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 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.

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.

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.

I cannot recommend this place enough. I recently attended a 3-day beginner's meditation retreat and…read moreall I can say is that is was clear that they wanted nothing from me; they only wanted to see me grow. The purpose of the retreat was to create an environment that would support everyone in their practice and would encourage mindfulness at all times. The retreat was held in silence, which took some getting used to, but was ultimately very effective in creating the ultimate peaceful environment. Because it was a beginner's retreat, there were some conversations held discussion style with the entire group. The retreat was very affordable, especially for students. I wish I could afford to give them more than I did! The food is PHENOMENAL! With an all vegetarian menu, I overate at every meal because of how delicious and healthy everything was. In fact, when I first arrived, I had a cold. After eating such healthy food all weekend, I left feeling refreshed and cold-free. The retreat was led by Rikki Asher and Nancy Bonardi. They were both warm, happy, and wonderful teachers. They shared their wisdom openly, but also respected and learned from anything that those attending were willing to share. There are many details about what type of programs are available on the website. I am looking forward to trying to find another opportunity to spend time on the beautiful campus. I left feeling loved, peaceful, and inspired. I found a direction to take my practice in and I have felt more patient and compassionate toward the people in my life ever since.

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.

Easing back into yoga after health setbacks and grateful for this space. All the teachers are…read morelovely. I appreciate gentle yoga. Very accessible program and welcoming community hub.

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.

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 took my first 10 day course there in 2009 and my life improved in every way. Life has been a…read moreblissful journey since for which I'm forever grateful. If you're reading this or thinking about it know that the journey to yourself is the best path you can take and here in this great state of Massachusetts its offered free of charge. Best things in life are indeed free. Thank you Goenka and the entire Vipassana organization. A Happy Will.

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

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.