in the tradition of Sayagyi U Ba Khin
Course Schedule
Centre Location: Website | Map
** Unless noted otherwise, course instructions are given in the following language(s): English
Dhamma Karuṇā means "Compassion of Dhamma" in Pali. The centre is located on 8.5 acres on the outskirts of Youngstown, Alberta – a small farming village in the Canadian Badlands. This area is noted for its wildlife including waterfowl, deer, antelope and moose. It is also famous for some of the most important fossil deposits in the world, including the Bearpaw Shale. Youngstown is three to five hours by car from four major cities: Edmonton and Calgary in Alberta, and Regina and Saskatoon in the neighboring province of Saskatchewan.
How to Apply to Attend or Serve a Course
- 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.
Alberta Vipassana Meditation Centre Dhamma Karuṇā Tel: [1](403) 282-3413 Fax: [1](877) 230-9484 Email: [email protected] | Mailing address: Alberta Vipassana FoundationPO Box 84124 Market Mall Calgary, AB, T3A 5C4 |
Covid-19 protocols have changed as of Nov. 13, 2022:
- Proof of vaccination will no longer be required.
- Please bring 6 masks and a box of Rapid Antigen Tests. KN95, KF04, or N95 masks are recommended.
- Everyone (students and servers) will do a Rapid Antigen Test before leaving home and come only if the test is negative. There will be more testing during the course. Anyone testing positive or having Covid-like symptoms will leave the centre immediately.
- Masking and safe distancing are required in public indoor spaces. Masks may be removed while eating in the dining hall and once you’re on your seat in the meditation hall. KN95, KF94, or N95 masks are recommended.
- Ride-sharing will not be available. In case of emergency, everyone must have a workable exit plan (these arrangements should be made before arriving at the centre) or be prepared to rent a room at the local motel. This includes, especially, out-of-province students who must arrange their own transportation to and from the centre.
- Servers: if you are serving the course and do not have a ride, please let us know; it may be possible to arrange transportation. Contact: [email protected] (NOTE: Volunteer drivers are needed.)
- If the course needs to be cancelled for any reason, we will provide 5 days’ notice before the course start day.
- Please consider applying later if you have any conditions that put you at greater risk of serious illness from COVID-19
Please note that the above guidelines may change at any time due to the evolving pandemic situation.
See Comments for any special instructions for events in this section.
- Courses open for applications at approximately 8:00 AM Mountain Time (MT) . If you do not see the 'Apply' Link at 8:00 am, close your browser and re-open the page.
- Courses may be cancelled with limited notice should the Governament of Alberta public health measures require cancellation or if within 5 days before start of a course, a sufficient number of servers or Assistant teachers are unavailable to support the course.
- All ten-day courses begin on the evening of the first day, continue for ten full days and end on the early morning of the last day.
- During the registration process, you will be receiving a number of e-mails from us. If you don't receive these emails, please check your Spam/Junk Mail box.
| Attend / Serve | Dates | Course Type | Status | Location | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apply | 27 Nov - 21 Dec | Service Period - Part Time Welcome | In Progress | Youngstown |
For old students To reduce the time spent on cooking, servers are asked to bring some eggless vegetarian meals. |
| Apply | 21 December, 2022 - 01 January, 2023 | 10-Day | Women - Closed Men - Closed Female Server - Open Male Server - Wait List | Youngstown |
Servers are asked to arrive a day before the start of the course on 20th Dec 2022 Please see top of the page for COVID protocols being implemented. |
| Attend / Serve | Dates | Course Type | Status | Location | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apply | 01 Jan - 11 Jan | Service Period - Part Time Welcome | Servers - Open | Youngstown |
For old students To reduce the time spent on cooking, servers are asked to bring some eggless vegetarian meals. |
| Apply | 11 Jan - 22 Jan | 10-Day | New Women - Wait List Old Women - Open Men - Wait List Servers - Open | Youngstown |
Servers are asked to arrive on Jan 10/2022 Please see top of the page for COVID protocols being implemented. |
| Apply | 22 Jan - 25 Jan | Service Period - Part Time Welcome | Servers - Open | Youngstown |
For old students To reduce the time spent on cooking, servers are asked to bring some eggless vegetarian meals. |
| Apply | 25 Jan - 05 Feb | 10-Day | Open | Youngstown |
Servers are asked to arrive on 24th Jan 2022 if possible. Please see top of the page for COVID protocols being implemented. |
| 05 Feb - 15 Feb | Service Period - Part Time Welcome | Applications accepted starting 07 Dec | Youngstown |
For old students To reduce the time spent on cooking, servers are asked to bring some eggless vegetarian meals. |
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| 15 Feb - 26 Feb | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting 17 Dec | Youngstown |
Servers are asked to arrive a day before the start of the course (Day -1) Please see top of the page for COVID protocols being implemented. |
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| 26 Feb - 15 Mar | Service Period - Part Time Welcome | Applications accepted starting 28 Dec | Youngstown |
For old students To reduce the time spent on cooking, servers are asked to bring some eggless vegetarian meals. |
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| 15 Mar - 26 Mar | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting 14 Jan | Youngstown |
Servers are asked to arrive a day before the start of the course (Day -1) Please see top of the page for COVID protocols being implemented. |
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| 26 Mar - 05 Apr | Service Period - Part Time Welcome | Applications accepted starting 25 Jan | Youngstown |
For old students To reduce the time spent on cooking, servers are asked to bring some eggless vegetarian meals. |
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| 05 Apr - 16 Apr | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting 04 Feb | Youngstown |
Servers are asked to arrive a day before the start of the course (Day -1) Please see top of the page for COVID protocols being implemented. |
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| 16 Apr - 26 Apr | Service Period - Part Time Welcome | Applications accepted starting 15 Feb | Youngstown |
For old students To reduce the time spent on cooking, servers are asked to bring some eggless vegetarian meals. |
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| 26 Apr - 07 May | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting 25 Feb | Youngstown |
Servers are asked to arrive a day before the start of the course (Day -1) Please see top of the page for COVID protocols being implemented. |
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| 07 May - 17 May | Service Period - Part Time Welcome | Applications accepted starting 08 Mar | Youngstown |
For old students To reduce the time spent on cooking, servers are asked to bring some eggless vegetarian meals. |
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| 17 May - 28 May | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting 18 Mar | Youngstown |
Servers are asked to arrive a day before the start of the course (Day -1) Please see top of the page for COVID protocols being implemented. |
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| 28 May - 07 Jun | Service Period - Part Time Welcome | Applications accepted starting 29 Mar | Youngstown |
For old students To reduce the time spent on cooking, servers are asked to bring some eggless vegetarian meals. |
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| 07 Jun - 18 Jun | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting 08 Apr | Youngstown |
Servers are asked to arrive a day before the start of the course (Day -1) Please see top of the page for COVID protocols being implemented. |
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| 18 Jun - 28 Jun | Service Period - Part Time Welcome | Applications accepted starting 19 Apr | Youngstown |
For old students To reduce the time spent on cooking, servers are asked to bring some eggless vegetarian meals. |
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| 28 Jun - 09 Jul | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting 29 Apr | Youngstown |
Servers are asked to arrive a day before the start of the course (Day -1) Please see top of the page for COVID protocols being implemented. |
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| 09 Jul - 19 Jul | Service Period - Part Time Welcome | Applications accepted starting 10 May | Youngstown |
For old students To reduce the time spent on cooking, servers are asked to bring some eggless vegetarian meals. |
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| 19 Jul - 23 Jul | 3-Day | Applications accepted starting 20 May | Youngstown |
For old students |
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| 23 Jul - 02 Aug | Service Period - Part Time Welcome | Applications accepted starting 24 May | Youngstown |
For old students To reduce the time spent on cooking, servers are asked to bring some eggless vegetarian meals. |
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| 02 Aug - 13 Aug | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting 03 Jun | Youngstown |
Servers are asked to arrive a day before the start of the course (Day -1) Please see top of the page for COVID protocols being implemented. |
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| 13 Aug - 16 Aug | Service Period - Part Time Welcome | Applications accepted starting 14 Jun | Youngstown |
For old students To reduce the time spent on cooking, servers are asked to bring some eggless vegetarian meals. |
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| 16 Aug - 27 Aug | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting 17 Jun | Youngstown |
Servers are asked to arrive a day before the start of the course (Day -1) Please see top of the page for COVID protocols being implemented. |
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| 27 Aug - 30 Aug | Service Period - Part Time Welcome | Applications accepted starting 28 Jun | Youngstown |
For old students To reduce the time spent on cooking, servers are asked to bring some eggless vegetarian meals. |
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| 30 Aug - 10 Sep | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting 01 Jul | Youngstown |
Servers are asked to arrive a day before the start of the course (Day -1) Please see top of the page for COVID protocols being implemented. |
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| 10 Sep - 20 Sep | Service Period - Part Time Welcome | Applications accepted starting 12 Jul | Youngstown |
For old students To reduce the time spent on cooking, servers are asked to bring some eggless vegetarian meals. |
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| 20 Sep - 01 Oct | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting 22 Jul | Youngstown |
Servers are asked to arrive a day before the start of the course (Day -1) Please see top of the page for COVID protocols being implemented. |
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| 01 Oct - 04 Oct | Service Period - Part Time Welcome | Applications accepted starting 02 Aug | Youngstown |
For old students To reduce the time spent on cooking, servers are asked to bring some eggless vegetarian meals. |
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| 04 Oct - 15 Oct | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting 05 Aug | Youngstown |
Servers are asked to arrive a day before the start of the course (Day -1) Please see top of the page for COVID protocols being implemented. |
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| 15 Oct - 18 Oct | Service Period - Part Time Welcome | Applications accepted starting 16 Aug | Youngstown |
For old students To reduce the time spent on cooking, servers are asked to bring some eggless vegetarian meals. |
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| 18 Oct - 29 Oct | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting 19 Aug | Youngstown |
Servers are asked to arrive a day before the start of the course (Day -1) Please see top of the page for COVID protocols being implemented. |
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| 29 Oct - 08 Nov | Service Period - Part Time Welcome | Applications accepted starting 30 Aug | Youngstown |
For old students To reduce the time spent on cooking, servers are asked to bring some eggless vegetarian meals. |
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| 08 Nov - 19 Nov | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting 09 Sep | Youngstown |
Servers are asked to arrive a day before the start of the course (Day -1) Please see top of the page for COVID protocols being implemented. |
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| 19 Nov - 24 Nov | Service Period - Part Time Welcome | Applications accepted starting 20 Sep | Youngstown |
For old students To reduce the time spent on cooking, servers are asked to bring some eggless vegetarian meals. |
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| 24 Nov - 03 Dec | Satipatthana Sutta | Applications accepted starting 25 Sep | Youngstown |
Note: New Dates!For old students
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| 03 Dec - 06 Dec | Service Period - Part Time Welcome | Applications accepted starting 04 Oct | Youngstown |
For old students To reduce the time spent on cooking, servers are asked to bring some eggless vegetarian meals. |
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| 06 Dec - 17 Dec | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting 07 Oct | Youngstown |
Servers are asked to arrive a day before the start of the course (Day -1) Please see top of the page for COVID protocols being implemented. |
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| 17 Dec - 20 Dec | Service Period - Part Time Welcome | Applications accepted starting 18 Oct | Youngstown |
For old students To reduce the time spent on cooking, servers are asked to bring some eggless vegetarian meals. |
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| 20 Dec - 31 Dec | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting 21 Oct | Youngstown |
Servers are asked to arrive a day before the start of the course (Day -1) Please see top of the page for COVID protocols being implemented. |
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://karuna.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.
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.
Work Periods have been set aside to work on a variety of Centre maintenance, construction, household and gardening projects. All Old Students are welcome to participate. 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.
