Overview

 

 

Camp Indralaya was founded in 1927 by members of the Theosophical Society as a practical experiment in applying theosophical principles to daily life. These principles continue to form the basis of our philosophy, community life, and programs. (See our mission statement.)

The road into camp

Since its founding, a strong sense of community has been at the heart of Camp Indralaya. Throughout the course of its 75-plus year history, many have volunteered time and assistance to the camp. (See more camp history in Celebrating 75 Years.)

As participants in an ongoing experiment in theosophical living, campers not only take part in programs and discussions, they also share meals, after-meal chores, and other endeavors.

The name Indralaya is derived from Sanskrit and means "a home for the spiritual forces in nature". In this unique environment, individuals and families are encouraged to live in cooperative harmony with nature and each other, experiencing the interconnectedness of all forms of life while exploring individual pathways to wholeness.

One of the private covesLocated on Orcas Island in the San Juan Islands of Washington State, Camp Indralaya is a sanctuary of natural beauty and peace.

The camp encompasses seventy-eight acres of forest, meadows, and trails, situated along three quarters of a mile of coastal shoreline.

We share this space with rabbits, deer, owls, mink, squirrels, sea otter, bald eagles, and other wildlife.


The camp offers a wide variety of programs. There is also daily meditation, trail walks, a small bookshop, and a surprisingly well-stocked metaphysical library.

From June through August the facilities are used almost continuously for programs. Weekend programs and "work parties" are held during the spring and fall months

 

The lodge and meadow

The camp has a maximum occupancy of ninety-five people. Visitors are accommodated in simple rustic sleeping cabins warmed with wood burning stoves. Most cabins share a nearby bathhouse, while a few have self-contained plumbing.

Delicious vegetarian meals are served in a communal dining hall. All participants are asked to join in the after-meal cleanup as a means of encouraging community and reducing cost.

Southeast view from the shoreline

As an independent nonprofit organization, Indralaya charges minimal fees, sustaining its operations with the donated labor and financial support of its many volunteers.

Whether you seek serenity or kinship, tranquil quiet, or the challenge of personal inner exploration, we invite you to experience Indralaya's nurturing environment.

As a theosophical camp, Indralaya welcomes the full participation of people of all races and religions. Membership in the Theosophical Society is not a requirement for participation in the camp and its activities.

The Theosophical Society is a worldwide organization founded in 1875 and dedicated to better understanding our place in the universe as well as the purpose and meaning of our lives.

All who attend programs or work parties at Indralaya are encouraged to act in harmony with the principles of theosophical life that guide our activities here. A central premise of theosophy (which can be defined as the perennial wisdom) is that we are all one. Reverence for life, compassion for all, sympathy with the need of individuals to find truth for themselves, and respect for every religious tradition are prominent theosophical principles. The Theosophical Society imposes no dogmas, but points toward the source of unity beyond all differences.

 
 

 

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