Other info

Do the parents/guardians of the students attending Children & Teens Anapana meditation courses have to be old students of Vipassana meditation courses?

No, all children and teenagers within the respective age groups able to understand and follow the Code of Behaviour as well as teaching instructions are welcome, no matter if their parents or guardians have or have not completed a 10-day Vipassana course with S. N. Goenka or his assistant teachers.

Are the parents/guardians required to give consent for my child/teenager to attend a course?

During the application process, the parents/guardians will be asked to complete a form giving their consent for their child/teenager to participate in a course.

Are there any requirements for attending the course?

The intent of the children/teenagers’ course is serious. It is not appropriate for those who are too young or otherwise unable to follow directions and participate in organised, self-modulating activities. Both the parents/guardians and the children/teenagers have to read and understand the Code of Behaviour and the sample timetable before applying for the course. It is essential for the children/teenagers to be able to understand the meaning or purpose of the Code of Behaviour and the timetable, and follow through.

Are parents or guardians required to accompany the children during the course?

It is not mandatory that a parent or guardian accompanies your child to attend the course. Parents or guardians who have completed a 10-day Vipassana course with S. N. Goenka or his assistant teachers are welcome to stay at the course site. Children/teenagers who are comfortable with staying away from their parents at the course site are encouraged to attend. We advise parents and accompanying adults to refrain from communicating with or contacting their children/teenagers throughout the course.

Parents or guardians who have not completed a 10-day Vipassana course with S. N. Goenka or his assistant teachers are welcome to stay with their children/teenagers during registration, but should leave the course site until the course is over.

Is it possible to organise Anapana meditation courses in other areas?

1-day courses can be organised at a suitable rented/borrowed site such as a school or a community centre.

A course venue should be quiet and away from any other activities, so there is minimum distraction to the students. There should be space inside for meditation, somewhere for the students to eat, and a space, either indoors or outdoors, for games, creative and physical activities.

Ideally, an organisation or group with a desire to organise a course will have an adult amongst them who has successfully completed a 10-day Vipassana course as taught by S. N. Goenka, but this is not essential. The Children’s Course Committee will be able to arrange teachers and necessary volunteers to run a course.

Following a course, it is beneficial for the group or organisation to give the students the opportunity to sit for 10 minutes as part of their daily schedule. Participation in this by the children should be voluntary.

In special cases, it may be possible to organise a 2-day residential course.

Should you want to explore the idea of organising a course, contact [email protected]