Vipassana, which means to see things as they really are, is one of India's most ancient techniques of meditation. It was taught in India more than 2500 years ago as a universal remedy for universal ills, i.e., an Art of Living.
The technique of Vipassana Meditation is taught at ten-day residential courses during which participants learn the basics of the method, and practice sufficiently to experience its beneficial results. There are no charges for the courses - not even to cover the cost of food and accommodation. All expenses are met by donations from people who, having completed a course and experienced the benefits of Vipassana, wish to give others the opportunity to also benefit.
Men and women have segregated accommodations with single, double and triple occupancy rooms. Both men's and women's areas have separate but shared bathroom facilities. We have only a limited number of single rooms. They cannot be be reserved and are assigned on the basis of medical or other needs, on the day that the course begins. Routine requests for single occupancy will be accommodated, after such needs are taken care of. We ask students to accept the accommodation that is available. Please note that rooms are assigned independently of arrival time and there is no need to arrive earlier than the recommended arrival time. If your request for a single room is related to a medical condition or other concerns such as insomnia or restlessness etc., please inform us. We have two tent sites each for men and women who have previously sat Vipassana courses. We also have tents available to borrow. Tent accomodation is available depending on the weather conditions and all requests for tent sites will be reviewed and must be approved by the Assistant Teacher conducting the course.
Meals The centre provides simple, wholesome, vegetarian meals, without subscribing to any particular food philosophy. Breakfast includes the following: Oatmeal Cooked prunes Fresh fruit (apples, oranges, bananas) Toast, rice cakes, and granola Tahini, peanut butter, and other condiments Coffee, tea, milk, soy milk, and rice milk For lunch, we provide various simple cooked vegetarian dishes including lots of steamed vegetables as well as a large green salad along with other raw vegetables. There may be sprouts on some days. If there is a main dish containing wheat (e.g. on Day 1 there is spaghetti), then there will also be brown rice for those who can't eat wheat. Brown rice is often the main carbohydrate at lunch. Most baked goods (e.g. cakes and cookies) contain wheat flour. We use soya sauce (or tamari). For your coffee and tea we provide regular milk, soy milk and rice milk as creamers. In the evening we provide fruits (apples, oranges, bananas) in addition to coffee, herbal and regular tea with dairy, soy & rice milk as creamers.
An Important Note Dhamma Surabhi is built for the sole purpose of teaching Vipassana meditation as taught by S.N. Goenka and his Assistant Teachers. No other techniques or disciplines are to be practiced at any time on the Centre land, and the Centre is not open for drop-ins. All visitors must get permission prior to visiting the Centre so as not to disturb an on-going course. If no course is in progress, please make sure that someone is available to show you around. If you wish to visit the Centre, please call 1.250.378.4506 in advance, to set up a time to meet with our Centre Manager and to tour the Centre. We thank you for your cooperation.