Seva Foundation
The School of Environmental and Vocational Arts
A Community of Beauty and Peace
SEVA, the School of Environmental and Vocational Arts
Welcome to SEVA Foundation
Promoting Education on Health, Fitness, and the Environment
SEVA promotes education in health, stress reduction, art, and earth-friendly ways of living in balance with our environment. We cherish the study of ecology - both of the surrounding environment and the inner ecology of the mind. We strive to live and help all live in the full consciousness of ecological living in both the exterior and interior environments. This is known as the ecology of the mind. SEVA welcomes you to attend our classes, workshops and retreats, and to reconnect with nature on our beautiful and peaceful oasis in the Catskill Mountains in upstate New York.
For over 40 years our ever-changing array of classes, workshops and retreats, which run from May through November, have included our earth integrated greenhouse, cultivating sustainable and organic gardens, being good stewards of the land, wild plant preparations for first aid and aromatherapy, and healthy living through holistic practices such as Jin Shin Jyutsu, and meditation. We share ancient wisdom and cutting-edge knowledge - respecting and integrating the old and the new.
In the spirit of the acronym, SEVA, a Sanskrit word which means selfless service, and sums up the life of our Founder, Hilda Charlton, and all she inspired. We offer classes and workshops benefitting both the local community as well as the extended national and international communities for three seasons every year.
Our Mission
SEVA is an educational foundation inspired by the teachings of Hilda Charlton, which support a community dedicated to the art of living. Its vision is to promote the understanding and practice of harmonious, healthy, and sustainable living through service, instruction, and demonstration. We choose to celebrate the diversity of life and belief and to foster an ecological worldview in which humans can thrive in love and in peace together.
Our Vision
Embracing Growth and Learning
SEVA envisions a community where we live in harmony and balance in ourself, our families, workplaces, communities, and our shared inner and outer environment in the service of the greater good for all.
We choose to celebrate the unity in diversity of life and belief and to foster an ecological world view in which humans can thrive in love.
We are non-discriminating in our practices, welcoming all regardless of race, color, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, national origin, age, or disabilities. SEVA is a drug-free, alcohol-free, non-smoking campus.
Our Founder
Hilda Charlton was the creative force behind the school, which was organized to demonstrate and teach living harmoniously with the earth and each other.
Hilda Charlton (April 8, 1906 – January 29, 1988) was a spiritual teacher, author, dancer, and healer who taught classes in meditation in New York City for twenty-three years in which she gave practical lessons to thousands of people who came to her lectures through the years, for living a life of truth, courage and love. She taught a weekly class on the Art of Living from 1976 to 1988, where she was invited to teach at the Cathedral of Saint John the Divine in New York City. Previous to this, Hilda taught these same classes at St. Luke’s Church on Hudson Street in Greenwich Village.
In 1980, a group inspired by her teachings purchased property to build a school where people could learn skills for living in harmony with the environment and each other. This would become the Seva Foundation.
Hilda Charlton was an extraordinary teacher who inspired all who came into her presence to become their best selves. Hilda taught that the vital goal for living on this Earth is to be in harmony with oneself, with others, and with the environment. At SEVA, we endeavor to understand and put into action Hilda’s very humorous, very heavenly, and very practical lessons of life.
Support Our Cause
Seva Foundation is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit. Tax deductible donations are gratefully accepted and deeply appreciated in furtherance of our mission.
Donations will be used for the ongoing necessary development and maintenance of Seva.
Mail checks to:
SEVA Foundation
365 Seva Land
South Kortright, NY 13842
607 538-1130
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