There’s a sign on Route 62 on the west side of Twentynine Palms that reads “SCVC.” Dan Stork has some information on the Southern California Vipassana (vih-PAHSS-a-nuh) Center for you to meditate upon…
The Southern California Vipassana Center in Twentynine Palms is, by intent, a quiet place in the desert. Its purpose is to house visitors for silent retreats, most of which last 10 days. Except for the first and last days of such a retreat, up to 60 visitors rise at 4 a.m., and meditate for about 10 hours, broken by vegetarian meals, rest periods, and a video lecture in the early evening, before retiring at 9 p.m. They may speak to the instructor or to management staff about material needs, but not to each other. Following traditional practice, students at SCVC receive meditation instruction, food and lodging free of charge. After completing a course, students may donate so that future students will have the same opportunity to learn the technique. All the work of running the center and managing the courses is done by volunteers who are practicing the technique of vipassana. The center serves students from all over the U.S. and many foreign countries, but also encourages residents of the Morongo Basin to sign up for a 10-day course. For more information about SCVC and Vipassana meditation, which is a non-sectarian practice with Buddhist roots, there is a link in this story at Z1077fm.com. http://www.vaddhana.dhamma.org/
AN INTRODUCTION TO THE TWENTYNINE PALMS VIPASSANA CENTER
