Dhamma Pasava - Lava Hot Springs, Idaho

Rodrigo P.

Sensacional!

Myhom H.

I did my first 10 days course in February of last year (2024) and 3 days course in December 2024. I have to say that it was one of the hardest things I have done besides running Ragnar( 100 miles relay). I knew what I was signing myself into. I had never been through meditation course before. I was going through some stuff in life and needed to go clear my mind, find some peace and some answers. It was one of the best things I have ever done for myself. It has strengthened my mental and I have become more grounded, more clarity and more centered within myself. It’s not a place for vacation for sure. It’s a place to work hard, to purify your mind. I was so grateful for the experience. It was free and everything was funded by donations. Even people that served there during the course were all volunteers to prepare food and clean place for those that attended the course, so we didn’t have to worry about a thing beside focusing on our practicing to purify our mind and to better ourselves.

John H.

This is a breathtaking retreat center & run by incredible people. And it was the hardest 10 days of my life. Be forewarned: it's not for the faint of heart. I did not leave feeling like I was on cloud 9.

I wanted to leave feeling healed & whole, but instead, I left feeling torn apart. I left, not feeling bliss, but raw. Really, really raw. All the negativity felt heightened, but I became aware.

I could feel, even if my ego didn't like what it was feeling. I resisted it hard, but I stayed as watchful as I could & I made it 10 days.

I left feeling as disillusioned, if not more, than I did when I arrived. I heard Dr. Gabor Maté say, "Don't be afraid to be disillusioned. It's better than being illusioned. And don't be afraid to be disidentified." And that's what I got.

Those 10 days brought me through a tough deconstruction of my identity, and I didn't have the option to look away, to numb, to distract.

No, I did not leave feeling enlightened. I did not leave feeling blissed out. But I did, beyond a shadow of a doubt, leave with the knowing: the only way out is through.

And yes, I've fallen back into old habits & patterns since then. And gotten out of them. Built new patterns. And fallen out of those, too.

But, more than ever before, I'm aware. Aware of how my actions, behaviors & choices shape my life & the lives of those around me. I have hope. I feel more capable. I feel I'm walking (err, stumbling on) the path. But I'm on it, however imperfectly.

I got what I needed, not what I wanted. Please understand that. Be gentle with yourself, but stay watchful. And be committed, because there is no turning back.

Nicki T.

What a great challenging but very healing experience! This place definitely helps you learn to become the master of your own mind and will help you grow so much more than you ever expected.
If you want to be out of misery and let become the truly amazing person you know you can be but are in a stuck place in life and can't get yourself out of anger, depression, anxiety, etc. This is the best place for you to visit and take their free 10-day meditation course. You will not regret it. They provide delicious, nutritious vegetarian meals for you and are great at accommodating you if you are pregnant, have a illness etc. If you get a little feeling that you need this is your life sign up right away their space fills up fast.

Mirna R.

I would give them 100000 stars if I could, but they already have them up in their sky.

Beautiful experience, beautiful place, beautiful technique.

If you are seeing this and you were accepted and considering to go, GO and you will not be disappointed. I was very doubtful about this course, it was my first time, but they make it beautiful all the way.

The location is clean, nice and simple. The landscape morning, day and night amazed me so much. Beautiful in all senses❤️

Elisa M. C.

On day 3, I asked the teacher, "How is it not Buddhism?" She said because they don't worship the Lord Buddha and Goenka packaged his technique in a way that allows for awareness of impermanence after 10 days. I kept asking questions about how it was different than religion and she finally said, "you are free to leave." Which I found ironic because they had my car keys and my phone.

Also, don't go anywhere that makes you sign a waiver and won't inform you of the nature of the risks. And there are definitely psychological risks to meditation, especially from intense retreats. Scientific research has shown there can be serious adverse effects that aren't the student's fault and can happen to anyone, regardless of mental health or trauma history. I encourage all future students to educate themselves of the adverse effects and risks before signing up for a course.

The people here are nice though - the stars are for them.

mandaloolu X.

I had a wonderful experience. The rules are very sterile so expect to follow them to a T. The noble silence was a godsend so I could focus on myself. There is time daily to ask the teacher questions about the meditation practice and I took full advantage of this. The teachers and guides we're very respectful and the time was meaningful. I daresay it changed my life.

Rob S.

Meditation is a skill that requires practice just like playing billiards, painting, or learning guitar are skills that require practice. Consider two scenarios for learning guitar.

Scenario A) Practice 10 hours a day for 10 days straight.

Scenario B) Practice 1 hour a day for a little over 3 months.

Both scenarios have dedicated about 100 hours to practice. Which scenario will be more effective? more enjoyable? more sustainable?