Part 1- Rewiring the Mind: My Experience at a Joe Dispenza Meditation Retreat

This post is part of my series, “From Stillness to Cacao: My Mexican Wellness Journey,” where I try different wellness practices and share what I learn along the way.

In June 2024, I encountered the book You Are the Placebo by Dr Joe Dispenza. This book profoundly reshaped my understanding of the mind-body connection and ignited a curiosity I couldn't let go of. The book explores how belief alone can influence our biology and well-being. Centered on the placebo effect, it highlights how improvements in health can occur simply through expectation, even when treatments lack therapeutic value. Dr Joe argues that the body holds the power to heal itself, if only we believe it. I understand all too well the power of belief in the therapy room. In my clinical experience, clients who hold a sense of hope or a clear vision for improved mental health often engage more meaningfully and show stronger outcomes. So the idea of intentionally harnessing this effect in my clinical practise was something I felt drawn to explore further.

Dr Joe's work blends neuroscience, particularly neuroplasticity and epigenetics, with compelling case studies of spontaneous healing. At first glance, his approach may come across as somewhat 'woo woo'. I'm personally not opposed to a bit of 'woo', however, what I value most is Dr Joe's ability to ground spiritual teachings in scientific language and research. As he often states "science is the contemporary language of mysticism". This fusion makes his work both accessible and appealing to many health care professionals, bridging the gap between the spiritual and scientific.

Dr Joe advocates for meditation as a method to access the subconscious mind where many of our limiting beliefs reside. His style of meditation leans more toward the Yang or active end of the spectrum which I personally find more engaging. His guided meditations induce trance to slow brain waves which in turn increases suggestibility of the mind. Dr Joe refers to this as "overriding the programming". I found this especially intriguing, as it offers an alternative approach to a familiar therapeutic goal: challenging unhelpful core beliefs and fostering more adaptive ways of thinking. Dr Joe's meditation approach also resonated with me because the slowing of brain waves during meditation is similar to the neural processes activated during bilateral stimulation in Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy. Having witnessed the power of EMDR in healing trauma time and time again, it seems reasonable to believe that other methods could offer similar benefits.

A year on from discovering Dr Joe's work, I had the incredible opportunity to attend his week- long meditation retreat in Cancun Mexico. What unfolded over those seven days was unlike anything I had ever experienced and completely shifted my understanding of healing.

Notes From the Field

After nearly 21 hours of travel from Sydney, I landed in Cancun somewhere between jet-lagged and mildly delirious. Yet despite the haze, the beauty of the Yucatán Peninsula and the collective excitement from fellow retreat attendees stirred something in me. I was both eager for the immersive experience ahead and a little skeptical about what I was getting myself into.

When most people imagine a meditation retreat, they picture a serene setting with soft lighting, quiet contemplation, and stillness. A Joe Dispenza retreat couldn't be more different. Each day, more than 2,000 participants from across the globe pack into a ballroom that feels more like a music festival than a wellness space. Before each session, high-energy music blares through speakers, strobe lights flash, smoke fills the air, and a crowd of retreat-goers dance ecstatically in what can only be described as a mosh pit of joy.

It is fair to say this retreat was unlike any wellness experience I’d ever encountered or even imagined. Over the course of seven days, I clocked up 36 hours of sitting, lying, and walking meditation. The schedule was intense, with days beginning around 6 a.m. and often stretching until 8 p.m. There was no set itinerary, a deliberate choice by Dr Joe, who urged us to “leave the known behind” and embrace the unknown. As someone who thrives on structure and meticulous planning, it definitely took some time to adjust! Dr Joe himself led every meditation, some lasting an hour, others extending to five. Between sessions, he delivered lectures unpacking the scientific foundations behind his methods, diving into topics like neuroplasticity, epigenetics, physics, and the mind-body connection.

Now here is where it gets a little complex... Dr Joe's meditations are rooted in the belief that we’re all connected to something greater, what he calls the quantum field Others might refer to it as God, Source, or the Universe. He states that this field is made up of energy and information that contains infinite possibilities. He suggests that our thoughts and emotions send signals into this field, and when we align our energy (especially through elevated emotions like love, gratitude, or joy), we can attract experiences that match that energy. Thus a key component of Dr Joe's meditations involve achieving something called 'Coherence' which is when the brain and heart are in sync. Dr Joe believes that this is the ideal state for healing, creating, and connecting with the quantum field. It is from this position that we were guided to create future versions of ourselves and challenge our subconscious programming.

It is hard to put into words my personal experience of engaging in these meditations. The collective energy of over 2000 people meditating together definitely allowed for a deeper meditative experience. Whilst I can't claim to fully grasp quantum physics and still approach it with a healthy level of skepticism, the impact of the meditations was undeniable. Some sessions left me completely drained in a haze of sensory overload that lasted for hours. Most transported me to a state of bliss, filled with overwhelming feelings of connectedness and gratitude. Now, more than a week after the retreat has ended, I can genuinely say that the emotional high has stayed with me.

We also had three opportunities to participate in coherence healing sessions. During a coherence healing session, a group of people (called "healers") enter this coherent state together and focus their loving, healing intentions on someone in need (called the "healee"). Dr Joe teaches that this collective energy can interact with the quantum field and influence the body’s biology to promote healing. I'll be the first to admit, this concept feels wildly unconventional and stretches the limits of mainstream medical thinking. However, my profound experience during the sessions and hearing testimonials from those who have healed (with medical records to prove) have made me question everything I know about healing. Taking part as a healer was, without a doubt, the most impactful and meaningful aspect of the retreat for me.

Throughout the week, Dr Joe dedicated considerable time to exploring the concept of the ‘mystical,’ which refers to the realm of the ‘unknown.’ He guided us through several meditative practices designed to facilitate access to this space, most notably a five-hour meditation beginning at four in the morning! He explained that this was a deliberate attempt to shift consciousness during a time when the body is naturally in a more receptive, dream-like state. A central focus of these practices was the activation of the pineal gland, a small, pea-shaped structure located deep in the centre of the brain. While the pineal gland is best known for its role in regulating circadian rhythms and the sleep-wake cycle, it has also been increasingly linked to altered states of consciousness, spiritual insight, and mystical experiences. I can confidently say that I found the five hour pineal gland meditation the most challenging of them all. Although I didn’t have an overtly mystical experience, what I did encounter sparked a deepened curiosity and openness toward exploring the mystical.

What the Data Says

As a clinical psychologist, I am guided by evidence-based practice, meaning the therapies I deliver must be grounded in rigorous scientific research. From this perspective, it’s important to acknowledge that many of Dr Joe Dispenza’s teachings currently lack a robust body of empirical evidence. Much of the available research comes from pilot studies or self-reported outcomes which limits our ability to draw firm scientific conclusions.

That said, a lack of strong evidence does not necessarily mean that something isn't valid or effective. Science often lags behind innovation, particularly in areas that challenge conventional paradigms. Throughout history, many concepts were initially dismissed, only to be validated once science caught up. A notable example of this is the principle of neuroplasticity. For most of the 20th century scientists believed that the adult brain couldn't change. It’s now a well-established scientific fact that our brains remain adaptable and capable of forming new connections throughout life.

While the research gap is problematic from a scientific standpoint and means I cannot ethically integrate these methods into clinical practice, I remain deeply curious. The growing body of anecdotal evidence, physiological measurements (such as heart rate variability and EEG data) that are collected and analysed at Dr Joe retreats, and preliminary findings suggest that further research is not only warranted but essential.

Furthermore, not all meaningful experiences are easily captured by data. The impact of meditation, for instance, is deeply experiential. As someone who has personally felt its effects, I can attest that certain internal shifts such as profound emotional release, deep states of calm, or feelings of interconnectedness are difficult to quantify but no less real. This is also true of shifts that occur in the therapy space. Most of my clients will report positive changes in their health that cannot be captured by validated questionnaires. Does this mean that the effects do not exist? These lived experiences remind us that science and subjective experience can both offer valuable insights, even if they don't always speak the same language.

Ultimately, I hold space for both skepticism and openness: skepticism because clinical integrity demands it, and openness because healing is complex, and science is always evolving.

Personal Reflections

My experience at Dr Joe Dispenza’s retreat was nothing short of transformative. The week offered a depth of meditation and inner exploration that left a lasting imprint. While the scientific evidence behind some of Dr Joe’s teachings remains limited, I believe we are only beginning to scratch the surface of what is possible. I suspect that, in time, research will begin to catch up with what many are already experiencing firsthand. For anyone looking to broaden their understanding of healing, whether it be mental, physical, emotional, or spiritual I would recommend exploring Dr Joe’s work. You can learn more about his meditations, research, and retreats at drjoedispenza.com.

Are you curious about how you can incorporate more wellness practices in your day to day life to support mental wellness? Let's explore it together. Reach out to book your free discovery call today https://www.isabellarosenthalpsychology.com.au/contact 

Stay tuned for Part 2 as I explore yoga and it's wellness benefits

Please note: This blog is intended for general information and reflection, and does not constitute psychological advice or treatment.