Dhamma Vaddhana Vipassana Meditation Center - Twentynine Palms, California

M. Zahid Hossain

I had the opportunity to attend a 10-Day course at the Southern California Vipassana Center (SCVC) in May 2023. This was my second time participating in such a course, with my first experience being in Mumbai. The facilities were excellent. I enjoyed the scenic beauty of the place, especially in the morning and right before sunset. However, I would recommend checking the temperature and moisture levels according to the season you'll be attending.

Bat sac

ศูนย์วิปัสนา ที่อยู่ใกล้แอลเอ เดินทางประมาณ 2ชั่วโมง อากาศดีมาก สะอาดโปร่ง ดูจะคล้ายทะเลทราย แต่ดี ศูนย์นี้สายอาจารย์โกเอนก้า

Weiyi Zhu

Great place to learn about the truth of our sufferings and the proper techniques to eradicate them at their root. Clear instructions, organized practices. One can see results and changes within 10 days. Highly recommended.

Kenneth Pham

I have completed 10 days course meditation here. Very helpful and life changing after I completed the course. More than 94 members took this retreat with me ! ?

Melissa

I left here under duress, having a medical emergency that went unrecognized (giving the benefit of the doubt here) by staff. They are not equipped to help you if you experience psychological or physical distress. And it appears they don't feel any responsibility to equip themselves, evidenced by of the number of people who I have learned have experienced poor outcomes at these Goenka centers.

Instead of adding medical staff, therapists, or training volunteers to recognize distress they plan to solicit and use donations to expand their center to accommodate even more people.

Another reason for the one star is that when I left under these conditions I forgot a large bag of belongings, and instead of contacting me, they started distributing my things among the various donation bins or the trash, allegedly. Kind of adds insult to injury. They sent me the remainder of my things with several items missing.

I also found a bit of insensitivity from the AT as someone else mentioned.

For an organization who's technique ultimately teaches "metta" it doesn't seem like they care about you. I am glad for the people who have 5 star experiences, and for those who this helps a lot, but that was not the experience I had here. Do a kindness to yourself and perhaps find another center, or another school with a living teacher.

Jonathan Quénard

I served here in August 2023. I thought I wouldn’t go as “deep” as when I sit a course, but I found that practicing continuous awareness while working is a very useful skill for my life outside of the center. Contributing to a harmonious team environment with a group of strangers was really fun. There were some hurdles, but they turned into beautiful lessons. I found it very rewarding and I will surely serve again.
P.S. It was hot! I will check the temperature and humidity levels before coming next time to be better prepared.

Nelly Tan

Just completed a 10 day meditation course. Mentally tough to disconnect from technology, email, internet and work but well worth it. Feels like a reset from the craziness of a busy life, and help ground you to how to better approach life in a healthier and more meaningful way.

Mattias Rattelmeier

10 yrs of psychotherapy in 10 days. Def not for everybody but I'll definitely be returning