how many days does the introductory vipassana course lasts for

by Philip Ebert 6 min read

Why is the course ten days long? Actually, the ten-day course is the minimum; it provides an essential introduction and foundation to the technique. To develop in the practice is a lifetime job.

How long does it take to learn Vipassana?

The courses begin on the start date after registration period and orientation, followed by 10 full days of meditation. Courses end on the morning of the 11th day by 7:00 am. To learn Vipassana, it is necessary to take a ten-day residential course under the guidance of a qualified teacher.

Do I have to pay to run a Vipassana course?

All Vipassana courses worldwide are run on a strictly voluntary donation basis. At the end of your course, if you have benefited from the experience, you are welcome to donate for the coming course, according to your volition and your means.

What is the admission procedure for Vipassana meditation course?

Vipassana Meditation Course Admission Procedure The candidates have to go through a Q&A round through which the decision on considering them eligible is taken. The applicants are also required to get official approval from the doctor to get approved. Vipassana Meditation Course Duration

What are the requirements to become a Vipassana practitioner?

Must be practising Vipassana exclusively (not practising any other meditation techniques). Must be trying to maintain a daily practice of two hours per day, at least from the moment of application. Must be trying to maintain Sila in daily life. Must have sat at least one Satipaṭṭhāna Sutta Course.

How long is a Vipassana?

10-dayVipassana is a 10-day silent meditation retreat—and there is nothing like 10 days of silence to show you the nature of your own mind.

What is a 10 day Vipassana course?

10 days, 11 hours of meditation per day. No talking or communication of any kind, not even hand gestures or eye contact. No reading or writing materials of any kind. No exercise, no entertainment, no physical contact, no leaving the grounds, no food or drink besides what was provided.

How many hours a day do you meditate in Vipassana?

10 hoursThere are many different lengths of Vipassana retreats — from 3 days to 3 months, with 10 days being the most common — but they all involve at least 10 hours of meditation a day.

Can Vipassana be done at home?

Vipassana at Home is an online meditation course for people who want to explore meditation in their everyday life. The course introduces participants to the Vipassana meditation technique over the course of 10 days. Participants will meditate every morning and evening using 1-hour pre-recorded guided meditations.

Are mobiles allowed in Vipassana?

The following items are not allowed during the course. So even if brought to the center, they are to be deposited along with any other valuables, for safe custody with the management on day zero, till the end of the course. Cell phones or palm tops. These shall not be used as alarm clocks during the course.

How much should I pay for Vipassana?

According to the tradition of Vipassana, there are no fees or charges for attending the courses, not even for accommodation and food.

What food is given in Vipassana?

Sample MenuBreakfast (Every Day)Oatmeal, Stewed Prunes, Fruit Bowl, Toasts and Jellies, etc.Day 1Penne Pasta with Tomato Sauce, Quinoa, Brown Rice, Steamed Broccoli, Non-dairy Herb Bread, Salad, Fresh FruitDay 2Baked Nutritional Tofu, Brown Rice, White Rice, Steamed Kale, Salad, Banana Bread10 more rows

What is the right age for Vipassana?

Eligibility for Children Course & Timetable. Students from the age of eight to sixteen eighteen years are eligible to attend the courses.

How difficult is Vipassana?

The Vipassana retreat remains one of the most difficult things I've ever chosen to do. By Day 6, I felt exhausted by the pain, the sleepless spider-filled nights, and a mind slowly unspooling. Some people talk about intruding memories of childhood or overly sexual thoughts during their Vipassana experience.

Can Vipassana be done lying down?

When you practice Vipassana the entire day, you also should practice lying down meditation along with sitting, walking, and standing exercises. You should practice the sitting and walking meditations between 30-60 minutes in duration while standing and lying down meditations are to be done in 5-15 minutes.

What should I do after Vipassana?

4 Ways to Acclimate Back to Normal Life After a 10-Day Silent Vipassana RetreatTake a day or two off from work before returning back to emotionally process. ... Processing the experience with the right people. ... Meditate, Meditate, Meditate. ... Use the Vipassana (Dhamma.org) Website or App as a Resource!

Is Vipassana free?

The Vipassana meditation course is a 10-day silent residential program that focuses on observing the breath and bodily sensations. Days begin at 4.30 a.m., so it's not for the faint of heart. However, the course, food and accommodations are all free of charge.

How long is a 10 day meditation course?

10-day Courses are an introductory course to Vipassana Meditation where the technique is taught step-by-step each day. The courses begin after a 2 - 4 pm registration period and orientation, followed by 10 full days of meditation, and end the morning of the 11th day by 7:30 am. 10-day Executive Courses are an introductory course to Vipassana ...

How many courses are there in 30 day yoga?

30-day Courses are open only to serious Old Students committed to this technique who have completed a minimum of six 10-day courses (one since their first 20-day course), one 20-day course, one Satipatthana Sutta course, and have been practicing regularly for at least two years.

What is a bilingual course?

Bilingual courses are courses which are taught in two languages. All students will hear daily meditation instructions in both languages. The evening discourses will be heard separately. Old students are those who have completed a 10-day Vipassana Meditation course with S.N. Goenka or his Assistant Teachers. Old students have the opportunity ...

What is the 14 day gratitude course?

The 14-Day Gratitude Course was previously called the Teacher's Self Course. One of the qualities we develop as we meditate is gratitude - gratitude towards one’s teachers, Goenkaji and Mataji, and towards the long tradition of Vipassana teachers, right back to the Buddha.

How long is an old student short course?

Course Type. Old Student Short Courses (1-3 days) are for any student who has completed the 10-day course with S.N. Goenka and his assistant teachers. All old students are welcome to apply to attend these courses, including those where it has been some time since their last course.

How long is the Executive Course?

For more information please visit the Executive course website. The courses begin after a 2-4 pm registration period and orientation, followed by 10 full days of meditation, and end the morning of the 11th day by 7:30am. 10-day Courses for Old Students have the same timetable and discipline as 10-day courses.

Can old students do dhamma?

Old students have the opportunity to provide Dhamma Service at the courses listed. All courses are run solely on a donation basis. All expenses are met by donations from those who, having completed a course and experienced the benefits of Vipassana, wish to give others the same opportunity.

What was the idea of the Buddha's meditation?

The idea was to clearly disseminate the Buddha's teaching on meditation and liberation to those who wished to read it; and particularly for isolated individuals with no access to retreat centres and meditation groups.

Can you meditate online?

There is new material every day and this can be accessed at a time that suits you. There is never a need to be online at a specific time.

Is there a free service for South Asia?

There are substantial discounts for previous participants and a number of subsidised places will continue to be available for those who genuinely cannot subscribe at the standard rate. There is also a free service for South Asia, known as the Homelands scheme.

Can you take meditation classes with no religion?

No, certainly not. The course teaches meditation practices that are based on the Buddha's teachings and the living tradition that has carried them. They can be used by people of different religions or following no religion.

How long is Vipassana?

To develop in the practice is a lifetime job. Experience over generations has shown that if Vipassana is taught in periods of less than ten days, the student does not get a sufficient experiential grasp of the technique.

What is Vipassana art?

Vipassana is an art of living, a way of life. While it is the essence of what the Buddha taught, it is not a religion; rather, it is the cultivation of human values leading to a life which is good for oneself and good for others.

What time does S.N. Goenka teach?

Every evening at 7:00 p.m. there is a videotaped lecture by the Teacher, S.N. Goenka, which provides a context for meditators to understand their experience of the day. This schedule has proved workable and beneficial for hundreds of thousands of people for decades.

Why do teachers give Vipassana?

This rule means that some of them may have less time for teaching, but it protects students from exploitation and it guards against commercialism. In this tradition, teachers give Vipassana purely as a service to others. All they get is the satisfaction of seeing people's happiness at the end of ten days.

How long is silence observed?

Silence is observed for the first nine full days. On the tenth day, speech is resumed as a way of re-establishing the normal pattern of daily life. Continuity of practice is the secret of success in this course; silence is an essential component in maintaining this continuity.

What happens if you leave a course early?

If you leave early, you do not learn the full teaching and do not give the technique a chance to work for you. Also, by meditating intensively, a course participant initiates a process that reaches fulfillment with the completion of the course. Interrupting the process before completion is not advisable.

Is meditation difficult?

For a person in reasonable physical and mental health who is genuinely interested and willing to make a sincere effort, meditation (including "noble silence") is not difficult. If you are able to follow the instructions patiently and diligently, you can be sure of tangible results.

How many days of Dhamma training is required for a 60 day course?

60-day course is reserved for ATs who have sat two 45-day courses and give regular Dhamma Service (i.e., those who have conducted at least 4 ten day courses in last year or are serving regularly in other capacity).

What is self course?

Self-courses are for serious old students who have completed at least three 10-Day courses - the most recent being within the last two years. There are no teachers present, no student managers, no noon interviews, and no question/answer sessions at the end of the day.

How long does Goenkaji teach?

Completion of at least seven 10-Day courses with Goenkaji or one of his assistant teachers (one to be completed after 30-Day course). Practice this technique for at least 3 years. Completion of at least two 30-Day Courses. Maintenance of daily practice of two hours per day for at least 2 years.

How many days are in a 10 day special course?

Application for admission to each of the 10-Day Special Course, 20-Day Course, 30-Day Course, 45-Day Course, 60-Day Course and the Teacher's Self-course must include a recommendation from an Assistant Teacher who knows you well and a Full Teacher from the student's local area.

What is dhamma service?

Dhamma service on long courses is open to old students who are committed to this technique of Vipassana meditation, who have successfully completed three 10-day Vipassana courses in this tradition, who have served one 10-day course, who practice two hours a day and maintain the five precepts.

How often does Vipassana run?

The 10 day Vipassana courses run throughout the year, approximately twice a month. You can check the latest schedule on the website. To guarantee a spot, sign up as early as possible as the wait lists can get long.

How long does it take to meditate Vipassana?

If you think you might sign up for a 10 day Vipassana Meditation course, my advice is to do it. It’s only 10 days, you will survive. If you’re still undecided start writing down your worries and think about them.

Vipassana Meditation Course Structure

The participants are expected to wake up at 4 a.m. and continue the day till 9 p.m. Throughout the day you are expected to meditate for eight to ten hours with regular breaks and rest periods.

Subjects, Concepts in Vipassana Meditation Course

The students are taught the “noble silence” under the Vipassana meditation course which means silence of body, speech and mind. The course teaches helps you learn about the following concepts:

Eligibility Criteria for Vipassana Meditation Course

Someone who is physically weak or ill might not be able to follow the schedule or benefit from the course, thus they are not considered eligible for the course.

Vipassana Meditation Course Fee Structure

The vipassana meditation course is a gift given to each of its students. The teachers, room or board receive no material benefit from it. Thus, the course is based on a donation basis as per your means and no cost is charged whatsoever.

Vipassana Meditation Course Admission Procedure

The candidates have to go through a Q&A round through which the decision on considering them eligible is taken. The applicants are also required to get official approval from the doctor to get approved.

Vipassana Meditation Course Duration

The duration of the course is 10 days minimum. The course has been shorted through time, whereas it was for 7 weeks in the early 20th century. It was then shortened to a month, two weeks and now ten days which is the minimum time period required to benefit from the practice.

Vipassana Meditation Course Completion Procedure

Anybody leaving the course in between before the course of 10 days will not be able to benefit from the course. The tenth day is the most important as it helps the students go back to daily life and practice the art of living a fulfilled and happy life.

Course Structure

  • To learn Vipassana, it is necessary to take a ten-day residential course under the guidance of a qualified teacher. The courses are conducted at established Vipassana Centres and other places. For the duration of the retreat, students remain within the course site having no contact with the outer world. They refrain from reading and writing, and su...
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The Teacher

  • Mr. S. N. Goenka was authorised to teach Vipassana Meditation by a respected Vipassana teacher of Burma, Sayagyi U Ba Khin. Born in Burma of Indian heritage, and well established as a businessman and householder, Mr. S. N. Goenka did his first course under Sayagyi in 1955 at the International Meditation Centre in Rangoon. In Vipassana, S. N. Goenka found an invaluable jewe…
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Minimum Age Requirement

  • A person should have completed 19 years of age to apply for a 10-day Vipassana course. Youngsters in the age group between 15-19 years can apply for teenagers' courses while students between the age 10-17 years can join children's courses.
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Course Charges

  • To help preserve the technique in its original, authentic form, it is not taught commercially, but is offered freely instead. No person involved in its teaching receives any material remuneration. There are no charges for the courses - not even to cover the cost of food and accommodation. All expenses are met by voluntary donations from people who, having completed a course and havi…
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How to Apply

  • 1. Read the Code of Discipline in Hindi or English 2. Select a Center: Select a Vipassana Course at a convenient location from the list of Centers. 3. Submit application form for the suitable dates: Apply for the dates convenient for you at the selected Center. Every center has its own method of accepting applications. But generally, students can apply in one of the following ways: a.) Onlin…
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Impact on Course Participants

  • While many students often find the ten-day vipassana course a life-changing experience, the real changes are understood over time. The balanced view of “know yourself, by yourself, for yourself”, as some students call it, helps one live peacefully and harmoniously with oneself and with others. The transformation in one's attitude at the end of the course reduces stress while increasing me…
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