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.
COVID-19 Protocols
- Before arrival at the center a Rapid Antigen test is to be taken. Please bring the negative test result (or a picture of the negative test result).
- An additional Rapid Test will have to be taken several days after arrival at the center. Please bring additional Rapid Tests for use during the course. Those testing positive for Covid, or displaying symptoms that are concerning, may either be asked to wear a mask, or to leave the center for the benefit of all attendees.
Those travelling to the center from longer distances are asked to wear a mask when traveling, and in public places at all times (i.e., airports & including on the airplane) before coming to attend the course.
Please note that the above Covid Protocols are subject to change. The safety of students is of paramount importance to us, and we will continue to review our protocols with the changing circumstances.
See Comments for any special instructions for events in this section.
| Attend / Serve | Dates | Course Type | Status | Location | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apply | Nov 18 |
Children Course ages 8-12 |
Open | Temecula CA |
Boys & Girls ages 8-12 |
| Apply | Nov 19 |
Teen Course ages 13-17 |
Open | Temecula CA |
Boys & Girls ages 13-17 |
See Comments for any special instructions for events in this section.
| Attend / Serve | Dates | Course Type | Status | Location | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 20 - Oct 01 |
10-Day
English / Burmese |
In Progress | Twentynine Palms |
Priority is given to Burmese-speaking students. All non Burmese speaking students will be waitlisted. Servers needed
|
|
| Apply | Oct 01 - Oct 06 | Please Note: This Service Period starts on Sunday. | Servers - Open | Twentynine Palms |
For old students To help on variety of tasks, maintenance, landscaping, and deep cleaning. Please see top of the page for COVID-19 protocols. |
| Apply | Oct 06 - Oct 15 | Satipatthana Sutta | New Women - Closed Old Women - Wait List New Men - Closed Old Men - Open Servers - Wait List | Twentynine Palms |
For old students Please see top of the page for COVID-19 protocols. |
| Apply | Oct 15 - Oct 18 | Please Note: This Service Period starts on Sunday. | Servers - Open | Twentynine Palms |
For old students To help prepare the Center for the next course Please see top of the page for COVID-19 protocols. |
| Apply | Oct 18 - Oct 29 | 10-Day | Women - Closed Men - Wait List Female Server - Wait List Male Server - Open | Twentynine Palms | Please see top of the page for COVID-19 protocols. |
| Apply | Oct 29 - Nov 01 | Please Note: This Service Period starts on Sunday. | Servers - Open | Twentynine Palms |
For old students To help prepare the Center for the next course Please see top of the page for COVID-19 protocols. |
| Apply | Nov 01 - Nov 12 | 10-Day | Women - Closed Men - Wait List Servers - Open | Twentynine Palms | Please see top of the page for COVID-19 protocols. |
| Apply | Nov 12 - Nov 15 | Please Note: This Service Period starts on Sunday. | Servers - Open | Twentynine Palms |
For old students To help prepare the Center for the next course Please see top of the page for COVID-19 protocols. |
| Apply | Nov 15 - Nov 26 | 10-Day | Women - Closed Men - Wait List Servers - Open | Twentynine Palms | Please see top of the page for COVID-19 protocols. |
| Apply | Nov 26 - Nov 29 | Please Note: This Service Period starts on Sunday. | Servers - Open | Twentynine Palms |
For old students To help prepare the Center for the next course Please see top of the page for COVID-19 protocols. |
| Nov 29 - Dec 10 |
10-Day
English / Khmer |
Applications accepted starting Sep 29 | Twentynine Palms |
The course is offered in both English & Khmer. Priority is given to Khmer-speaking students. All other students will be waitlisted. Please see the top of the page for COVID-19 protocols. |
|
| Dec 10 - Dec 13 | Please Note: This Service Period starts on Sunday. | Applications accepted starting Oct 10 | Twentynine Palms |
For old students To help prepare the Center for the next course Please see top of the page for COVID-19 protocols. |
|
| Dec 13 - Dec 17 | 3-Day | Applications accepted starting Oct 13 | Twentynine Palms |
For old students Please see top of the page for COVID-19 protocols. |
|
| Dec 17 - Dec 20 | Please Note: This Service Period starts on Sunday. | Applications accepted starting Oct 17 | Twentynine Palms |
For old students To help prepare the Center for the next course Please see top of the page for COVID-19 protocols. |
|
| Dec 20 - Dec 31 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Oct 20 | Twentynine Palms | Please see top of the page for COVID-19 protocols. | |
| December 31, 2023 - January 03, 2024 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting Oct 31 | Twentynine Palms |
For old students To help prepare the Center for the next course |
| Attend / Serve | Dates | Course Type | Status | Location | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 03 - Jan 14 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Nov 03 | Twentynine Palms | ||
| Jan 14 - Jan 17 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting Nov 14 | Twentynine Palms |
For old students To help prepare the Center for the next course |
|
| Jan 17 - Jan 28 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Nov 17 | Twentynine Palms | ||
| Jan 28 - Jan 31 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting Nov 28 | Twentynine Palms |
For old students To help prepare the Center for the next course |
|
| Jan 31 - Feb 11 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Nov 30 | Twentynine Palms | ||
| Feb 11 - Feb 14 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting Dec 11 | Twentynine Palms |
For old students To help prepare the Center for the next course |
|
| Feb 14 - Feb 25 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Dec 14 | Twentynine Palms | ||
| Feb 25 - Feb 28 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting Dec 25 | Twentynine Palms |
For old students To help prepare the Center for the next course |
|
| Feb 28 - Mar 10 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Dec 28 | Twentynine Palms | ||
| Mar 10 - Mar 13 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting Jan 10 | Twentynine Palms |
For old students To help prepare the Center for the next course |
|
| Mar 13 - Mar 24 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Jan 13 | Twentynine Palms | ||
| Mar 24 - Mar 29 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting Jan 24 | Twentynine Palms |
For old students To help on variety of tasks, maintenance, landscaping, deep cleaning and prepare the Center for the next course. |
|
| Mar 29 - Apr 07 | Satipatthana Sutta | Applications accepted starting Jan 29 | Twentynine Palms |
For old students |
|
| Apr 07 - Apr 10 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting Feb 07 | Twentynine Palms |
For old students To help prepare the Center for the next course |
|
| Apr 10 - Apr 21 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Feb 10 | Twentynine Palms | ||
| Apr 21 - Apr 24 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting Feb 21 | Twentynine Palms |
For old students To help prepare the Center for the next course |
|
| Apr 24 - May 05 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Feb 24 | Twentynine Palms | ||
| May 05 - May 08 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting Mar 05 | Twentynine Palms |
For old students To help prepare the Center for the next course |
|
| May 08 - May 19 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Mar 08 | Twentynine Palms | ||
| May 19 - May 22 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting Mar 19 | Twentynine Palms |
For old students To help prepare the Center for the next course |
|
| May 22 - May 26 | 3-Day | Applications accepted starting Mar 22 | Twentynine Palms |
For old students |
|
| May 26 - Jun 02 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting Mar 26 | Twentynine Palms |
For old students To help on variety of tasks, maintenance, landscaping, and deep cleaning. This service period coincides with the Annual Trustees Workshop from 5/31 - 6/2. Part time service is welcome. |
|
| May 31 - Jun 02 | Annual Trustees Workshop | Applications accepted starting May 01 | Twentynine Palms |
For old students |
|
| Jun 02 - Jun 05 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting Apr 02 | Twentynine Palms |
For old students To help prepare the Center for the next course |
|
| Jun 05 - Jun 16 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Apr 05 | Twentynine Palms | ||
| Jun 16 - Jun 19 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting Apr 16 | Twentynine Palms |
For old students To help prepare the Center for the next course |
|
| Jun 19 - Jun 30 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Apr 19 | Twentynine Palms | ||
| Jun 30 - Jul 03 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting Apr 30 | Twentynine Palms |
For old students To help prepare the Center for the next course |
|
| Jul 03 - Jul 14 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting May 03 | Twentynine Palms | ||
| Jul 14 - Jul 17 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting May 14 | Twentynine Palms |
For old students To help prepare the Center for the next course |
|
| Jul 17 - Jul 28 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting May 17 | Twentynine Palms | ||
| Jul 28 - Jul 31 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting May 28 | Twentynine Palms |
For old students To help prepare the Center for the next course |
|
| Jul 31 - Aug 11 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting May 31 | Twentynine Palms | ||
| Aug 11 - Aug 14 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting Jun 11 | Twentynine Palms |
For old students To help prepare the Center for the next course |
|
| Aug 14 - Aug 25 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Jun 14 | Twentynine Palms | ||
| Aug 25 - Aug 28 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting Jun 25 | Twentynine Palms |
For old students To help prepare the Center for the next course |
|
| Aug 28 - Sep 08 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Jun 28 | Twentynine Palms | ||
| Sep 08 - Sep 11 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting Jul 08 | Twentynine Palms |
For old students To help prepare the Center for the next course |
|
| Sep 11 - Sep 22 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Jul 11 | Twentynine Palms | ||
| Sep 22 - Sep 25 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting Jul 22 | Twentynine Palms |
For old students To help prepare the Center for the next course |
|
| Sep 25 - Oct 06 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Jul 25 | Twentynine Palms | ||
| Oct 06 - Oct 09 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting Aug 06 | Twentynine Palms |
For old students To help prepare the Center for the next course |
|
| Oct 09 - Oct 20 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Aug 09 | Twentynine Palms | ||
| Oct 20 - Oct 25 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting Aug 20 | Twentynine Palms |
For old students To help on variety of tasks, maintenance, landscaping, deep cleaning and prepare the Center for the next course. |
|
| Oct 25 - Nov 03 | Satipatthana Sutta | Applications accepted starting Aug 25 | Twentynine Palms |
For old students |
|
| Nov 03 - Nov 06 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting Sep 03 | Twentynine Palms |
For old students To help prepare the Center for the next course |
|
| Nov 06 - Nov 17 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Sep 06 | Twentynine Palms | ||
| Nov 17 - Nov 20 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting Sep 17 | Twentynine Palms |
For old students To help prepare the Center for the next course |
|
| Nov 20 - Dec 01 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Sep 20 | Twentynine Palms | ||
| Dec 01 - Dec 04 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting Oct 01 | Twentynine Palms |
For old students To help prepare the Center for the next course |
|
| Dec 04 - Dec 15 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Oct 04 | Twentynine Palms | ||
| Dec 15 - Dec 18 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting Oct 15 | Twentynine Palms |
For old students To help prepare the Center for the next course |
|
| Dec 18 - Dec 22 | 3-Day | Applications accepted starting Oct 18 | Twentynine Palms |
For old students |
|
| Dec 22 - Dec 25 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting Oct 22 | Twentynine Palms |
For old students To help prepare the Center for the next course |
|
| December 25, 2024 - January 05, 2025 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Oct 25 | Twentynine Palms |
See Comments for any special instructions for events in this section.
| Attend / Serve | Dates | Course Type | Status | Location | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apply | Nov 18 |
Children Course ages 8-12 |
Open | Temecula CA |
Boys & Girls ages 8-12 |
| Apply | Nov 19 |
Teen Course ages 13-17 |
Open | Temecula CA |
Boys & Girls ages 13-17 |
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.
Children's Courses are open for all children aged 8-12 years old who wish to learn to meditate. Their parents/guardians do not have to be meditators.
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 participate. 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.
