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    Recommended Reviews - Dhamma Vaddhana

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    The new venue of the Vipassana Center of Southern California.
    Melody V.

    Very much like Darshan R., I had my doubts. It was not until the actual day that I entered my car and began to drive that I knew that this was something I wanted to do. 10 days of silent meditation. I have NEVER meditated in my entire 31 years. And so, my journey through the back desert highways lead me to an isolated area in Twentynine Palms. From reading Darshan's review, I simply thought I would be living in the most modest conditions, but with donations and such a new Vipassana venue was built. Vipassana itself is a meditation technique. One that I can not describe through a Yelp review. I can tell you that it was 10 days of total dedication to myself and such technique is practiced worldwide. For more information on the technique, read and review its website. I will, though, review the center itself. It is located in Twentynine Palms off the 10 freeway. It is a traveler's drive from Los Angeles, San Diego, and Las Vegas. You may find yourself driving through the high desert cities of Victorville. If so, be sure you have a full tank of gas because you will drive through miles and miles of isolation on a well-paved highway. It is a beautiful drive nonetheless. The sleeping accommodations are simple and meant for sharing. Rooms that are shared are either divided by a curtain or a single room with two beds. Single non-shared rooms with its own restrooms are available. You do not have a choice of rooms as it is assigned at registration. You will be assigned a manager you can speak with if the accommodation is that inconvenient. Frankly, if you choose to do Vipassana you should arrive with an open-mind and willing to accept the conditions. Each room has a heater and the shared bathrooms have stalls, shower curtains, and storage space for your showering materials. But do not think this is a hotel. You are responsible and expected to be respectful of the living quarters as well as clean up after yourself. Under the practice of Vipassana, vegetarian meals are served, and for the record, you will not go hungry. I am quite the omnivore, but I think I turned over a new leaf in vegetarianism after the meals I had during my course. Ok, well, I at least eat more vegetables since my last day. The food is rather good. I discovered the deliciousness of sunflower salad dressing, beets, tofu, and rice milk. The meditation hall is large. We each are given our own meditation cushion and pillow and other cushions and seats are available for you if you find yourself needing them. A few meditators, specifically old students (that's what you are AFTER completing the 10-day course) bring their own cushions. Overall the hospitality of the center was excellent. The center is clean due to teamwork, respect, and volunteers. The road to get here may be a challenge, but very much worth it. I mean this literally and figuratively.

    Check the daytime sky for clouds & evening sky for stars! SPECTACULAR! And the ground for wildlife! COOL!
    Barbarella F.

    I had an incredibly deep and satisfying experience! The facilities, grounds, food, staff, everything was just great. So incredibly organized and well run. So wonderful to see people work together so peacefully! It can be done.... yes! Not going to address any specifics since other reviewers have done that so well already. I'll comment on a few things that helped me navigate the course. It ended up being a very meaningful "rite of passage" perhaps. Living many years now and being an old student -- not in their terms of a returning student. Just "old", in years on the planet! Have been on my own Path for much of that time and this teaching and the environment really helped me pull many things together. A HUGE deal for me was the Noble Silence. I had absolutely no problem not talking or hearing others yakking. In fact, I welcomed it! Not using digital devices for 10 days? No problema -- The REAL eye-opener was how loud my own "monkey mind chatter" was. Pretty much non-stop until I spoke to the teacher about it. Then it calmed down and at least shifted to Vipassana-related! Had some moments of wanting to quit, feeling restless, upset if I'm doing the meditations right. Blaah, blaah, blaah goes the monkey mind. It was too late anyway. I'M ALL IN! -- EARPLUGS -- Ended up having a great experience in "EAR CONSCIOUSNESS" and reduced my dependence! Was using earplugs until I missed hearing my name called by the teacher. I apologized and was told earplugs could be used in your residence, but NOT in the med hall. Ugh! Not happy! My first med after that was lousy as I couldn't concentrate with all the coughing & sneezing going on. She said we have to get used to meditating without earplugs, otherwise we'll not do well back in the world of barking dogs & noisy trash trucks. True dat -- From then on, I was able to meditate "normally" and let the outer sounds roll on by. Even developed compassion for the ones in obvious discomfort (and the ones sitting close to them). Back at home, the yappy little neighbor mutts can do whatever they please. None of my beezwax yo! -- CUSHIONS -- Definitely bring pillows & cushions for the bedroom if desired, as only one thin sleeping pillow is provided. There are plenty available for the med hall, but those stay put. I used a chair to sit the long meditation hours, but was pleased it got somewhat easier as time went on and I became more relaxed. Even challenged myself to sit on the floor a couple of times and did it! -- SHOES -- Many people walked everywhere in sandals, flip flops etc. I was more comfortable walking longer distances such as on the walking path in covered shoes, pull-on sneakers. Gravel does get into the footwear so it's definitely a personal preference. -- STAFF -- Someone commented the staff seem to be in a "haze". I believe it would be more accurate to say "In Service" or practicing "All Day Meditation". They are friendly & efficient about their work but not engaging in idle chit-chat, like we "incoming" expect. I happened to see our teacher in passing as people were leaving. She did not engage past a polite greeting which is perfect. It's just NOT appropriate to get involved with personal issues or whatever else may come up in everyday conversation. I drove home in a bit of a "haze" myself. Heightened state of awareness is more like it. What a great feeling to feel more clear in my thinking than probably ever experiencing before. Receiving mental clarity is a great gift one cannot under-estimate or under-appreciate. But one must be truly ready for the discipline of this spiritual "boot camp". There are absolutely no distractions or diversions away from facing your own sweet self and the discipline of living like a virtual nun or monk for 10 days. 5 days out, I still haven't turned on my TV, listened to the radio or scrolled through my Google news feed. It's just not that important. What is important, is seriously tuning into yourself and seeing what's "in there"! And it's ALL GOOD! :-)

    KAY KAY L.

    Free Vipassana Meditation as taught by S.N. Goenka Assistant Teachers in the tradition of Sayagyi U Ba Khin *Location worldwide: http://www.dhamma.org/ *****3 locations in California: *Twentynine Palms: http://www.dhamma.org/en-US/schedules/schvaddhana *North Fork: http://www.dhamma.org/en-US/schedules/schmahavana *Kelseyville :http://www.manda.dhamma.org/default.html

    Monica H.

    I've only been here for a one hour old-student group sit but in that one hour group sit I felt at home and at peace. The setting for a ten day sit looked welcoming and serene. I can see myself sitting here for ten days in the future.

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    Ask the Community - Dhamma Vaddhana

    Is there a laundry room? Not sure how much to pack for the ten day retreat.

    There is no laundry room. There is a "bucket" where you can rinse out small items. It is highly suggested you bring enough clothing for the 10-day retreat (just like if you went on a vacation for 10 days).… Read more

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    Review Highlights - Dhamma Vaddhana

    Under the practice of Vipassana, vegetarian meals are served, and for the record, you will not go hungry.

    Mentioned in 12 reviews

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    The Center For Energy Medicine

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    My first time doing acupuncture! Dr. Dharam Singh is amazing! Wish I would have listened to my…read morefriend Iacopo sooner when he recommended him! New to Joshua Tree! His main practice is in Los Angeles. So happy to have his healing touch in Joshua Tree. Always been scared to try acupuncture! Using it for insomnia, ptsd, anxiety from loss. First session was life changing. He is gentle & gives great tools to help you grow & cope with life's struggles. Good luck with your new practice in Joshua Tree! Welcome! We're lucky to have you! Dr. Singh's energy is calming & reassuring. Feeling optimistic that his practice is going to help my overall health & well being. Love that he is able to consult on diet as well!! So important!

    My husband and I have been attending Tai Chi and Medical Qi Gong class with Dr. Dharam Singh for…read moreover a month now and we are loving it. Wednesdays at 1:30 we gather at Pan Pacific Park to get our Qi on. So far we have gone over Yang Style 24 Form, and we also started learning some Ba Gua, as well as doing a lot of qi building foundational exercises. He gives us homework too so we have things to work on at home to keep building the qi. It's so nice to take advantage of living in LA by actually getting outside in the nice weather once a week, I highly recommend it. We also have videos that we can watch at home to help with the practice, which is good because I don't have the best memory. If you become a student, Dr. Singh may let you see his very impressive Tai Chi video in which he performs difficult feats with the strength of his qi. They are of the "Do not try this at home" variety, and definitely make you realize the power of internal cultivation. I am an acupuncturist also, and as a healer I appreciate the opportunity to delve further in to the energetics of Chinese Medicine with an expert guide.

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    Kyle Martin's  Joshua Tree Sound Baths - Group of 4

    Kyle Martin's Joshua Tree Sound Baths

    5.0(3 reviews)
    19.8 mi

    My boyfriend and I came to see Kyle for a sound bath during a deeply significant time, a big grief…read moreanniversary. It was an absolute gift to meet Kyle and be in his angelic presence. He held my grief with so much tenderness and gentleness. He welcomed us with open arms into his beautiful home and meditation space. He took intentional time to get to know us as people, invite us to set intentions, and truly connect with one another before the sound bath itself. It was all such a touching and sincere experience where we learned so much. The sound bath itself was absolutely incredible, deep, luscious, and profound in its sonic journey. We felt like we were taken away to a beautifully meditative space, beyond otherworldly. After the sound bath Kyle sat with us to process the experience and guide us through breathwork. He really went above and beyond and spent so much time with us, just from the love and pureness of his heart. He even pulled a tarot card for us at the end, and took the time to email us its meaning and why he pulled it for us in the first place. Thank you Kyle, for giving us such a beautiful sound bath experience. We can't wait to work with you again! Kyle is truly one of a kind - we are blessed to have met him and spent sacred time in his presence :)

    A unique and wonderful experience for those seeking inner peace and wellness.‍ This sound bath will…read moretransport you to a beautiful and restful place and you will come out rested and ready to take on the universe.

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    Kyle Martin's  Joshua Tree Sound Baths - Inside the Teepee

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    Inside the Teepee

    Dhamma Vaddhana - meditationcenters - Updated June 2026

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