in the tradition of Sayagyi U Ba Khin
Course Schedule
Center Location: Website | Map
** Unless noted otherwise, course instructions are given in the following language(s): English
The Center is located just North of Joshua Tree National Park in Twentynine Palms, CA. It is a 2-1/2 hr. drive from the Los Angeles and San Diego metropolitan areas. It is possible to reach the Center using public transportation with careful planning in advance, but requires multiple buses that run on a limited schedule and a full day of travel. The ride share board is the recommended option.
- Access the application form by clicking Apply for the desired course. Old students will be given the option to serve.
- Please carefully read the Introduction to the Technique and Code of Discipline which you will be asked to follow during your course.
- Fully and completely fill out all the sections of application form and submit it. An application is required to register for all courses.
- Await notification. All correspondence will be through e-mail if you give an e-mail address in your application. Due to the large volume of applications, it may take up to two weeks before receiving notification.
- If your application is accepted then we require you to confirm you will be attending in order to secure your place in the course.
| Southern California Vipassana Center P.O. Box 486 Joshua Tree, CA 92252 USA Email: [email protected] Phone: [1](760) 362-4615 | Children / Teenager's Course Registration Phone: [1](760) 362-4615 Email: [email protected] http://www.vaddhana.dhamma.org/children-teens/children-main.html |
Registration opens for all courses at 7:00am Pacific Time.
Students may apply to sit only one 10-Day course at a time, even if the other course is in another state or Canada, or is a waitlisted enrollment.
Applications submitted via cell phone may not go through. A follow-up email is recommended.
Please check your junk/spam email folders to avoid missing important communications from the center.
All Covid-19 entry requirements have been lifted.
- Masking is optional, however we recommend that those who are immuno-compromised and seniors to wear one, as Covid is still circulating among the population.
- During the course, if someone displays symptoms that are concerning we may ask them to leave for the benefit of all attendees.
- Please notify us if you feel sick and cannot attend, so that your place may be given to another student.
- Please wear a mask when traveling via public transport or in public places prior to coming to the course.
See Comments for any special instructions for events in this section.
| Attend / Serve | Dates | Course Type | Status | Location | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apply | Dec 08 |
Teen Course ages 12-17 |
Open | Thousand Oaks |
Boys & Girls ages 12-17 |
See Comments for any special instructions for events in this section.
| Attend / Serve | Dates | Course Type | Status | Location | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apply | Nov 03 - Nov 06 | Service Period | In Progress | Twentynine Palms |
For old students To help prepare the Center for the next course |
| Apply | Nov 06 - Nov 17 | 10-Day | Women - Closed Men - Wait List Servers - Wait List | Twentynine Palms | |
| Apply | Nov 17 - Nov 20 | Service Period | Servers - Open | Twentynine Palms |
For old students To help prepare the Center for the next course |
| Apply | Nov 20 - Dec 01 |
10-Day
English / Persian (Farsi) |
Women - Closed New Men - Wait List Old Men - Short Wait List Servers - Wait List | Twentynine Palms |
Priority is given to Farsi-speaking students. All other students will be waitlisted. |
| Apply | Dec 01 - Dec 04 | Service Period | Servers - Open | Twentynine Palms |
For old students To help prepare the Center for the next course |
| Apply | Dec 04 - Dec 15 | 10-Day | Women - Closed Men - Wait List Female Server - Wait List Male Server - Open | Twentynine Palms | |
| Apply | Dec 15 - Dec 18 | Service Period | Female Server - Wait List Male Server - Open | Twentynine Palms |
For old students To help prepare the Center for the next course |
| Apply | Dec 18 - Dec 22 | 3-Day | Women - Closed New Men - Closed Old Men - Wait List Servers - Wait List | Twentynine Palms |
For old students |
| Apply | Dec 22 - Dec 25 | Service Period | Female Server - Wait List Male Server - Open | Twentynine Palms |
For old students To help prepare the Center for the next course |
| Apply | December 25, 2024 - January 05, 2025 | 10-Day | Women - Closed Men - Closed Female Server - Closed Male Server - Wait List | Twentynine Palms |
An alternative course is offered at a rental site near Occidental Ca. from 12/23/2024 to 1/3/2025. Please read this before applying: https://santosa.dhamma.org/new_beta/occidental/ To apply, use this link |
| Attend / Serve | Dates | Course Type | Status | Location | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apply | Jan 05 - Jan 08 | Service Period | Servers - Open | Twentynine Palms |
For old students To help prepare the Center for the next course |
| Apply | Jan 08 - Jan 19 | 10-Day | Women - Closed Men - Wait List Servers - Wait List | Twentynine Palms | |
| Apply | Jan 19 - Jan 22 | Service Period | Servers - Open | Twentynine Palms |
For old students To help prepare the Center for the next course |
| Apply | Jan 22 - Feb 02 | 10-Day | Women - Wait List Men - Open Servers - Open | Twentynine Palms | |
| Apply | Feb 02 - Feb 05 | Service Period | Servers - Open | Twentynine Palms |
For old students To help prepare the Center for the next course |
| Feb 05 - Feb 16 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Nov 05 | Twentynine Palms | ||
| Feb 16 - Feb 19 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting Nov 16 | Twentynine Palms |
For old students To help prepare the Center for the next course |
|
| Feb 19 - Mar 02 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Nov 19 | Twentynine Palms | ||
| Mar 02 - Mar 05 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting Dec 02 | Twentynine Palms |
For old students To help prepare the Center for the next course |
|
| Mar 05 - Mar 16 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Dec 05 | Twentynine Palms | ||
| Mar 16 - Mar 19 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting Dec 16 | Twentynine Palms |
For old students To help prepare the Center for the next course |
|
| Mar 19 - Mar 30 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Dec 19 | Twentynine Palms | ||
| Mar 31 - Apr 06 |
This Service Period starts on Monday |
Applications accepted starting Dec 31 | Twentynine Palms |
For old students This service period coincides with the Annual Trust Reconstitution Weekend Retreat from 4/4 to 4/6. |
|
| Apr 04 - Apr 06 |
Annual Trustees Meeting For Old Students Only |
Applications accepted starting Mar 04 | Twentynine Palms |
For old students |
|
| Apr 07 - Apr 11 |
This Service Period starts on Monday |
Applications accepted starting Jan 07 | Twentynine Palms |
For old students |
|
| Apr 11 - Apr 20 | Satipatthana Sutta | Applications accepted starting Jan 11 | Twentynine Palms |
For old students |
|
| Apr 20 - Apr 23 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting Jan 20 | Twentynine Palms |
For old students To help prepare the Center for the next course |
|
| Apr 23 - May 04 |
10-Day
English / Vietnamese |
Applications accepted starting Jan 23 | Twentynine Palms |
Priority is given to Vietnamese-speaking students. All other students will be waitlisted |
|
| May 04 - May 07 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting Feb 04 | Twentynine Palms |
For old students To help prepare the Center for the next course |
|
| May 07 - May 18 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Feb 07 | Twentynine Palms | ||
| May 19 - May 28 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting Feb 19 | Twentynine Palms |
For old students Part time Service is Welcome! To help on variety of tasks, and prepare the Center for the next course. |
|
| May 28 - Jun 08 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Feb 28 | Twentynine Palms | ||
| Jun 08 - Jun 11 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting Mar 08 | Twentynine Palms |
For old students To help prepare the Center for the next course |
|
| Jun 11 - Jun 22 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Mar 11 | Twentynine Palms | ||
| Jun 22 - Jun 25 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting Mar 22 | Twentynine Palms |
For old students To help prepare the Center for the next course |
|
| Jun 25 - Jul 06 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Mar 25 | Twentynine Palms | ||
| Jul 06 - Jul 09 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting Apr 06 | Twentynine Palms |
For old students To help prepare the Center for the next course |
|
| Jul 09 - Jul 20 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Apr 09 | Twentynine Palms | ||
| Jul 20 - Jul 23 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting Apr 20 | Twentynine Palms |
For old students To help prepare the Center for the next course |
|
| Jul 23 - Jul 27 | 3-Day | Applications accepted starting Apr 23 | Twentynine Palms |
For old students |
|
| Jul 27 - Jul 30 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting Apr 27 | Twentynine Palms |
For old students To help prepare the Center for the next course |
|
| Jul 30 - Aug 10 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Apr 30 | Twentynine Palms | ||
| Aug 10 - Aug 13 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting May 10 | Twentynine Palms |
For old students To help prepare the Center for the next course |
|
| Aug 13 - Aug 24 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting May 13 | Twentynine Palms | ||
| Aug 24 - Aug 27 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting May 24 | Twentynine Palms |
For old students To help prepare the Center for the next course |
|
| Aug 27 - Sep 07 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting May 27 | Twentynine Palms | ||
| Sep 07 - Sep 10 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting Jun 07 | Twentynine Palms |
For old students To help prepare the Center for the next course |
|
| Sep 10 - Sep 21 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Jun 10 | Twentynine Palms | ||
| Sep 21 - Sep 24 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting Jun 21 | Twentynine Palms |
For old students To help prepare the Center for the next course |
|
| Sep 24 - Oct 05 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Jun 24 | Twentynine Palms | ||
| Oct 05 - Oct 08 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting Jul 05 | Twentynine Palms |
For old students To help prepare the Center for the next course |
|
| Oct 08 - Oct 19 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Jul 08 | Twentynine Palms | ||
| Oct 19 - Oct 22 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting Jul 19 | Twentynine Palms |
For old students To help prepare the Center for the next course |
|
| Oct 22 - Nov 02 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Jul 22 | Twentynine Palms | ||
| Nov 02 - Nov 07 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting Aug 02 | Twentynine Palms |
For old students To help on variety of tasks, and prepare the Center for the next course. |
|
| Nov 05 - Nov 14 |
Satipatthana Sutta Course This course starts on Wednesday |
Applications accepted starting Aug 07 | Twentynine Palms |
For old students This Satipatthana Sutta Course starts on Wednesday. |
|
| Nov 16 - Nov 19 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting Aug 16 | Twentynine Palms |
For old students To help prepare the Center for the next course |
|
| Nov 19 - Nov 30 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Aug 19 | Twentynine Palms | ||
| Nov 30 - Dec 03 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting Aug 31 | Twentynine Palms |
For old students To help prepare the Center for the next course |
|
| Dec 03 - Dec 14 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Sep 03 | Twentynine Palms | ||
| Dec 14 - Dec 17 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting Sep 14 | Twentynine Palms |
For old students To help prepare the Center for the next course |
|
| Dec 17 - Dec 28 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Sep 17 | Twentynine Palms | ||
| Dec 28 - Dec 31 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting Sep 28 | Twentynine Palms |
For old students To help prepare the Center for the next course |
See Comments for any special instructions for events in this section.
| Attend / Serve | Dates | Course Type | Status | Location | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apply | Dec 08 |
Teen Course ages 12-17 |
Open | Thousand Oaks |
Boys & Girls ages 12-17 |
The online application form encrypts your information before it is sent from your computer to our application server. However, it may not be totally secure even though encryption is used. If you are concerned about the possibility of security risks of your confidential information while it is on the Internet, do not use this form and instead download an application. Print and complete it. Then please send the form to the course organizers. By faxing or posting your application form it may delay the registration process by one to two weeks.
To access the Old Student Regional Site please click http://vaddhana.dhamma.org/os. A user name and password will be required to access these pages.
Questions may be addressed to Email: [email protected]
All courses are run solely on a donation basis. All expenses are met by donations from those who, having completed a course and experienced the benefits of Vipassana, wish to give others the same opportunity. Neither the Teacher nor the assistant teachers receive remuneration; they and those who serve the courses volunteer their time. Thus Vipassana is offered free from commercialisation.
Old students are those who have completed a 10-day Vipassana Meditation course with S.N. Goenka or his Assistant Teachers. Old students have the opportunity to provide Dhamma Service at the courses listed.
Bilingual courses are courses which are taught in two languages. All students will hear daily meditation instructions in both languages. The evening discourses will be heard separately.
Meditation courses are held at both center and non-center locations. Meditation centers are dedicated facilities where courses are held regularly throughout the year. Before meditation centers were established in this tradition, all courses were held at temporary sites, such as campgrounds, religious retreat centers, churches and the like. Today, in regions where centers have not yet been established by local students of Vipassana who live in the area, 10 Day meditation courses are held at non-center course sites.
10-day Courses are an introductory course to Vipassana Meditation where the technique is taught step-by-step each day. The courses begin after a 2 - 4 pm registration period and orientation, followed by 10 full days of meditation, and end the morning of the 11th day by 7:30 am.
Teenagers' Anapana Courses are available for teens in different age ranges from 13-18 years old. Their parents/guardians do not have to be Vipassana meditators.
Old Student Short Courses (1-3 days) are for any student who has completed the 10-day course with S.N. Goenka and his assistant teachers. All old students are welcome to apply to attend these courses, including those where it has been some time since their last course.
Old Student Programs are similar to Service Periods where there is time to work on a variety of Centre maintenance, construction, household and gardening projects, but have a more full and structured program, an opportunity to meet with assistant teachers, and possibly committee and trust meetings. All Old Students are welcome to participate. The daily program will include three group sittings with morning and afternoon work periods and in the evening there will be tapes played of special discourses and talks that S.N. Goenka has given to Old Students.
Satipatthana Sutta Courses have the same timetable and discipline as 10-day courses. The difference is that in the taped evening discourses the Satipatthana Sutta is carefully examined. This is the principal text in which the technique of Vipassana is systematically explained. These courses are open to serious old students who have sat (not including courses served) at least three 10-day courses, have not been practising any other meditation techniques since last 10-day course, have been practising this technique of Vipassana for at least one year, and who are trying to maintain their meditation practice and the five precepts in their daily lives, at the very minimum from the time of applying to the course.
Service Periods have been set aside to work on a variety of Centre maintenance, construction, household and gardening projects. All Old Students are welcome to apply. The daily program will include three group sittings with morning and afternoon work periods. On selected evenings, there will be tapes played of special discourses and talks that S.N. Goenka has given to Old Students.
