S.N. Goenka on courses for children
"The entire technique has only one goal: to live peacefully and harmoniously in accordance with the law of nature, without harming oneself or others. This art of living is more difficult to learn in old age, so it is good to start training at a young age. Children should learn the art of living a good and wholesome life. They have their whole lives ahead of them."
Introduction to Ānāpāna Meditation
Children naturally want to discover and learn new things. Today, their senses are often overloaded with countless impressions from the media and a hectic and complicated living environment. We want to give children the opportunity to focus their attention on themselves in the silence of meditation and discover their minds with all their hidden abilities and latent possibilities.
Ānāpāna meditation is a concentration and mindfulness exercise. It is a necessary preliminary exercise for Vipassana meditation, which is only offered to adults, but can also be practised independently. The object of meditation is the natural breath. The aim is to be aware of each breath as it enters and flows out again. Experience has shown that children aged 8 and above master this exercise with surprising ease. And they enjoy it, so many of them like to come back.
Back at home, children can continue to practise what they have learned in a way that suits their needs. It is often reported that the benefits for children are also reflected in their behaviour and attitude. Children themselves say that meditation helps them to concentrate and improve their memory. Meditation gives them a tool that helps them to better cope with fears, anger, stress and the pressures of growing up.
General
Courses for children and teenagers have been part of the regular course programme at Vipassana centres around the world for many years. At Dhamma Dvara, they currently take place four times a year.
The courses begin on the afternoon of the day of arrival and end on the morning of the day of departure. In between, there are either one or two full days. After arrival, the children first have the opportunity to get to know the other children and the supervisors over tea and biscuits. In the evening, there is an introductory talk explaining the special conditions and rules for staying at the centre and for the course. Afterwards, everyone goes to the meditation hall together to receive the first instructions for Anapana practice.
The following days begin at 7 a.m. with some early morning exercise or gymnastics. The guided 20-30 minute meditation sessions are spread throughout the day so that there is always time for playing, reading, creative work, movement games in the garden or resting. During the group meditation in the hall, complete silence is maintained and no talking is allowed. The day ends with a meditation at around 9 p.m.
Accommodation and supervision
The children sleep (separated by gender) in shared rooms with their peers. Parents who sign up for service during this time will be accommodated in other rooms. They have different meditation and meal times and work as helpers in the kitchen, house or garden during the course. The children are usually looked after in small groups by experienced meditators.
Please note that children should not be pressured to participate in such a course. Despite the child-friendly programme, the course is demanding and your child should therefore participate of their own free will. These courses are not suitable for children with serious mental disorders who require therapeutic support.
Costs and registration
Please note that children should not be pressured into participating in such a course. Despite the child-friendly programme, the course is demanding and your child should therefore participate of their own accord. These courses are not suitable for children with serious mental disorders who require therapeutic support.
All courses in this tradition are run exclusively on a donation basis and with the support of volunteers. There are no participation fees.
For better planning and timely processing, we ask that you register your child here at least 2 weeks before the course begins: Course Registration page
Parents or accompanying persons staying at the Dhamma Dvara Meditation Centre
All parents and accompanying persons who have completed at least one 10-day course with S.N. Goenka are welcome to stay and help at the centre. Please register online as a course helper.
If you have already participated in a 10-day Vipassana course with assistant teachers of S.N. Goenka, you are of course welcome to register for Dhamma service during the course and help out in the garden, house or kitchen as needed.
You can find the registration form for the Dhamma service here.
Arrival
On the arrival days, a shuttle service organized by the center is available for course participants and course helpers. If needed, please send us a message at [email protected].
The meeting point is directly in front of the train stations in Hof as well as in Oelsnitz/Vogtland. The departure time from Hof is 4:35 pm, and from Oelsnitz 3:10 pm.
On the departure day after the course, a shuttle service is also provided. For children’s courses, the shuttles leave at 10:45 am. Coordination and sign-up for the shuttle take place at the center on the day before departure. Advance reservations are not possible. The ride to Hof takes about 25 minutes, and to Oelsnitz about 15 minutes.
Further travel information.
Arrival day
Children and young people should arrive and register between 3 and 5 p.m. There will be a communal dinner at 6 p.m. After a few icebreaker games and explanations of the programme, the course will begin at around 8 p.m. with an introduction to Anapana meditation.
Departure day
The course ends after tidying up together at around 10 a.m. We kindly ask you to organise your child’s departure in advance. If an adult accompanying person is present, the children are welcome to have lunch at the centre.
What does your child need for the stay?
- Weatherproof clothing
- 1 pair of slippers
- Old T-shirt or shirt for craft activities
- Own bed linen
- Towel and toiletries
- Please do not give your children mobile phones, computers, CD/MP3 players, books, games or similar items for the duration of the course.
Do you have any questions specifically about Ānāpāna courses for children and adolescents?
You can find more information online here!
If you have any questions, you can also send an email to:
May all children and all adults find peace within themselves and be happy!