Vedanta Society of Southern California, Santa Barbara Temple

Google Love this spot. Perfect way to end or take break from the day. Little mediation then off to hike.5 stars

Google Serene, picturesque, great book store.5 stars

Google It is a beautiful temple but I had a horrifying scary experience!!! I went inside the temple to meditate, I have nerve damage and two broken discs in my back after I was hit by a car last year, I was struggling to sit in the chair so I sat on the floor and leaned back. A man who works there dressed in blue jeans Caucasian male in his 50-60's got up (he works there) from meditating stormed over to me and screamed that if "I couldn't sit up I should just leave and am not welcome there" I told him about my physical (medically documented disability) I have the MRIS and paper work to prove this legally and medically! Just go and ask Megan Sandoval at the disabilities office at Pacifica! I was shocked to face such rage and discrimination for having a medical disability that affects my spine. For a moment I needed to extend back, to adjust pain levels in my spine for a brief minute. In a place where I expected to be a spiritual sanctuary where all people are welcome to learn the last thing I ever expected was to be screamed at and verbally assaulted by a man! I thought I would be "safe" in there.Before my accident that injured my spine I was an ashtanga yoga instructor and I welcomed all people into class to meditate and practiced and tried to never exercise judgment and discriminate towards people or ask them to leave if they did not want to sit a certain way due to an injury or physical limitation. I told this man about my medical condition and he continued to be angry and rude. None the less I was appalled. This could be a liability waiting to happen for this organization on a legal level. I am intending to write a letter and call whoever manages that temple and whoever is a main figure in the Southern California district. I will find the main head quarters and have already drafted a start to a letter. As a ptsd sufferer and DV survivor who uses meditation to help with my symptoms the last thing i ever expected was to be accosted by a man towered over me! Of course I was triggered and scared! Despite him demanding I leave I intended to not let my fear of him drive me away from my right to mediate. Keep in my mind my shoes were off my phone was not on the premise I respected the rules to not photograph. I then met back with my friend outside who was also there and we told the monk there what occurred he offered no apologies and defended the man that verbally assaulted me and denied the experience. And looked at my friend like she was crazy for telling him. This is disgusting behavior, not something I would ever expect in a spiritual sanctuary that should be honored and respected! I am sending love and compassion that man's way to hopefully help with his rage issues perhaps towards women. I also intend to notify the head of Pacifica Graduate Institute about this unfortunate event. My friend witnessed the whole event as well and was also shocked. So I have a witness. I am taking this as a lesson to speak up towards rage full judgmental individuals. FYI behavior like this is high liability and a law suit waiting to happen if he went after the wrong person!. I hope this never has to happen to anyone again who steps foot in there! It is a lovely structure. I get the sense they do not welcome outsiders. I myself am South Asian Indian my parents are from there, I have been there and have never witnessed behavior like this there ever. I have a right to be welcomed in a temple where a practice originates from the country of my blood and ancestry. I never expected this. I didn't even want to speak out or tell anyone about this horrid experience but, not doing so does a disservice to other people who could be attacked and discriminated against. "Spiritual" people perpetrating power trips is despicable. I hope he learns basic customer service and social skills.1 star

Google Take yo shoes off and listen5 stars

Google What a wonderful experience! I love meditating in this most sacred place. In the early morning hours it is just you and the ever powerful presence. Thank you to the ones who care for us!5 stars

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