Dhamma Visuddhi - Menomonie, Wisconsin

Nish

My visit was from 13th-24th Dec 2023
Location- Clam, quiet area. Lake Menomin is very close. Every day during the walk, the sound of water flow, birds, plenty of pine trees was lovely. Can walk during break times.
Architecture- There are separate facilities for women dorm, men’s dorm, meditation hall, dining place, registration office. All of them in located very close - just few steps to walk.
Bathroom, bedrooms, hallways, dining area are all clean. Particularly lunch is always pretty good.
Meditation experience- Process is universal. Everything is very structured, in order and as per the time table. Assistant teacher will speak individually for questions. Intentionally, Meditation hall is kept dim and curtains are always closed. They have plenty of cushions, throws, mediation stool to sit. Well organized. All the volunteers were kind and Doing their best in providing service.

Jenna C. Johnson

- a lengthy review.

In my 38 years of being a human on this planet... this is my first negative review. I write this not to harm someone's position here but encourage tender tone when there is back and forth email communication with potential attendees. To know and treat potential attendees as someones interested, kind, willing, open, curious, dedicated and here to be a healing presence on the planet... rather than a threat... or a pest. For asking simple yet important questions. The practice itself begins for we attendees the moment we get that "attendee list" email. As does its tone.

While attending Vipassana at this center may be beautiful, I do not and will not know. This review is of how this Vipassana center conducts their emails... the languaging. And what I felt was out of place coldness.

For many of you out there pursuing Vipassana... you may have known about Vipassana for a long time before you actually attend. likely in part, if not entirely, because arranging the time in your life to attend this 11 day entirely away practice may take years to craft.

And then to sign up for a Vipassana course... it may take (and took me) various tries at various centers around the country and globe for months to finally arrive On an official attendance list.

Thru all my pursuits to attend Vipassana this year I was in contact with many centers. Waitlisted for Many. Conversations with all.

As I was in Europe for February and March on a backpacking trip, this also included European centers. Each center different with slightly different asks (as some required you had insurance and a nearby relative to pick you up in case you decided to leave Vipassana early). However, near all - with a clear energy of kindness.

In none of my conversations with centers was I met with the coldness of Wisconsin. It hurt. It's been a fragile time and arriving at Vipassana itself has been its own pilgrimage. The time could not be more ripe for this practice.

In a response to one of their emails where they layed out the menu of their center asking that you only attend if you can abide by it without bringing in any of your own food, I asked what felt a simple question about the menu so as to ensure I'd have some clear food options.

As an eating psychology coach w/ food allergies - I understand that when those who don't understand allergies are met w/ a question about food allergies they may feel some defensiveness... and also know that you gotta advocate for your body and my statement/question "I know I can adhere to what is provided as long as soy & marinades are not added to the steamed vegetables mentioned (that may contain gluten or soy)? - As long as there are steamed vegetables & rice I will be great" was not out there to complicate... but to simplify. so that there'd be no worries as an attendee nor as someone serving food to me.

The email response was to please not attend as they would not be able to accommodate my needs outside of gluten intolerance.

To which I responded that I would still like to attend please and that this menu if it is as stated, will be one I can navigate.

I was put on the waitlist with this added, "If a place for you becomes available, you must agree to accepting our menu."

From what I know of all other Vipassana centers I was waitlisted on (including popular centers - Hawaii, Switzerland, Avila Spain, Idaho, Mexico City specifically) - that in each of those I was told what number I was on the waitlist --- and though I chose not to attend due to how last minute the travel would be in those cases --- even when I was number 23 on the list... I still made it into the actual attendee list IF I were to have been a last minute, day-of YES.

Wisconsin very clearly - in tone - and in how they chose to not inform me of waitlist movement - did not want me to come.

I do not know what the tone would have been like if I was admitted and attended. But I do know that arriving to such a sacred practice, and sacred space and to feel uninvited and un-held... would have hurt my heart.

Htin Aung

This meditation center is a tranquil and peaceful place for meditation.

Cristina Metgher

My first Vipassana retreat. The instructor was knowledgeable, the staff and volunteers kind and welcoming. Would definitely recommend this location for those new to this type of meditation.

Bayzz R

Rude behavior makes you feel uncomfortable. The elderly man who runs that business is very egotistical and deviates significantly from traditional practices. The couple needs to change, and the elderly couple should retire and go home.

T P

Zen pretty much comes down to three things -- everything changes; everything is connected; pay attention.
-Jane Hirshfield

Jeremiah Rygh

I had an incredible experience here. My 10 day retreat ended yesterday. Really didn't know what I was getting into but I had many friends who had done it in other facilities and loved it. It help me physically to feel much more stable in my nerves and such mental clarity that I've never had. I felt deep peace that was priceless and the meditation technique will help me for years to come. I will recommend it to all my friends and family.

Maciej Bogucki

This practice can bring very profound changes to the way our mind acts. I went through some amazing experience and saw great potential in it. My overall personal experience has been mixed though. It definitely was very challenging in physical aspect much less so than mental in my case. Overall I experienced some serious difficulties around 7th day. The teacher and men's 'manager' didn't understand my problem and could not help me (I got some great advice from other previous students and completed the 10 days:). My disappointment came when I signed up to serve I got turned down, explaining that it was because of my teacher saying something about my difficulties. So I see this whole setup as quite flawed. Yes, this meditation is really intensive and everyone who's planning to come should read up about other people experiences too. Majority of people have great experiences, but there are people (I guess like me) who experience some problems. I wish I went to bigger center. There could be better support there (if more people participate) and maybe I wouldn't get put on a 'black list'. Also, all this idealistic talk sounds great but ring hypocrisy with the exclusion of some willing participants like me. My purpose here is not to talk bad about this practice. I see a lot of good things in it and great results for many. Definitely there's great potential in this practice. Just advice to proceed with caution. To the organization: I really appreciate all the work by teachers and volunteers. It's amazing that they provide room and board all free of charge and it obviously says a lot that the whole operation is run by donations and volunteers. Thank you!