The monastery was founded by Venerable Lama Norhla under the direction of Kalu Rinpoche and the…read moreKarmapa. I was one of his first students and an early trustee, when the building you see now was just a two space garage waiting to be developed. The buildings were developed mostly by Lama Norhla, his students and practitioners. This monastery was the first in the US, back in 1980 or so, to carry through the authentic three year retreat of Tibetan Buddhism by which a person can become a Lama. A number of Lamas now well known went through the first three year retreat here. You will find the authentic holders of Tibetan Buddhism here. You can not find a more complete monastery, anywhere. This is well worth all efforts to visit and to do a retreat. You will discover the roots of what is now called mindfulness, began here in this tradition. And there is as well so much more...... Mindfulness and Compassion.

Welcoming, Peaceful, a respite from the clanging of the world... love the little shrine room down…read moreby the river especially...

I recently experienced my first bout of anxiety along with insomnia. My wife suggested I see…read moreJessica, and I'm so glad I did. I couldnt stand to feel that way any longer. It is amazing how just one session made me feel so much better. Jessica is really able to get at the heart of my issues. I no longer worry or fear what was causing my anxiety. I've been back once since to help with my sleeping and plan on making regular visits in the future. I'm sure Jessica will help me realize just how special this life is and my true path in it.

I reached out to Jessica at a very difficult time in my life. Her ability to give me clarity and…read moreinsight into my conflict was incredibly soothing. Jessica helped me to see where I was blocked and helped me begin to heal myself. She is very soft, intuitive and straight forward. Jessica's extensive training in so many areas all come together in her sessions to address the emotional, physical, and spiritual elements. You cannot imagine how great you will feel after an appointment. Jessica sends you out with a light and a renewed energy to to really stay whole from the inside out. She is truly a gift.

DDRC is a rare meditation center that offers profound, authentic teachings of Buddhism in a setting…read moreand fashion that is accessible to those who may be unfamiliar. Thank you very much to all of the teachers and volunteers who have worked tirelessly to give us a space for relaxation and training. The teachers at DDRC are monastics from Asia or trained lay practitioners who are experienced in using English to instruct western students. The design of their retreats are comfortable and forgiving while still providing adequate intensity to challenge and inspire growth. (Note for those familiar with meditation: the Chan school from which DDRC issues relentlessly focuses on meditative methods and the usage of the mind, and less on formal strictures and conventions. If you are familiar with retreats in the Zen style, you will probably adjust to the Chan approach quite quickly.) The facilities, especially the meditation hall, are beautiful and modern. The retreat center is located in the tranquil embrace of nature where one normally hears nothing but birdsong and the sound of flowing water, though it is still easily accessible by car. Highly recommended for both those new to meditation and advanced practitioners looking to go deeper.

The retreat was life-changing and the leader was excellent. I struggled with getting into…read moremeditation and this weekend really helped me develop meditation skills. The environment was beautiful and clean. The food was fabulous and healthy. Everything was even better than I expected.

A locus of positive energy maintained by a small group of quiet, helpful persons with very specific…read moreskills. This is a place unlike most and well worth a visit.

I heard good things about the place. Unfortunately I was…read morestood up on a deep tissue massage. Waited over a hr in the lobby for nothing. Complete waste of a beautiful Saturday morning... Hope they improve the communication skills or else it won't matter how good they are.

Truly in depth approach to yoga and healing arts. Strong community aspect and very in-tune and…read moreskilled practitioners.

I just did an overnight retreat at Sky Lake, "Listening to Silence" with Roger Guest. When it was…read moreover I felt like I was walking on air. The lodge is so peaceful, the rooms so cozy, the natural surroundings so beautiful and the people incredibly warm and welcoming. They have a number of intersting events, retreats available and it is incredibly affordable. I arrived with a broken ankle and they did everything they could to accomodate me and they did t with such grace and patience. Take the time to check their website.They offer so many variations on the "retreat" theme. This is the perfect place to go if you need a break from the noisey, turbulent world we live in.

I participated in the retreat "Listening to Silence" with teacher Roger Guest. Roger is an…read moreexcellent teacher. It was a profound benefit to me. It was a short event, all day Saturday and part of Sunday. We had a very small group which afforded me the opportunity to ask questions. I enjoyed my fellow attendees , the organization, and the food provided. Sky Lake is a beautiful location, very peaceful and quiet. I commuted. Lodging is available.

I'm writing this as a concerned parent after my daughter attended a 10-day Vipassana retreat at…read moreDhamma Dhara. Before attending, she was loving, connected, and in close contact with our family. After the retreat, there was an immediate and complete cutoff in communication with all of us--something entirely out of character and deeply painful. The staff were kind when I reached out, and I respect that many benefit from this practice. However, I don't believe there is enough awareness about how intense 10 days of silence and deep introspection can be, especially for someone already going through major life changes. When such a drastic shift happens so suddenly, it raises real concerns about vulnerability, influence, and lack of support during reintegration. Families should be aware and prepared for possible unexpected changes. If my daughter ever reads this: you are loved, missed, and always welcome back

I wish I knew about this 10 years ago even 20 it was intense, but so life-changing... So well…read moreorganized... The food was great even though I don't particularly like vegetarian vegan food. It was wonderful... And thankfully previous students had clean very well, and the place was spotless. I will go back and serve on a course... Try and get the time to go and do this. You will be thankful.

My wife and I met Audrey Rose and Jon-Luke at the Omega Institute. Their sessions were the…read morehighlight of our visit! I attended daily meditation practice with Jon-Luke, and he brought both depth and gentleness to the work. A high point was a session filled with sounds, both challenging and nurturing, to help strengthen one's practice. My wife attended a breathwork workshop with Audrey Rose. She had a powerful experience, and she felt supported and nurtured the entire time. At other times during the week, typically over meals, we enjoyed getting to know the instructors better. They were articulate, friendly, and enthusiastic in discussing wellness and life in general. Highly recommended!

This was my first experience with breathwork and it was truly incredible. Jon-Luke and Audrey Rose…read moredo an amazing job explaining the whole process and making you feel comfortable. The experience was immersive and transformative. I left feeling more hopeful and optimistic, like a weight had been lifted. Highly recommend for anyone looking to heal. I look forward to doing it again : )

Seems to drifting away from The Healing Arts aspect and heading into a direction thats not true to…read morethe nature the drinks the new decor you cant buy spirituality and healing it comes from within all I see is price tags and flashing nothing authentic and from within

This is a great healing space with many events and offerings. They are community-focused, so…read moreeveryone is welcome.

This place is addictive!! Very positive vibe with lots of amazing people. Definitely come and check…read moreit out you won't regret it!

Variety of classes, great music, community vibe! As a postpartum mom, this place makes me feel…read morewelcome by offering modifications to workouts and lots of encouragement. I highly recommend!