in the tradition of Sayagyi U Ba Khin
Course Schedule
Center Location: Website | Map
** Unless noted otherwise, course instructions are given in the following language(s): English
Surrounded by trees, grass and spring fed ponds, the center provides a supportive atmosphere where one can learn the practice of Vipassana meditation. This technique, discovered by Buddha twenty-five centuries ago, uses the breath and one's own body as the basis for developing concentration and insight. The courses provide a unique opportunity to direct one's attention inward, and set about a process of inner discovery through direct experience.
- Access the application form by clicking Apply for the desired course. Old students will be given the option to serve.
- Please carefully read the Introduction to the Technique and Code of Discipline which you will be asked to follow during your course.
- Fully and completely fill out all the sections of application form and submit it. An application is required to register for all courses.
- Await notification. All correspondence will be through e-mail if you give an e-mail address in your application. Due to the large volume of applications, it may take up to two weeks before receiving notification.
- If your application is accepted then we require you to confirm you will be attending in order to secure your place in the course.
Illinois Vipassana Meditation Center -- Dhamma Pakasa | General Course Registration |
- No Covid vaccination required
- No masking required
- No antigen or PCR test required
- Rideshare and public transportation allowed
Illness While At The Center: Unfortunately, we do not have the resources to accommodate course participants who arrive or become ill while at the Center. Participants with signs and symptoms of Covid-19 or other influenza-like symptoms (including stomach flu) will be asked to leave as soon as possible. Anyone who is unable to independently go home or to a safe destination, will need to ask their emergency contact for assistance. Please make arrangements for this possibility prior to the course.
Although the Center is taking precautions, there still remains the risk of exposure to COVID-19 or other contagious illness while at the Center. If you are at risk of serious illness from such exposures, it is advised that you not place yourself at risk by coming to the Center. |
Rideshare: Ride offers are on a volunteer basis and there is no guarantee that a ride will be available from your area. Alternate means of transportation should be considered well in advance. If you need a ride or if you're willing to give a ride to another student, we have course-specific Rideshare board. You will find the link to the Rideshare board for your course in the acceptance letter under the Directions and Transportation section.
If you have any questions, please contact us at: [email protected]
CHECK SPAM/JUNK MAIL or you may miss important email communications.
See Comments for any special instructions for events in this section.
See Comments for any special instructions for events in this section.
Attend / Serve | Dates | Course Type | Status | Location | Comments |
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Apply | Sep 13 - Sep 22 | Satipatthana Sutta | In Progress | Pecatonica |
For old students |
Apply | Sep 23 - Sep 25 | Service Period | Servers - Open | Pecatonica |
For old students |
Apply | Sep 25 - Oct 06 | 10-Day | Wait List | Pecatonica |
Servers Needed!!! |
Apply | Oct 07 - Oct 09 | Service Period | Servers - Open | Pecatonica |
For old students |
Apply | Oct 09 - Oct 20 | 10-Day | Women - Wait List Men - Wait List Servers - Open | Pecatonica | |
Apply | Oct 21 - Nov 01 |
Work Period |
Servers - Open | Pecatonica |
For old students |
Apply | Nov 01 - Nov 03 |
Old Student Program/Trust Weekend |
New Women - Closed Old Women - Open New Men - Closed Old Men - Open Female Server - Wait List Male Server - Open | Pecatonica |
For old students |
Nov 04 - Nov 06 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting Sep 20 | Pecatonica |
For old students |
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Apply | Nov 06 - Nov 17 | 10-Day | Women - Wait List Men - Wait List Servers - Open | Pecatonica | |
Nov 18 - Nov 20 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting Oct 04 | Pecatonica |
For old students |
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Nov 20 - Dec 01 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Sep 20 | Pecatonica | ||
Dec 02 - Dec 04 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting Oct 18 | Pecatonica |
For old students |
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Dec 04 - Dec 15 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Oct 04 | Pecatonica | ||
December 21, 2024 - January 01, 2025 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Oct 21 | Pecatonica |
All old students must register online to attend one day courses in Ravenswood - Chicago.
Information about additional one-day courses is (or may be) listed on the Old Student portal of Dhamma Pakasa website: https://pakasa.dhamma.org/
Attend / Serve | Dates | Course Type | Status | Location | Comments |
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Apply | Sep 22 | 1-Day | New Women - Closed Old Women - Open New Men - Closed Old Men - Open Servers - Open | Oswego, IL |
For old students |
Apply | Sep 29 | 1-Day | New Women - Closed Old Women - Open New Men - Closed Old Men - Open Servers - Open | Indianapolis |
For old students |
Nov 17 | 1-Day | Applications accepted starting Oct 03 | Naperville, IL |
For old students |
The online application form encrypts your information before it is sent from your computer to our application server. However, it may not be totally secure even though encryption is used. If you are concerned about the possibility of security risks of your confidential information while it is on the Internet, do not use this form and instead download an application. Print and complete it. Then please send the form to the course organizers. By faxing or posting your application form it may delay the registration process by one to two weeks.
To access the Old Student Regional Site please click http://pakasa.dhamma.org/os. A user name and password will be required to access these pages.
Questions may be addressed to Email: [email protected]
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. Neither the Teacher nor the assistant teachers receive remuneration; they and those who serve the courses volunteer their time. Thus Vipassana is offered free from commercialisation.
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 to provide Dhamma Service at the courses listed.
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.
Meditation courses are held at both center and non-center locations. Meditation centers are dedicated facilities where courses are held regularly throughout the year. Before meditation centers were established in this tradition, all courses were held at temporary sites, such as campgrounds, religious retreat centers, churches and the like. Today, in regions where centers have not yet been established by local students of Vipassana who live in the area, 10 Day meditation courses are held at non-center course sites.
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.
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.
Old Student Programs are similar to Service Periods where there is time to work on a variety of Centre maintenance, construction, household and gardening projects, but have a more full and structured program, an opportunity to meet with assistant teachers, and possibly committee and trust meetings. All Old Students are welcome to participate. The daily program will include three group sittings with morning and afternoon work periods and in the evening there will be tapes played of special discourses and talks that S.N. Goenka has given to Old Students.
Satipatthana Sutta Courses have the same timetable and discipline as 10-day courses. The difference is that in the taped evening discourses the Satipatthana Sutta is carefully examined. This is the principal text in which the technique of Vipassana is systematically explained. These courses are open to serious old students who have sat (not including courses served) at least three 10-day courses, have not been practising any other meditation techniques since last 10-day course, have been practising this technique of Vipassana for at least one year, and who are trying to maintain their meditation practice and the five precepts in their daily lives, at the very minimum from the time of applying to the course.
Service Periods have been set aside to work on a variety of Centre maintenance, construction, household and gardening projects. All Old Students are welcome to apply. The daily program will include three group sittings with morning and afternoon work periods. On selected evenings, there will be tapes played of special discourses and talks that S.N. Goenka has given to Old Students.