Institute of Mentalphysics aka Joshua Tree Retreat Center — Local services in Joshua Tree

Many yeas ago this place had a different sign...Psychic Institute, I think it was. We were driving a VW bus across desert, at night, cutting across a vast barren area, headed for the area near Palm Springs. But, in the wee hours of the morning, the wind had whipped up such a sands storm, we couldn't see the road....otherwise, I'd have kept driving]. Luckily, I could just make out a driveway [there had been no room to just pull to the verge..there wasn't one I could see]. So, with wind whipping sand sideways at something like 50 mph or more gusts, I pulled just into the driveway....and saw the sign "Psychic....." My thoughts were, "Great! They will know we were in trouble and mean them no harm, so we'll park here until it's safe to drive"....no one in their right mind would deliberately drive in that storm! At the crack of dawn, someone was banging, hard, on the driver's window, yelling "You can't park here!!!" My bleary eyes registered it was a tall, older man...who was, indeed, EXTREMELY ANGRY. I tried to tell him it had been an emergency. He was having none of any explanation, except yelling & gesticulating to leave. By that time, our toddler child and my spouse had roused, and that man COULD see them.... But charity and compassion were vastly lacking in that man, despite the region being one in which people could literally die without compassion & charity. He couldn't care less....at about 5am on a weekday morning, with sand still being kicked-up. I was glad to have at least had a couple hours respite from driving in such a storm. We did make it to civilization, but what if our car had been harmed by that storm? Sheesh. SOooo...clearly, there was NOTHING psychic there! Nor anything related to Humane treatment of your fellow humans. But, there was a strong ambiance of "PT Barnum" fakery, with big price tags. By their works, you will know...

It was my first time out at Joshua Tree- I flew in from Philadelphia for an event being hosted there. Everything from the landscape to the architecture was breathtaking. I felt right at home in my little cabin with lots of natural light and a beautiful view. And I absolutely fell in love with not just the food provided at the café, but the sweetest sweethearts operating it. Every day felt like a new layer of nourishment for me, body and soul. Looking forward to returning when I...

An oasis in the heat, the lunch and pool special hits the spot. Enjoy a delicious hydration bowl, or veggie BLT and the tropical iced tea, then tour the mystical grounds to feel the spiritual vibrations of the energy vortex. This retreat is fun as well as refreshing! The labyrinth showed me the way forward, which is exactly what I needed at this time of crossroads in my life. I will...