I am so glad that my good friend and coworker told me about Karen and Holistic Wellness…read moreIntegration. I go to her for massage therapy and she does a phenomenal job every time. She finds the spots in my body that are tight or tense without me even having to tell her. And she's so kind, present, and passionate about what she does. You can tell that she really cares about her clients and she wants to make sure you are comfortable. I can't recommend her highly enough. I also did the 6 week hypnotherapy series with Robert and it was a game changer for me. I was previously experiencing a lot of anxiety, frustration, and stress. It became obvious to me that something needed to change and I've previously tried different method of healing (therapy, journaling, meditation, etc) so why not give hypnotherapy a shot. Robert helped me to learn that relaxation is our natural state and how to help myself calm down if I am feeling overwhelmed. He helped me realize that I can change. Honestly I'm a more present parent and I feel happier and healthier overall.

Let's talk about hypnotherapy/Hypnosis. I have been seeing Robert for a couple months and he has…read moremade a remarkable and almost unbelievable change in life and well-being.. he has many years of experience, more than anyone I have seen in the area. I am amazed at his knowledge and how he can create peace and calmness in any situation. I highly recommend his practice. He can help with Mental illness and any problem or situation you want to overcome!!

This group meditation was so peaceful, relaxing and just a wonderful experience. I will definitely…read morebe coming back again. Thank you so much.

A welcome relief to the stresses of life! Totally restful and restorative. Thank you guys for…read moreputting this on!

MDZG has been wonderful. Zazen with them over zoom each morning at 8 am has helped me start off the…read moreday with a very meaningful meditation practice (just sitting). Grateful to Myosho Baika and everyone at Mount Diablo Zen Group.

Mt. Diablo Zen Group is led by Baika Heaton, Zen Priest and Dharma teacher. This group meets…read moreWednesday evenings for Zazen (meditation), study and discussion. Once a month, one day or half day silent retreats are offered for a nominal fee. These retreats include Zazen, Qi Gong, rest period, a mindful meal, a short service and Dharma talk. All members are encouraged to establish a daily meditation practice, with consideration for their daily life schedule. Celebrating it's tenth year this May, Mt. Diablo Zen Group offers an intimate setting and access to the teachings in the Soto Zen Buddhist Tradition.

This is a very special place and a remarkable community. However it is you find the opportunity to…read moreget here, work it out and do it. I can't really compare this to any other experience I've had. Sidenote, there is outstanding Wi-Fi across the whole property, and my phone's 5G also did well (t-mobile). The grounds and various group rooms, the kitchen and food prep, all of this is personally handled by the diligent and caring staff. The thing they call cabins -- not really the name I would use, I dislike cabins, but this room was terrific. simple, but excellent bedding.

5 Stars - A True Sanctuary in Nature…read more The property is absolutely breathtaking, like stepping into a portal. From the lush, vibrant garden (hands down the most beautiful I've ever seen) to the peaceful meadows filled with wild deer and turkeys roaming freely, every inch of this place radiates natural beauty and serenity. My partner and I came here to unwind, and we left feeling deeply nourished, inspired, and recharged. We had some profound creative breakthroughs during our stay, and were finally able to get the kind of rest our bodies and minds were craving. Our dogs were in absolute heaven too, especially swimming in the river nearby! But what made this place truly unforgettable was the people. The hosts are warm, genuine, and full of heart. You can feel how much love and intention has been poured into this land and community. It felt like we were welcomed into a sacred little sanctuary, and we're already dreaming of our next visit. If you're looking for a healing, grounding, soul-expanding getaway, this is it. Thank you to everyone at The Land for creating such a special space. We'll be back soon.

Unfriendly. People talk to those they know. Went many times. Volunteered. Nobody as in nobody…read moretalked to me. Older congregation. As in mostly 70 and up. Edward is a great speaker. Sadly, Russ is not.

As a kid, I was curious about the idea of church and this was a place my parents took me to to get…read morea similar experience that was more in line with our values. I went back recently after visiting many other types of religious organizations and wanted to offer my thoughts. Disclaimer: Metaphysical New Thought stuff doesn't personally appeal much to me, but that has no bearing on my review. The music was great and the sanctuary space is beautiful! The speaker gave a wonderful talk that I felt like would resonate with people of many backgrounds! It was a little bit sleepy, but maybe that's just because I went during the 9am service. The congregants may not have the same outward enthusiasm as some of the practitioners at many Christian churches, but that was okay, it was a service about peace after all. My main critique comes from the system of classes they have. It was frustrating to me, as someone coming from the UU church for the past year, the way that everyone is encouraged to take classes that can cost up to a few hundred dollars just to be a part of what is essentially a spiritual book club. That gave it almost a pyramid scheme feeling as congregants spend hundreds to become prayer practitioners (people who can pray for you or help you pray) and experts in new thought philosophy or in a combination of other religious ideas, especially from Eastern religions. Most churches have bible studies or other book groups, and fellowship opportunities open to any members, but it seems that here they're either one-on-one meetings with staff members or paid opportunities-- which may only be waived if you have the intention on becoming a staff member. Great little spot, but I'm not sure it would facilitate the same level of comradery and friendship among members as other spiritualist communities.

So... would you like an update? It's worse. I am not knocking all the amazing teachers that come…read morethrough there, or Kornfield etc... just the elitism in the way its run. I mean, they say in their mission statement they're grounded in Buddha's teachings. I'm sorry, I still don't see it in action. I suppose I have to admit that this exclusiveness approach is serving some people in the community, and so I up my stars to two, but my heart knows this is anything but Buddha like. I don't wish to be negative, but I do feel, especially in times like these, that it's important to be honest and authentic. Small "elitisms" (if you will), are part of a larger dynamic. Its time we started looking at little closer at the reasons behind our choices. Thanks for reading. May all beings know peace.

I've just returned home from a 9-day silent meditation retreat at Spirit Rock. It was my first long…read moreretreat, but the teachers made it very comfortable and easy for me. They all have had enough experience (some of them decades) to know just what I was experiencing. The land at SR is breathtakingly beautiful, and the buildings have been designed to blend into the landscape. There are multiple hiking trails that are accessible from the main campus, and all of them take you along beautiful routes. The guest houses ("dormitories") are simple yet have everything you need. Some retreat centers have you bring your own linens and toiletries, but SR supplies you. There is a mini-pharmacy for personal items you forgot and also for remedies, should you need them. The teachers were just wonderful, as were the staff. I must give a special nod to the kitchen staff, who worked hard and delivered one outstanding vegetarian meal after another. I enjoyed every aspect of my retreat. Other reviewers mentioned that they thought SR was too expensive, and while I admit their retreats are a bit pricey, having read the specifics on several other retreat centers around the country, I did feel as if I was getting the "luxury" version of a meditation retreat. In the meditation hall, retreatants will find every possible combination of cushions and chairs so you can be as comfortable as possible during sits and, as I mentioned, you don't need to bring your own linens. You also don't need to bring body wash, shampoo/conditioner, or body lotion. Vegan, cruelty-free products are supplied in the guest houses. All in all, I was just thrilled with my experience at SR and look forward to a return visit in the future.

Not recommended. This center is not what it claims to be, and the teacher is not who he claims to…read morebe. Do not bring your children here, do not come here. I recommend no level of involvement with this organization. The teacher burnishes his reputation with various certificates and enthronements. I have spoken at length with an extremely high, recognized Tulku who explained that he and others of similar standing do not recognize this man as their teacher. The people described as monks and nuns, as far as I know, take no traditional monastic vows. The teacher does not live on the property. He lives in Maui. He follows popular wellness trends (red light therapy, carnivore diet) and presents them as his own teaching. The organization runs some charitable activity which gives a veneer of legitimacy that does not match what I observed from inside. Over more than a decade, in good faith, I gave a significant amount of money to this organization under the impression that I was supporting charitable work. I was only ever contacted for donations, and I gave on a false and misleading premise - believing I was helping those in need, when in fact much was going towards funding this teacher's lifestyle. Not once was I shown empathy or compassion, even to the extent of "how are you doing?" What I did experience repeatedly, from the teacher and from the attendant staff, was coldness, condescension, and open disdain. Sincere questions were met with dismissal. Students going through hard times were ignored or shamed. The relationship from their side was transactional, one-way, and demeaning. Run from this place.

Here's an update almost a decade after my last review…read more This Place never was finished and is still not open to the public. The empty promise of a retreat and healing center just never came to fruition. On the surface it looks cool with domes, pyramids, crystals, etc. Unfortunately it's a moldy facade of a monastery that's become a strange almost eerie place. Lacking vitality and any clear direction the droning music playing with the staff that appears nice with platitudes and word salad nonsense makes this fringe group and reality even more strange. Not a place I would recommend on any level, Buddhist ? NO not really. Christian- NOPE not Truly. NEW AGE Nonsense where you can give away your hard earned $ $ $ $ $ $ Not a welcoming place or group unless you want to be told what to wear & eat & act and that Gays are Evil etc. All and All weird, strange & Fanatical. Took a good long time to realize what was really going on here, AVOID going down this rabbit hole This is not my spiritual cup of Tea, thumbs down

I highly recommend Wild Oaks. I just can't say enough about them. Doreen is a professor in…read morenursing who has extensive training and knowledge with the body. Doreen classes are thoughtfully designed, easy to follow, and welcoming to all experience levels. Screates a calm and supportive environment while encouraging each student to work at their own pace. Her knowledge, patience,and genuine care for her students makes every session both enjoyable and beneficial. I always leave feeling stronger, more balanced. and refreshed. She is an exceptional instructor who truly inspires health and well-being. I've been practicing with Doreen for almost 3 years and I can't begin to tell you how amazing my body feels after each class. Every couple of months they will have a Sound Bath class which I highly recommend. I can't say enough about it. It's extraordinary and you won't experience this class anywhere else. All the teachers are great! And for Men who want to come to classes but are thinking it's just for women simply not the case. Yoga is for everyone ! Treat your body like your temple! Thank you Wild Oaks! RB

I have been taking yoga classes with Dorene Adams for over 10 years…read more I follow Dorene because taking her classes makes me feel good, is that simple! Dorene is a nurse, she loves anatomy, and how our bodies behave and evolve. I know I'm in great hands with her and I do receive great health benefits from her classes. I can see my body improving, and my flexibility and balance getting better every day. Dorene often proposes new ideas and exercises to add to our yoga and Pilates classes to keep them fun and updated but always asks for our feedback and adapts to our suggestions. Dorene is a very sweet and humble person, with a very warm personality and a contagious optimism. Her classes are fun and she makes us laugh often, even when we are working on a difficult pose. Dorene's classes and the Wild Oak Wellness studio are almost addicting to me. I love this studio, all the instructors, and the loving community that we have all created here. I feel at peace and more content just walking in the door!

This type of spiritual journey was suggested & I came across Singing Bowl Healing. This was a first…read moretime for me (& the hubs) and Jesse was kind, accepting & understanding. He spent a few moments before getting started, explaining what he does & what we might feel. We felt welcomed at all points! Experience is personal so I'll leave that for you, but I can say.... I would definitely do this again!! Jesse was fantastic! Thanks Jesse! :)

Morning meditation sound baths are healing for the soul!…read more Being newer in my spiritual journey I've researched different avenues to tap into my inner being. Sound baths are a must try experience to get you started. Jesse offers a peaceful space to relax, unwind and tap in to your inner conscious. If you're ever curious about meditation start here, Jesse is informative and talented in his craft Thank you Singing Bowl Healing!

This is an amazing and peaceful place, yet surprisingly close to San Francisco. The staff are all…read morevolunteers, and they are truly kind, caring, and wonderful people. The 10-day Vipassana course is one of a kind. It can be challenging, both mentally and physically, but it is an experience unlike anything else. You learn so much about yourself, your mind, and how you react to life. The center is beautiful, quiet, and very well organized. I would highly recommend this experience to anyone who is open to meditation and personal growth. It's not easy, but it can be truly rewarding and life-changing.

I came to Northern California Vipassana Center in Kelseyville through a referral from the Sam…read moreHarris website, Waking Up. I was interested in mediation instruction that would be free of religious dogma (hence my seeking a referral from the Harris website) and that was focused on meditation technique. I have found the Center to be exactly that. If a philosophical or religious concept is mentioned, it is quickly followed by the admonition not to accept any concept that is not evidence based, or does not make sense to you. The retreats at the Center have been a huge benefit to my practice (in fact, I hesitate to describe my meditation efforts before my first retreat as "practice". They were more like mind wandering sessions.). The Center is in a beutiful setting in the woods outside of Kelseyville. The accomodations are simple as they should be, but provide all that you need to facilitate mediation (the meals are excellent, btw). The entire staff is exemplerary and are fully dedicated to furthering the practice of attendees. Very worth noting - the business model for the Vipassana Centers is unmatched - all the retreats and courses, meals and lodging included, are free (the centers charges absolutely nothing for any of their services). The centers are supported solely through donations from, and the volunteer work of, people who have attended instruction. Regardless of whether one donates or later volunteers time, all are welcome back to attend retreats as long as they like (there is no means testing. People donate whatever they can afford, or wish to, or they are free not to donate at all. As far as I can tell, the donations are anonymous and not even tracked by the organization). I am not aware of any other organization that can match this demonstration of sincerity and authenticity. Finally, it is recomended that new students attend a 10 day silent retreat. This can seem very daunting for a beginning mediatator. Before my attendance, I was very uncertain that I would make it through 10 days and considered a shorter option. But attending the 10 day was one of the best things I have ever done. The first few days may be a bit difficult, but for me, the longer stay was necessary to get through those early days and to start realizing real results. I am now looking forward to my fourth 10 day retreat and actually find that the time at each retreat passes too quickly.