The Integratron

I just got back from five days in Palm Springs and fell in love with the place. There is something about being in the desert that recharges me.  It’s likely the combination of scenery and purity that transport me to a much quieter headspace.   Here’s an account of one of the side trips I took.

The town of Landers lies roughly an hour or so outside of Palm Springs.  After drifting through the mountains and taking a few turns you are greeted by a domed structure that looks like a small observatory.  The man who built it, George Van Tassel, asserted that his design was based in part on the directions of extraterrestrials. He claimed to have been taken aboard a ship that arrived to Landers from the planet Venus in 1953. While onboard, Van Tassel learned the various theories of time travel and rejuvenation that shaped his knowledge.  According to the website, the Integratron’s physical location is a key component of its magic. More details are here.

These days, the easiest way for the public to experience the Integratron is to partake in a sound bath. Once everyone is lying down comfortably on the floor, a guided meditation takes place for grounding purposes. Next, a series of quartz bowls are played which emanate sounds and vibrations that are enhanced by the acoustically optimized building. I recall thinking that the sounds were coming not from the woman playing the bowls but from within my skull. After a few minutes I felt myself slipping into a different state of awareness. It was a spiritual Elvis-has-left-the-building moment.


The best way I can describe my state is that it was in-between being awake and being asleep. I was aware of being inside my body but I was not fully conscious. At first I experienced audio hallucinations where the sounds began to form words (I only wish I could recall what those words were). The next thing I remember is the feeling of opening my eyes and seeing a vase of yellow flowers on a white mantle against a white wall. Later, I thought I saw the sections of the Integratron wall folding in on each other.

For the first 30 minutes or so of the drive back to Palm Springs I felt a tingling sensation all over. I also experienced the sensation of floating within my own body. I hadn’t felt so calm in a long time and chose to drive in silence, enjoying the scenery and serenity.

Check out the Integratron site for full details on how to visit.  Reservations are essential as there is a limited amount of space.

http:www.integratron.com