Emancipating Hearts and Minds Registration

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Name(Required)

First Last

Email(Required)

Enter Email Confirm Email

Phone(Required)

Emergency Contact Information #1:

Emergency Name #1(Required)

Relationship(Required)

Emergency Phone #1(Required)

Phone

Emergency Email #1(Required)

Emergency Contact Information #2

Emergency Name #2(Required)

Relationship(Required)

Emergency Phone #2

Phone

Emergency Email #2(Required)

Date of Birth

Medical History:

Do you have any medical conditions or allergies we should be aware of? If yes, please specify.(Required)

Please list any medications you are currently taking (prescription and non-prescription).(Required)

Do you anticipate needing mental health support during this retreat? If so, please specify. *(Required)

Do you have any physical limitations you would like to share (i.e. mobility, hearing, needed accommodations)? If so, please specify.(Required)

Do you confirm that you have disclosed all relevant medical conditions and medications and authorize Sangha House NOLA and its representatives to seek emergency medical treatment on your behalf if necessary and agree to bear any associated costs?(Required)

Yes, I confirm that I have disclosed all relevant medical conditions and medications and I authorize Sangha House NOLA and its representatives to seek emergency medical treatment on my behalf if necessary and I agree to bear any associated costs.

Introduction to the Technique(Required)

Vipassana is one of India's most ancient meditation techniques. It was rediscovered by Gotama the Buddha more than 2500 years ago. The word Vipassana means seeing things as they really are. With a sharpened awareness one proceeds to observe the changing nature of body and mind and experiences the universal truths of impermanence, suffering and egolessness. The entire path (Dhamma) is a universal remedy for universal problems. For this reason, it can be freely practiced by everyone, at any time, in any place, without conflict due to race, community or religion, and will prove equally beneficial to one and all.

What Vipassana is not:

It is not a rite or ritual based on blind faith. It is neither an intellectual nor a philosophical entertainment. It is not a rest cure, a holiday, or an opportunity for socializing. It is not an escape from the trials and tribulations of everyday life.

What Vipassana is:

Vipassana meditation aims at the highest spiritual goals of total liberation and full enlightenment. Vipassana eliminates the three causes of all unhappiness: craving, aversion and ignorance. With continued practice, the meditation releases the tensions developed in everyday life, opening the knots tied by the old habit of reacting in an unbalanced way to pleasant and unpleasant situations.

Do you have any experience with Vipassana or any other meditation practice? If so, please specify.

Meditation and Self-Discipline(Required)

The journey of self-introspection is never easy. It requires diligence and effort, as personal realizations can only come through your own sincere work—no one else can do this for you. This meditation practice is best suited for those ready to make a serious commitment to the process and to follow the discipline, which exists to support and protect all participants. Self-discipline creates an atmosphere conducive to meditation, while a lack of mindfulness can disrupt the collective energy and hinder progress.

Important Information for Participants Participation in this course requires a firm commitment to remain for its entire duration. Before registering, please carefully review the Introduction to the Technique and Code of Discipline to understand what will be expected during the course.

This program is designed for those who feel ready to embrace the challenge with sincerity and determination. The structure and practices may be demanding, so we encourage you to reflect on your readiness before registering. Leaving the course early or struggling to follow the guidelines may not only affect your progress but also impact the experience of others.

While support will be available throughout, this opportunity requires a wholehearted commitment. If you feel this aligns with your current capacity and intentions, we warmly welcome you to register.

Do you feel that your intentions and capacity align with the expectations of this retreat?

Considerations for Mental Health(Required)

Individuals facing significant mental health challenges have occasionally attended Vipassana courses with the expectation that the practice will resolve or alleviate their conditions. However, the intensive nature of the course, combined with the need for sustained focus and self-discipline, can present difficulties for those navigating complex mental health experiences. As a non-professional, volunteer-based organization, we are not equipped to provide the specialized care that such circumstances may require. While Vipassana meditation offers profound benefits for many, it is not a replacement for medical or psychiatric treatment. For these reasons, we advise those with serious psychiatric conditions to prioritize professional care and ensure they are in a stable position before considering this practice.

Do you feel that your intentions and capacity align with the expectations of this retreat?

Yes, my intentions and capacity align with the expectations of this retreat.

The Code of Discipline

The foundation of the practice is sīla — moral conduct. Sīla provides a basis for the development of samādhi — concentration of mind; and clarity of the mind is achieved through paññā — the wisdom of insight.

The Precepts

All who attend a Vipassana course must conscientiously undertake the following five precepts for the duration of the course:

To abstain from killing any being;
To abstain from stealing;
To abstain from all sexual activity;
To abstain from telling lies;
To abstain from all intoxicants (including plant medicine).

Acceptance of the Technique and Guidance of the Abbess

Participants are expected to approach the course with a willingness to fully embrace the guidance and instructions provided by Venerable Dayananda throughout its duration. This includes observing the discipline and practicing the meditation exactly as instructed, without altering or omitting any part of the technique.

This acceptance should arise from thoughtful consideration and understanding, not from blind adherence. Trust in the facilitator and the technique is essential for cultivating the diligence and commitment needed for meaningful progress in meditation. With this foundation of trust and effort, participants can work thoroughly and sincerely toward the benefits of the practice.

Respecting the Practice During the Course

To fully experience the benefits of Vipassana meditation, it is essential to set aside all other practices, rituals, or spiritual activities during the course. This includes prayer, worship, fasting, burning incense, reciting mantras, singing, dancing, or engaging in other meditation or healing techniques. This pause is not a critique of other practices but an opportunity to give Vipassana a fair and undiluted trial in its original form.

Participants are encouraged to avoid combining Vipassana with other techniques, as doing so may hinder progress and lead to confusion. Instances in the past have shown that intentionally blending Vipassana with other practices has negatively impacted individuals’ meditation journeys. If questions or uncertainties arise, participants are strongly encouraged to seek guidance from Venerable Dayananda to gain clarity and maintain focus on the practice.

Interviews & Questions with the Teacher

Venerable Dayananda will be available for private meetings between 2:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. Participants will be able to speak with Venerable for up to 5 minutes. Questions may also be asked publicly in the meditation hall between 8:15 p.m. and 9:00 p.m.

These times are specifically reserved for thoughtful and focused questions to help clarify the technique or address points from the evening discourses. They are not intended for casual conversations or general discussions. Before requesting time with Venerable Dayananda or asking a question publicly, please reflect on whether it is necessary to your practice, as not all participants will require this time.

Noble Silence

All students must observe Noble Silence from the beginning of the course until the morning of the last full day. Noble Silence means silence of body, speech, and mind. Any form of communication with fellow participants, whether by words, eye contact, gestures, sign language, written notes, etc., is prohibited.

Participants may approach the abbess with any serious problems related to food, accommodation, health, etc., but even these contacts should be kept to a minimum.

Physical Contact

It is important that throughout the course there be no physical contact whatsoever between any persons.

Yoga and Physical Exercise

Participants may engage in light exercise such as yoga and stretching during rest periods in the designated areas.

Food

It is not possible to satisfy the special food preferences and requirements of all participants. Participants will be provided with simple vegetarian meals. Dinner is typically liquid based and light snacks. Fasting is not permitted. Food & eating are only allowed in the designated space during meal times.

Clothing

Wear simple, modest, and comfortable attire, keeping the focus on practice rather than appearance.

Laundry

Participants should bring sufficient clothing. A communal laundry day will be held on June 14th from 12 pm. Please make sure your items are in the communal laundry hamper by 12 pm. They will be folded and left for you to collect in the laundry area.

Restroom & Shower Mindfulness Guidelines

Be Aware: With limited facilities (2 showers, 3 toilets, and 4 basins), please be mindful of everyone’s needs. Use restroom and shower time efficiently and considerately. Observe when facilities are available and step aside if someone appears to be waiting. Refrain from gestures and direct eye contact and maintain noble silence.

Mindful Practice: Treat restroom use as part of your practice—stay present, move calmly, and use the time to cultivate awareness and compassion.

Shower Time: Limit showers to 3–5 minutes, especially during peak times.
Times available for showers are as follows:

Morning Showers - After you are finished eating your breakfast if you are not on clean up.
Afternoon Showers - During rest time (12:30-2:00 PM).
Evening Showers - After broth and beverage (5:00-6:00 PM), before evening practice.
Night Showers - During bed preparation (9:00-10:00 PM)

Toilet Use: Plan restroom breaks during transition periods (e.g., before meditation sessions, during rest time, or before bed) to avoid disruptions.

Outside Contacts

Participants must remain within the course boundaries throughout the course. No outside communications are allowed before the course ends. Cell phones, smart watches, and other electronic devices must be deposited with the abbess until the course ends. In case of an emergency, a friend or relative may text the abbess at (828) 301-5049.

Reading and Writing

No reading or writing materials should be brought to the course. Participants should not distract themselves by taking notes. The restriction on reading and writing is to emphasize the strictly practical nature of this meditation.

Course Finances

Sangha House offerings are run solely on a donation basis. Donations will be accepted on the last day of the retreat. Wishing to share these benefits with others, one gives a donation according to one's means and volition. There is no wealthy foundation or individual sponsoring this event. Neither Venerable Dayananda nor the organizers and volunteers receive any kind of payment for their service. Thus, this offering is carried out with purity of purpose.

Parking

Keeping our neighbors in mind, please carpool or arrange drop-off and pick-up as Sangha House NOLA does not have a parking lot.

Daily Schedule

The schedule for a 10-day meditation course is rigorous and structured to maximize focus and introspection. The day typically begins early and involves alternating periods of sitting meditation, walking meditation, rest, and instruction. The following timetable for the course has been designed to maintain the continuity of practice.

Schedule

4:00 AM: Wake-Up Bell
Start the day early with a morning wake-up call (optional shower time).
4:30 AM – 6:30 AM: Meditation
Meditate in the hall.
6:30 AM – 8:00 AM: Breakfast & Clean-up
Breakfast is served, followed by time for rest if you are not cleaning up (optional shower time).
8:00 AM – 11:00 AM: Meditation
Meditate in the hall.
11:00 AM – 12:30 PM: Lunch & Clean-up
Enjoy lunch, followed by rest if you are not cleaning up.
12:30 PM – 2:00 PM: Rest
Time for rest (optional shower time).
2:00 PM – 5:00 PM: Meditation or individual interviews with Venerable Dayananda.
Meditate in the hall.
5:00 PM – 6:00 PM: Broth & Beverage & Clean-up
Tea and light snacks are served (optional shower time).
6:00 PM – 7:00 PM: Meditation
Meditation in the hall.
7:00 PM – 8:15 PM: Dhamma Talk
Recorded discourse by S.N. Goenka, providing teachings and guidance.
8:15 PM – 9:00 PM: Meditation & Questions
Meditation & Questions
9:00 PM – 10:00 PM: Prepare for bed
Prepare for bed (optional shower time).
10:00 PM: Retire to your space - Lights out

Additional Notes

Please note that this retreat is gender inclusive and will involve shared spaces including sleeping arrangements. We encourage you to consider your comfort level with being in close proximity to other participants during your stay.

Guidelines/Schedule/Info(Required)

Declaration: Have you carefully read and fully understood the guidelines outlined in this registration form and all other information provided? By clicking "Yes" below, you acknowledge that you have reviewed, understood, and agree to abide by these guidelines and the accompanying information.

Yes

ASSUMPTION OF RISK(Required)

I am aware that participating in this event may involve physical activities such as work meditation. I also understand that this is a silent, intensive meditation retreat, and participants in such retreats may experience intense and unusual psychological, spiritual, and/or physical states of mind and body arising from the meditation and associated retreat activities. I am voluntarily participating in these activities with full knowledge of the risks involved and hereby agree to accept any and all risks of harm that may result from these activities.

If you agree, please sign below with your digital signature (first and last name typed).

KNOWING AND VOLUNTARY EXECUTION(Required)

I have carefully read this agreement and fully understand its contents. I am aware that this is a release of liability and a contract between myself and Traveling Nunk, Sangha House NOLA, Venerable Clear Grace Dayananda, any residents, members , or participants thereof, property owners, and/or its affiliated organizations. I sign this agreement of my own free will.

If you agree, please sign below with your digital signature (first and last name typed).