Non-Center Course at Occidental, CA in December
This page gives a brief overview of the facilities of the non-center 10-day course at a rented retreat center in Occidental, CA this December.
Please note that this course does not have comparable facilities to the established centers in our tradition, such as:
Logistically, there are several factors to be aware of for the new/old students before attending this course.
Covid-19 Protocols
Please review the Covid Protocols’ requirements and recommendations before applying for the course.
What to Bring
Bedding:
- 2 sheets, pillowcase, and a pillow, sleeping bag and /or sheets & blankets.
Meditation gear:
- A shawl to cover yourself during meditation.
- Bottom mat and one cushion will be provided. If you have a meditation cushion OR any other cushion(s) that you can sit on, please bring them to the course. All old students and servers are requested to bring their meditation cushions if they have them.
Clothing:
- Bring enough comfortable, warm loose-fitting clothing for 10 days as only washing facilities are limited to hand-washing in basins.
- BE PREPARED FOR RAIN AND COLD WEATHER.
- Jackets, sweaters or shawl, hats, gloves etc.
- Umbrella / Raincoat
- Waterproof Shoes
- Alarm Clock (NO CELLPHONES ALLOWED during the course)
- Flashlight
Toiletries:
- Shower slip-ons, towel, soap, shampoo, toothpaste, deodorant, shaving and sanitary supplies etc.
- Please do not bring perfumes or scented creams/lotions etc. as these can disturb others during meditation.
Other
- Two (2) COVID-19 / Flu A&B 3-in-1 test
- A few N95 masks
- Ear plugs
- Eye masks
Please note:
If desired, valuables may be checked-in for safe keeping during the course.
Students are asked NOT TO BRING the following:
- Do not bring any personal food items
- Please do not bring reading materials or journals to write in during the course.
- All students should observe the rules for modest dress as outlined in the “Code of Discipline” booklet. Shorts, sleeveless or low-cut tops, tank tops, transparent, tight or revealing clothing, etc. are not permitted. Tights or leggings should be worn only under a knee-length top or skirt.
Address and Directions
Address
CYO Camp – 2136 Bohemian Highway, Occidental, CA. 95465 Do not search for “Vipassana” on Google Maps, as it may lead you to a different Vipassana center which is nearby.Rideshare Board
If you need a ride or can offer a ride, you can sign up on the rideboard link given in your acceptance email. Any questions regarding the rideshare process can be directed to: [email protected]Public Transportation
If you are flying in for the course, Sonoma County airport is the closest (~17 miles). San Francisco airport (~75-85 miles) and Oakland airport (~80-90 miles) are also okay. Avoid San Jose airport (~105-120 miles). There is no direct public transportation from San Francisco/Oakland airports or the Bay Area that comes all the way to Occidental. Please use Google Maps to assess different options that may work for you better. Options listed below first bring you to Santa Rosa.From Santa Rosa to Occidental
- Take a cab — this is by far the easiest way to reach Occidental from anywhere in Santa Rosa. Santa Rosa Transit Mall and Sonoma County Airport are about ~30 mins to CYO Camp by cab.
- The Mendocino Transit Authority runs limited buses — please check the website for latest updates. From Sonoma County Airport, on route #95 Northbound bus, the driver can be asked to make a stop at Freestone and it is 2 miles from CYO Camp. This bus only runs once a day (Mon thru Sat).
- Please call the registration team at (669) 280-0442 to arrange pickup from Freestone bus stop.
From San Francisco city to Santa Rosa
The Golden Gate Highway and Transportation District operates buses from San Francisco city to Santa Rosa. Please visit the website for the latest information. There are two options which can take ~2hrs: Northbound #101 Regional Bus and Northbound #172 Commuter Bus to get off at Santa Rosa Transit Mall bus stop, and take a cab to CYO Camp.From SFO Airport or Oakland Airport to Santa Rosa
Here are the options:- Try to find a ride directly from the airport on the rideshare board.
- Take public transportation into San Francisco City and then take a bus to Santa Rosa (see above instructions).
- Groome Transportation offers shuttles from SFO and OAK airports to Santa Rosa. Please visit the website for schedule, timing, and fares.
- From Santa Rosa Park & Ride shuttle stop, take a cab to the CYO Camp. Alternatively, you can also try to find a ride on the rideshare board from the stop in Santa Rosa — it is on the way for almost anyone driving to CYO from the Bay Area.
Reminder: Health and Liability Waiver Forms
Upon your arrival on Day 0, you will be required to read and sign this Health Wavier form and Waiver of Liability before starting the course. This document was sent for your review in the application receipt letter you received when you applied for the course.
Please do *not* send us the signed document ahead of time.
Weather
The weather is cold and heavy rains are generally expected at the end of December, around the time when the course is held. The pathways are mixed dirt and gravel and become somewhat muddy in rainy conditions. Please bring rain boots, an umbrella, raincoats, a flashlight, a thermos for warm water, and warm clothes to be prepared.
Given that El Niño is strong this year, expect significantly more rainfall than usual.
Course capacity
About 270 students and servers will be sitting in close proximity together during the required group sessions in the meditation hall, and in the dining hall during mealtimes.
Please see the images below for a visual idea of the conditions:
The Meditation Hall and men’s and women’s dining halls are all in one large common multipurpose room. The kitchen is in a separate room off this large room, in the same building, directly leading into the dining areas.
The dining areas and meditation areas are separated by partitions and curtains. This may cause sound to drift into the meditation area.
The Hall from outside:
Some images of the seating and dining areas are shown below:
Accommodation
- ** Single rooms are not available at this course **
As this is an off-center course, housing options are limited. Everyone has to share a cabin with 11 other people. (Please apply to an established center in our tradition if you require single room accommodation or if you would not be comfortable in a 12-person cabin sleeping in a bunk bed.) Each of the cabins has six pairs of bunk beds as shown in the image below. Younger students without mobility challenges are assigned to the upper bunk beds. The bathrooms and toilet block are not attached to the cabins and require that you walk outside to reach them.
We are unable to accommodate students and servers with CPAP machines due to the limitations of the residences.
The rooms are decent in size with bunk beds as shown in the image below.
Language restrictions
Course instructions are provided in English only, other languages are not available.
Interpreters or phones along with hearing enhanced aids (which are available at established centers) are also not available.
Local Contacts requirements
You will be asked to provide the name and phone number of a local emergency contact within 4 hours driving distance of Occidental, CA. Students applying from other states and countries should take note of this requirement.
Long walks to accommodation
The cabins are located on the slope of a hill, at a 10 minute walking distance from the Meditation and Dining Halls.
