• 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 1-972-962-8858.

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 1-972-962-8858.

• 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 1-972-962-8858.

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 1-972-962-8858 . 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 1-972-962-8858.

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Please make sure you inform the Registrar of your travel plans, if your plans changes, if you miss a flight or find alternative transportation or are delayed in anyway. Please contact the Registrar at registration@siri.dhamma.org or 1-972-962-8858 for all updates to your transportation information.

Plan to arrive at the Center no later than 5:00 PM 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.

• Ride Share Board
• Arrivals by Airplane
• Airport Shuttle
• Arrivals by Bus / Rail
• Driving to the Center

Ride Share Board

If you need a ride to the Center, from another city or from the local area, please visit our online Ride Share Board. This volunteer run board may help you find a ride to the center with another student.

Arrivals by Airplane

Please try to arrive 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, to allow time to get to the airport.

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

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

The Center may arrange for a shuttle, if enough students need rides. You can take this shuttle or make your own arrangements. YOU MUST INFORM REGISTRATION IF YOU NEED THE SHUTTLE; it is not available for every course. If you miss this shuttle, or do not inform registration that you need the shuttle, you will need to make your own arrangements to get to the center. Please see the Airport Shuttle section for information about the shuttle.

There are numerous other taxi and shuttle service from both airports. SuperShuttle offers competitive rates. Visit www.supershuttle.com* to request a quote and make reservations.

Airport Shuttle

The Center may arrange for a shuttle, if enough students need rides. YOU MUST INFORM REGISTRATION IF YOU NEED THE SHUTTLE; it may not available for every course. If you miss this shuttle, or do not inform registration that you need the shuttle, you will need to make your own arrangements to get to the center.

The Center will make the reservation and coordinate with the Super Shuttle. There may be one or more shuttles, depending upon students' arrival time. The van can accommodate a maximum of ten passengers for $170 plus tip. The cost of the van is shared equally by the students on board. The cost will be less for seven or less passengers, and in this case the shuttle may make other stops. The final departure time(s) will be scheduled after we have travel details from students requesting a ride.

Registration will give you specific instructions via email for the schedule and location of the airport shuttles when you confirm your attendance with your travel details.

IF YOU MISS THE SHUTTLE

If you miss the Super Shuttle, you can call Super Shuttle Van service at 1-972-615-3005 to make a reservation. You will pay full fare, and will share the van with other passengers going to various destinations. Be sure to also call the center at 1-972-962-8858, to inform the center you have missed the shuttle and will be arriving later.

Arrivals by Bus / Rail

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

• From Downtown Dallas Bus/Rail Stations:
  
  The Greyhound and Amtrack stations are located in downtown Dallas. There are a couple of options for traveling from downtown Dallas to the center.

  • Go to airport and take the airport shuttle
    
    You can take the Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) light rail and bus services to get from the bus / rail stations to the airports to catch the shuttle. Go to www.Dart.org* or call 1-214-979-1111 for routes and schedules. Remember: You MUST INFORM REGISTRATION if you plan to take the shuttle. Please see the Airport Shuttle section for information about the shuttle.

  • Take a taxi
    
    There are many taxi services in Dallas. Cathy LaBombard of Freedom Taxi at 1-214-244-5434 has served the center for several years, and can provide taxi service at the meter rate (approximately $110).

• From Terrell Greyhound Bus Station:
  
  If you take Greyhound to Terrell (approximately 20 miles from the Center), you can take the KART (Kaufman Area Rural Transit) Bus. 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 8:00 AM and 4:00 PM 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 155A, Kaufman, Texas 75142.

Driving to the Center

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

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