Vipassana Meditation
The Bay Area Vipassana Center offers and supports group sittings and one-day courses for old students in Vipassana meditation as taught by S.N. Goenka, in the tradition of Sayagyi U Ba Khin.
2024 Non-Center Occidental 10-Day Course
Since 2005, ten years before the Bay Area Vipassana Trust was officially formed in 2015, old students in the Bay Area have organized a yearly 10-day course at a rented facility in Occidental, CA, about one hour driving distance north of San Francisco. This course has always been scheduled during the winter holidays when there is an increased demand to sit a course due to many having time away from their professional responsibilities. Typically, courses at the three other California centers have long waitlists during this time. The Occidental course provides an opportunity for those waitlisted at other centers to sit or serve a 10-day course they may otherwise not have been able to attend.
Please read this before applying.
Vipassana, which means to see things as they really are, is one of India’s most ancient techniques of meditation. It was rediscovered by Gotama Buddha more than 2500 years ago and was taught by him as a universal remedy for universal ills, i.e., an Art Of Living. This non-sectarian technique aims for the total eradication of mental impurities and the resultant highest happiness of full liberation.
Courses
There are three centers in California offering residential meditation courses:
Additionally, there are over 175 meditation centers in this tradition located around the world. For details visit:
Events & Sittings
Group sittings, one day courses, special events and board (trust) meetings take place in the bay area regularly. They are open to all old students.
Find out about the prerequisites and how to apply for a Vipassana course in The Bay Area
Introductory Videos
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Meditator Experiences
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Dāna – The Parami of Generosity
Your volition to help will accelerate the growth of Dhamma in the Bay Area.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, all students receive thorough instruction. Each course is conducted under the guidance of a qualified teacher, and each day’s progress is explained during a taped evening discourse by S.N. Goenka. No previous meditation experience is necessary.
Even in the quiet atmosphere of a retreat, a new student requires more than a week to quiet and concentrate the mind. Ten days of sustained practice have proven to be the minimum time needed to learn the essentials of Vipassana meditation.
All participants take a vow of silence lasting until the morning of the final full day of the course. Students may speak with the teacher of the course management, but not with other meditators. By minimizing distractions and maintaining a calm, quiet atmosphere, students can perform the delicate task of introspection.
In the technique of Vipassana meditation one begins by observing the natural breath to concentrate the mind. With a sharpened awareness, one proceeds to observe the changing nature of body and mind which manifests as sensations. By learning to observe these bodily sensations with detachment, the meditator unties knots of tension created by the old habit of reacting in an unbalanced way to both pleasant and unpleasant situations.
All courses are run solely on a donation basis. Expenses are met by donations from people who have taken a course and wish to give others the opportunity to benefit from Vipassana. By this practice, students develop the virtue of generosity.
