• How do I learn Vipassana?
• How much does a course cost?
• Are there courses shorter than ten days?
• How many students attend each course?
• What are the accommodations like?
• What kind of food is served?

How do I learn Vipassana?

New students learn Vipassana by taking an intensive, residential ten-day course. Instructions are provided by S.N. Goenka on video and audio tapes. One or more assistant teachers are also present to provide guidance and answer any questions about the technique.

After reviewing information about the program, course requirements, and the Code of Discipline, you can check the Course Schedule* to see which dates are available and register for a course either online, by fax, or by mail. To register by fax or by mail, contact the Registrar and the number below.

How much does a course cost?

Each student who attends a Vipassana course is given this gift by a previous student. There is no charge for either the teaching, or for room and board. 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.

Are there courses shorter than ten days?

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. 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. Traditionally, Vipassana was taught in retreats lasting seven weeks. With the dawning of the 20th century, the teachers of this tradition began to experiment with shorter times to suit the quickening pace of life. They tried thirty days, two weeks, ten days, down to seven days--and they found that less than ten days is not enough time for the mind to settle down and work deeply with the mind-body phenomenon.

How many students attend each course?

Course size varies, ranging from approx 20 to 90 students. Courses that fall during a holiday generally have higher attendance.

What are the accommodations like?

Accommodations are simple rooms with a single bed. The Men’s residence has rooms with attached bath for senior old students, as well single rooms adjacent to an attached bath house with private showers and changing rooms. The Women’s residence has single rooms all with attached baths.

What kind of food is served?

The menu is a tasty and nutritious vegetarian menu. Special diets due to medical conditions and serious allergies can be accommodated with advance notice. Please discuss any dietary issues with the Registrar during the registration process.

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Register Online

Unless otherwise specified online registration is available for all courses. Please follow the steps below:

• Read the Code of Discipline
• Select a course from our schedule and fill out an online course application

Register via Fax or Mail

You can also register for a course via fax or mail. To contact the Registrar, please send an email to registration@siri.dhamma.org or call at 1-214-528-5258.

Guidelines

• One form per course
  You must submit a separate form for each course for which you apply.

• One form per person
  Each individual must submit their own application (i.e. one form per person).

• Changing courses
  If, after submitting a course application, you wish to change your original course date for a different one (at another time), it would be helpful if you would submit a new application. This will save the registrar time and avoid possible confusion in the system.

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Please find below the information for those who have been accepted for a meditation course at Dhamma Siri.

If you have any further questions regarding the courses, please do not hesitate to contact the Registrar at registration@siri.dhamma.org or 1-214-521-5258.

• Confirm Registration
• Code of Discipline
• Clothing
• Toiletries
• Bedding
• Meditation Cushions
• Other Articles
• Arrival and Departure Times
• Cancellation Instructions

Confirm Registration

If you have not reconfirmed by the 14th Day (two weeks) before your course starts, your space may be given to someone on the Waiting List.

There are sometimes waitlists for courses. To ensure your spot in a course and to help with planning for the course, we ask that you reconfirm your registration (by phone or email) 3-4 weeks before the course begins.

Although you may have received confirmation from the registration office, we understand that circumstances may change. You are asked to reconfirm your registration, with your transportation details, so that the Center knows when to expect you. Whether you are still able to attend or not, we ask that you let us know. If you are unable to attend, someone else on the waiting list may be able to utilize that spot.

You may e-mail your reconfirmation to registration@siri.dhamma.org or you may call 1-214-521-5258.

Code of Discipline

If you have not already done so, please read the Code of Discipline.

This document contains important information about the content, structure, and rules of the course. By submitting your application, you have agreed to follow the "CODE OF DISCIPLINE" during this course.

Clothing

NO SHORTS, TANK TOPS, TIGHTS OR REVEALING CLOTHING.

Tights or leggings should be worn only under a knee-length top or shirt. Please read the CODE OF DISCIPLINE carefully and note the rules regarding clothing.

Please anticipate your individual needs in this environment. The rooms and the meditation hall are climate-controlled by central heat and air conditioning. Many people like a sweater, shawl or light blanket in the meditation hall. As outdoor shoes are not worn in the meditation hall, dining hall or residential quarters, it is advisable to bring shoes that are easy to slip on and off.

Bring sufficient clothing for the duration of your stay. Although automated laundry facilities are not available, facilities are available for hand wash and line dry.

Toiletries

NO PERFUMED OR SCENTED CREAMS, POWDERS, SHAVING LOTIONS, ETC.

Bring all items necessary for personal hygiene such as:

• Towel
• Toothbrush and toothpaste
• Bath soap
• Shampoo / conditioner
• Shaving/Sanitary supplies

Bedding

A single bed with a mattress is provided. Please bring sheets, pillow, and blanket or sleeping bag.

Meditation Cushions

The meditation hall is carpeted and a cotton meditation cushion is provided. Meditation benches are also available. You may bring your own meditation cushion if you desire. Please request a chair if you need one on the first day of the course after your arrival.

Other Articles

Please do not bring unnecessary valuables or jewelry. Also, please do not bring food items, books, radios, computers, tape players, writing materials, journals, or religious objects.

All cell phones, palm pilots, pagers and other communication devices will need to be checked in with the management on the first day. Checked items will be returned when the course is over.

It is advisable to bring a watch and/or a non-ticking alarm clock. You may want to bring a flashlight and a small umbrella. Bring walking shoes if you want to do any walking exercise during the course.

Arrival and Departure Times

Please arrive between 2:00 and 5:00 PM on the day the course begins. A light meal and orientation will follow after registration. If your arrival will be delayed past 6:00 PM on the day the course begins please contact both the Meditation Center at 1-972-932-7868 and the registrar at 1-214-521-5258 . If you have not arrived by 6:00 PM, and we haven't heard from you, we will assume you are not coming, and your seat may be given to another student.

The course will end at approximately 7:00 AM on the last day after breakfast and a short clean-up. All new students, as well as returning students taking a full course, are expected to remain until the very end of the course.

Cancellation Instructions

It takes a tremendous amount of planning and expense to organize each of our 10-day residential courses. The courses at Southwest Vipassana Meditation Center are usually between 30 and 100 students and are run strictly on a donation basis. These courses are the only events at the facility; so it is essential to know the exact number of participants for each course.

If for any reason you will not be able to attend, it is essential for you to cancel, even if it is the day of the course. You many cancel by sending an e-mail to registration@siri.dhamma.org, or by calling the Registrar at 1-214-521-5258.

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Please make sure you inform the Registrar of your plans, if your plans changes, if you miss a flight or find alternative transportation or are delayed in anyway. Please contact the Registrar at 1-214-521-5258 for all updates to your transportation information.

Please plan to arrive at the Center no later than 5pm on the day the course starts. The course ends at approximately 7:00 am on the last day, and is followed by breakfast and cleanup. All activities are generally complete by 8:00 am on the last day of the course.

• Arrivals by Airplane
• Arrivals by Bus
• Driving to the Center
• Students needing a ride to the Center

Arrivals by Airplane

Please try to arrange to arrive at the airport before or around 12:00 Noon on the day the course begins. Your departing flight should leave after 12:00 Noon on the last day of the course.

Tell us the following information about your flight into the Dallas area:

• Airline
• Flight Number
• Arrival From What City
• Arrival Time at Dallas/Fort Worth (D/FW) Airport or Dallas Love Field Airport

Once at the airport, you will need to take a taxi to the Center. The Center has contracted with a local taxi service. Please see the Students needing a ride to the Center section for information about the shared taxi service.

• To get to the shared taxi pickup point from D/FW airport:
  Take the Comfort Inn Airport South complimentary van at the D/FW Airport. Please tip the driver a small sum, as they are doing us a favor. You can call the Hotel from the airport courtesy phone "Comfort Inn Airport South" or from a cell or pay phone at 1-972-790-7979. You must tell them your TERMINAL AND GATE (there are 5 different terminals--A,B,C,D,E). You must go to the LOWER LEVEL and find the gray "Courtesy Van Pickup" sign. You will wait at the Comfort Inn until all of the students have arrived.

• Transportation from Dallas Love Field airport:
  You may take a shared taxi directly to the Meditation Center. The shared taxi may first stop at the Comfort Inn and then Love field. Contact Cathy LaBombard of Freedom Taxi at 1-214-244-5434 for transportation from Love Field to the Center.

Arrivals by Bus

There are several options to reach the center when traveling by bus.

• Go to Comfort Inn Airport South and catch the shared taxi
  
  Please see Students needing a ride to the Center section for information about the shared taxi service.
  
  To get to the shared taxi pickup point from Greyhound Bus Station in downtown Dallas
  Dallas Area Rapid Transit (www.DART.org) 1-214-979-1111 has a local bus that will take you from Downtown to the D/FW Airport (Terminal A or E). From the Bus Station at Lamar & Commerce, you will walk 3 blocks North to Lamar and North Pacific (DART West Transfer Center). BUS #202 D/FW will pick up at curbside D,E,F on Griffith Street. Buses run once an hour. Once at D/FW Airport Terminal A or E, take the Comfort Inn Airport South courtesy van to the Comfort Inn (see D/FW Airport instructions above) .

• Taxi from Greyhound Bus Station in downtown Dallas to the Center
  Contact Cathy LaBombard of Freedom Taxi at 1-214-244-5434 for transportation to the Meditation Center at the meter rate (approximately $110).

• KART Service from Terrell Greyhound Bus Station to the Center
  Take the Greyhound bus into the city of Terrell. Contact the KART service 24 hours in advance at 1-972-563-5875 between the hours of 8am and 4pm CST to make a reservation on a KART bus from the bus station to the Meditation Center. The rate is approximately $10. You will need to provide the address of the Center when you book your reservation with KART: 10850 Country Road 155-A, Kaufman, Texas 75142.

Driving to the Center

For driving directions to and maps of the Center please refer to the The Center Directions.

Students needing a ride to the Center

If you need a ride to the Center, please visit our online Ride Share Board. If you are unable to arrange a ride through the Ride Share Board, you may take a taxi to the center.

The center has arranged with a local taxi service to make their services available to students. The taxi will hold approximately 5 persons, plus luggage. The cost of the taxi will be shared by the number of passengers (see rates below). If the taxi has 5 passengers each pays 1/5 of the fare, however if there are only 2 passengers then each pays 1/2 of the full fare.

You must let the Registrar know that you will be taking a shared taxi, to ensure the taxi service is notified that you need a ride.

All students needing a ride from airports or other locations in the area, please go the Comfort Inn Airport South by approximately 12:00 noon to wait for the shared taxi.

• The Comfort Inn Airport South
  Located at the intersection of Highway 183 and Valley View
  4940 W. Airport Freeway, Irving, Texas 75062
  1-972-790-7979

• Taxi Rates to Dhamma Siri
  
  

  From	Rate (for one)*
  Comfort Inn Airport South	$120
  D/FW Airport	$125
  Comfort Inn via Love Field	$140
  Dallas Love Field Airport	$90

  
  * $2 per additional person (tip is included)

• IF YOU MISS THE SHARED TAXI OR NEED PRIVATE TRANSPORTATION
  If your flights are delayed or you miss the shared taxi, you can call Cathy LaBombard of Freedom Taxi at 1-214-244-5434 to arrange a ride to the Center at the regular taxi rate. Please also inform the Registrar at 1-214-521-5258 and the Center at 1-972-932-7868.

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