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 | Nov 15 |
Children course |
Open | Twentynine Palms |
For boys and girls (ages 8-12) |
See Comments for any special instructions for events in this section.
| Attend / Serve | Dates | Course Type | Status | Location | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apply | Sep 13 - Sep 16 | Service Period | In Progress | Twentynine Palms |
For old students To help prepare the Center for the next course |
| Apply | Sep 16 - Sep 20 | 3-Day | Women - Closed New Men - Closed Old Men - Wait List Servers - Wait List | Twentynine Palms |
For old students For Old Students who have sat at least one 10-day course. |
| Apply | Sep 20 - Sep 23 | Service Period | Servers - Open | Twentynine Palms |
For old students To help prepare the Center for the next course |
| Apply | Sep 23 - Oct 04 | 10-Day | Women - Closed Men - Wait List Servers - Wait List | Twentynine Palms | |
| Apply | Oct 04 - Oct 07 | Service Period | Servers - Open | Twentynine Palms |
For old students To help prepare the Center for the next course |
| Apply | Oct 07 - Oct 18 | 10-Day | Women - Closed Men - Wait List Servers - Women - Wait List Servers - Men - Open | Twentynine Palms |
NEED SERVERS |
| Apply | Oct 18 - Oct 21 | Service Period | Servers - Open | Twentynine Palms |
For old students Service period to maintain the Center, and help prepare for the next course |
| Apply | Oct 21 - Oct 30 | Satipatthana Sutta | New Women - Closed Old Women - Wait List New Men - Closed Old Men - Wait List Servers - Women - Wait List Servers - Men - Open | Twentynine Palms |
Old Student Course Qualification Requirements Please note that this Satipatthana Sutta course starts on Wednesday and ends on Friday. |
| Apply | Oct 30 - Nov 04 |
Service Period For Old Students Only |
Servers - Open | Twentynine Palms |
For old students Service Period For Old Students |
| Apply | Nov 04 - Nov 15 |
10-Day
English / Khmer |
Women - Wait List Men - Open Servers - Open | Twentynine Palms |
Priority is given to Khmer-speaking students. |
| Apply | Nov 16 - Nov 18 | Service Period | Servers - Open | Twentynine Palms |
For old students To help prepare the Center for the next course |
| Nov 18 - Nov 29 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Sep 18 | Twentynine Palms | ||
| Nov 29 - Dec 02 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting Sep 29 | Twentynine Palms |
For old students To help prepare the Center for the next course |
|
| Dec 02 - Dec 13 |
10-Day
English / Persian (Farsi) |
Applications accepted starting Oct 02 | Twentynine Palms |
Priority is given to Farsi-speaking students. |
|
| Dec 13 - Dec 16 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting Oct 13 | Twentynine Palms |
For old students To help prepare the Center for the next course |
|
| Dec 16 - Dec 27 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Oct 16 | Twentynine Palms | ||
| December 30, 2026 - January 10, 2027 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Oct 30 | Twentynine Palms |
| Attend / Serve | Dates | Course Type | Status | Location | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 10 - Jan 13 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting Nov 10 | Twentynine Palms |
For old students To help prepare the Center for the next course |
|
| Jan 13 - Jan 24 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Nov 13 | Twentynine Palms | ||
| Jan 24 - Jan 27 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting Nov 24 | Twentynine Palms |
For old students To help prepare the Center for the next course |
|
| Jan 27 - Feb 07 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Nov 27 | Twentynine Palms | ||
| Feb 07 - Feb 10 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting Dec 07 | Twentynine Palms |
For old students To help prepare the Center for the next course |
|
| Feb 10 - Feb 21 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Dec 10 | Twentynine Palms | ||
| Feb 21 - Feb 24 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting Dec 21 | Twentynine Palms |
For old students To help prepare the Center for the next course |
|
| Feb 24 - Mar 07 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Dec 24 | Twentynine Palms | ||
| Mar 07 - Mar 10 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting Jan 07 | Twentynine Palms |
For old students To help prepare the Center for the next course |
|
| Mar 10 - Mar 21 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Jan 10 | Twentynine Palms | ||
| Mar 22 - Mar 28 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting Jan 22 | Twentynine Palms |
For old students This service period coincides with Board Of Trustees Meeting from March 26th to 28th. Part time service is welcome. |
|
| Mar 26 - Mar 28 |
Board Of Trustees Meeting For Old Students Only |
Applications accepted starting Feb 26 | Twentynine Palms |
For old students Board Of Trustees Meeting For Old Students Only
|
|
| Mar 29 - Mar 31 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting Jan 29 | Twentynine Palms |
For old students To help prepare the Center for the next course |
|
| Mar 31 - Apr 11 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Jan 31 | Twentynine Palms | ||
| Apr 11 - Apr 14 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting Feb 11 | Twentynine Palms |
For old students To help prepare the Center for the next course |
|
| Apr 14 - Apr 25 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Feb 14 | Twentynine Palms | ||
| Apr 25 - Apr 28 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting Feb 25 | Twentynine Palms |
For old students To help prepare the Center for the next course |
|
| Apr 28 - May 09 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Feb 28 | Twentynine Palms | ||
| May 09 - May 12 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting Mar 09 | Twentynine Palms |
For old students To help prepare the Center for the next course |
|
| May 12 - May 23 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Mar 12 | Twentynine Palms | ||
| May 23 - May 28 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting Mar 23 | Twentynine Palms |
For old students To help prepare the Center for the next course |
|
| May 28 - Jun 06 | Satipatthana Sutta | Applications accepted starting Mar 28 | Twentynine Palms |
Old Student Course Qualification Requirements |
|
| Jun 06 - Jun 09 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting Apr 06 | Twentynine Palms |
For old students To help prepare the Center for the next course |
|
| Jun 09 - Jun 20 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Apr 09 | Twentynine Palms | ||
| Jun 20 - Jun 23 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting Apr 20 | Twentynine Palms |
For old students To help prepare the Center for the next course |
|
| Jun 23 - Jun 27 | 3-Day | Applications accepted starting Apr 23 | Twentynine Palms |
For old students |
|
| Jun 27 - Jun 30 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting Apr 27 | Twentynine Palms |
For old students To help prepare the Center for the next course |
|
| Jun 30 - Jul 11 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Apr 30 | Twentynine Palms | ||
| Jul 11 - Jul 14 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting May 11 | Twentynine Palms |
For old students To help prepare the Center for the next course |
|
| Jul 14 - Jul 25 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting May 14 | Twentynine Palms | ||
| Jul 25 - Jul 28 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting May 25 | Twentynine Palms |
For old students To help prepare the Center for the next course |
|
| Jul 28 - Aug 08 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting May 28 | Twentynine Palms | ||
| Aug 08 - Aug 11 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting Jun 08 | Twentynine Palms |
For old students To help prepare the Center for the next course |
|
| Aug 11 - Aug 22 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Jun 11 | Twentynine Palms | ||
| Aug 22 - Aug 25 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting Jun 22 | Twentynine Palms |
For old students To help prepare the Center for the next course |
|
| Aug 25 - Aug 29 | 3-Day | Applications accepted starting Jun 25 | Twentynine Palms |
For old students |
|
| Aug 29 - Sep 01 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting Jun 29 | Twentynine Palms |
For old students To help prepare the Center for the next course |
|
| Sep 01 - Sep 12 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Jul 01 | Twentynine Palms | ||
| Sep 12 - Sep 15 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting Jul 12 | Twentynine Palms |
For old students To help prepare the Center for the next course |
|
| Sep 15 - Sep 26 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Jul 15 | Twentynine Palms |
See Comments for any special instructions for events in this section.
| Attend / Serve | Dates | Course Type | Status | Location | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 27 |
One Day Course For Old Students Only |
New Women - Closed Old Women - Open New Men - Closed Old Men - Open Servers - Open | Long Beach, CA |
For old students One Day Course For Old Students Only For more information please see the link below |
|
| Apply | Nov 15 |
Children course |
Open | Twentynine Palms |
For boys and girls (ages 8-12) |
| Nov 22 |
One Day Course For Old Students Only |
New Women - Closed Old Women - Open New Men - Closed Old Men - Open Servers - Open | Long Beach, CA |
For old students One Day Course For Old Students Only |
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 generally open for all children aged 8-12 years old who wish to learn to meditate. However there are local variations in age range, so please check the schedule.
Old Student Course Qualification Requirements
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 Course Qualification Requirements
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.
