in the gardens or simply spend time on the land.
Join practices and activities
Take part in meditation, movement, creative workshops, music nights, sauna and other offerings when they are available.
Meet people
LIB brings together people who are curious about community living, connection and a different pace of life.
You don’t need to fill your stay with activities. Having space to simply be here is part of the experience.
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Community works through participation
Living in the Buddhafield is a shared experience, and everyone who joins LIB contributes to the practical life of the community.
LIB guests contribute around 45 minutes each day to tasks that help care for Leela and keep everyday life flowing. This might include kitchen preparation, house care, gardening, grounds maintenance, preparing spaces or other practical tasks depending on what the community needs at the time.
This daily contribution is a required part of the LIB programme. It is also one of the ways you become part of the community, getting to know the people you live alongside and contributing to the place you are sharing.
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Could this be your kind of place?
LIB may be a good fit if you:
Want to experience community living and participate in the everyday life of a working community
Are looking for a change of pace or environment
Work remotely and want somewhere more connected to nature
Have a creative project you’d like space to focus on
Enjoy meditation, movement, music or embodied practices
Are curious about living alongside people with different backgrounds and perspectives
Want connection while still having personal space
Are between chapters and looking for somewhere to land for a while
You don’t need previous experience with Leela or community living. What matters most is a willingness to participate respectfully in shared community life, contribute to the practical running of the centre and be part of the rhythm of the community.
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Everything you need to settle in
Your LIB programme includes:
Shared vegetarian meals
Two daily meditations
Morning gatherings and evening activities
Weekly creative and social offerings
Access to 17 acres of land to walk and explore
Access to the sauna and plunge pool, generally once a week, subject to availability
WiFi and shared spaces for working
Accommodation is booked separately and priced according to your chosen accommodation option and availability.
Wellness Centre treatments, workshops and some other activities are available at an additional cost.
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Item descriptionJoin us on a LIB start date
LIB runs around Leela’s programme of retreats, festivals and other events. The programme pauses during festival and retreat periods, when the centre is focused on hosting guests and running events.
To help new LIB members settle into community life and create a stronger sense of connection, arrivals take place on structured LIB start dates rather than on a rolling basis.
Current LIB start dates:
[Insert confirmed dates / availability]
You can choose the start date that works for you and discuss the length of your stay when you apply. Longer stays may be possible depending on availability and the needs of the community.
Please check your chosen dates with the team before making travel arrangements.
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The LIB Program is available between festivals and retreats. Short and longer stays are welcome depending on availability.
There is a weekly community programme fee of £190 (6 nights) , with accommodation priced separately based on your choice.
Staying longer? An extra 7th night can be added to extend your week.
If you are unsure which accommodation option suits you best, the team is happy to guide you. Check here for accommodation and prices.
To apply, please fill in the application form below by clicking the button below.
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Before you apply
How long can I stay?
LIB stays begin with a structured arrival date and are usually for a week or more. LIB weeks start on a Monday and end on Sunday morning.
Longer stays may be possible depending on availability and the needs of the community.
When can I arrive?
LIB has specific start dates rather than open-ended rolling arrivals. This helps new members settle into community life and gives the existing community a clear rhythm.
Please check availability with the team before making travel arrangements.
Do I have to contribute to the community?
Yes. A daily contribution of around 45 minutes is a required part of the LIB programme.
Tasks may include kitchen preparation, house care, gardening, grounds maintenance, preparing spaces or other practical work that supports the running of Leela.
Do I have to join all the activities?
There are regular community gatherings, meditation, movement and other activities that form part of life at Leela. Participation is encouraged, while there is also plenty of personal time to work, rest and pursue your own interests.
Can I work remotely?
Yes. Many LIB guests continue with remote work or their own business during their stay. WiFi is available and there are shared spaces where people work.
If you need a private or consistently quiet space for calls or focused work, we recommend booking a private room.
Will I have access to all the spaces at Leela?
Leela is an active centre hosting retreats, festivals, trainings and other events. At times, some spaces will be in use for programmes or community activities, and arrangements for meals or gatherings may change.
LIB guests are asked to be flexible and work with the needs of the wider community. The team will communicate any changes as they arise.
Do I need previous experience with meditation or community living?
No. You don’t need previous experience with Leela, meditation or community living.
What matters most is a willingness to participate respectfully, contribute to the practical life of the community and engage with the shared rhythm of life at Leela.
Is LIB suitable if I mainly want somewhere to stay while I work or travel?
LIB is a community living programme, rather than a holiday accommodation option. Everyone who joins contributes to the practical running of Leela and participates in shared community life.
There is plenty of space for your own work, rest and interests, while being part of the wider community is an important part of the experience.
Can I bring my own campervan?
Yes, subject to availability. Campervan stays are free, with electric hook-up available at £5 per day.
Can I bring a partner or friend?
Yes. Friends and partners are welcome to apply, but each person needs to complete their own application and pay the weekly LIB fee. You can share a room and the cost of the accommodation.
Can I stay during a festival or retreat?
LIB pauses during festival and retreat periods, when Leela is focused on hosting the programme.
What happens after I apply?
Once you’ve submitted your application, we’ll contact you by email and arrange a phone call to talk through your stay and answer any questions you have.
Still have a question?If there’s anything you’d like to know that we haven’t covered here, please contact the Leela Booking Office:
[email protected]
+44 (0)1747 821221
Come and live at Leela for a while
Perhaps you’re looking for a change of pace, a place to focus on your work or creative projects, or simply curious to experience community life for yourself.
Whatever brings you here, LIB offers the opportunity to spend some time at Leela, contribute to the life of the community, connect with the people around you and find your own rhythm within everyday life here.
Stay for a while. Become part of the community.
“It’s wonderful to relax and go with the flow while helping out in the community. It feels like home here, like I’m among family. It’s special to receive and share that love.”
Sandeep, LIB Programme
Food at Leela
All food is vegetarian, drawing inspiration from cuisines from around the world. Garden produce is used when available including green salads and culinary herbs.
There is a separate tea making area with a wide range of beverages which include herbal teas, coffee, decaf, green and black teas, hot chocolate, plus cow’s milk and alternative milks.
We cater for the following diets …
Dairy-free / Egg-free
Gluten Free
Sugar conscious
Vegan and vegetarian
Food is prepared in a shared kitchen where allergens are present. See our food information page for details.