The courses offered at Dhamma Mahī and Dhamma Suriyārāma, the Vipassana meditation centres in France, as well as those held at other locations, are open to everyone, provided participants are in sufficiently good physical and mental health to follow the timetable and practise the meditation instructions.
Our backgrounds may differ and our lives are unique, but when we come to a Vipassana course, we are united by a common purpose: to develop peace and harmony within ourselves.
Non-Sectarian Meditation Practice
Originating from the teachings of Gautama Buddha, this meditation is presented in a non-sectarian way. The Buddha did not seek to convert people. He discovered the path leading to the end of suffering, and his only wish was to share this knowledge with others; the same is true today.
The cause of suffering lies within each of us, and by looking within ourselves we can discover the way to overcome it. This practice works for everyone, regardless of background or tradition, provided they are in suitable physical and mental health. This is what you will learn by attending a course.
Diversity
Cultural Diversity
We are fortunate to live in a country enriched by diversity in gender, origins, cultures and religions, and the Vipassana meditation centres welcome everyone without distinction.
Languages
Courses are conducted primarily in French and English. However, we regularly welcome students whose native language is neither French nor English.
To support them, the evening discourses explaining the technique are available in nearly 50 languages. If your primary language is neither French nor English, a member of our organisation will contact you to determine how we may best accommodate your needs.
Please note, however, that a working knowledge of either French or English is necessary for effective communication with the teachers and the management team, except during courses conducted in Khmer to serve the Cambodian community.
Gender diversity and sexual orientation
Everyone is welcome at our courses, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.
As is customary in all meditation courses within this tradition, a binary separation is made between gender identities, men and women. This separation applies to sleeping quarters, walking areas and dining rooms. In the meditation hall, each gender identity sits on one side of the room.
We recognise that this arrangement may not suit everyone and that members of the LGBTQIA+ community may feel uncomfortable with it.
When registering, if you do not identify as either female or male, you may select the option “Other” and provide further information about your situation.
If complying with this binary gender arrangement presents a difficulty for you, please let us know when you apply. We will do our best to explore possible accommodations that allow you, as well as the rest of the group, to feel comfortable during the retreat.
Similarly, if sharing a room may cause discomfort because of your sexual orientation or gender identity, please indicate this on your application form.
You may include any concerns in the section of the application form entitled “Is there any additional information you would like to provide?” We will contact you to discuss possible arrangements that meet both your needs and those of the group. Your personal information will remain strictly confidential and will only be shared with the course teacher and the accommodation coordinator.
At present, Dhamma Mahī, in the Yonne region, is best equipped to accommodate such requests, particularly because it offers a greater number of single rooms.
Health
A Vipassana meditation course is a demanding and rigorous experience. Participants must therefore be in sufficiently good physical and mental health to follow the course schedule and fully practise the meditation instructions.
Physical Health
We welcome most applicants, provided they are able to complete the entire course independently, without requiring medical assistance, as there are no healthcare professionals available on site.
Some people may have specific needs due to a medical condition or disability. Whenever possible, these needs will be taken into consideration in order to create the most supportive environment for everyone.
Both of our centres provide a range of facilities to accommodate participants with reduced mobility, hearing impairments or visual impairments.
Dhamma Mahī, in the Yonne region, is currently the best-equipped centre in France to accommodate certain disabilities, particularly reduced mobility and visual impairment, thanks to its flat terrain, short walking distances between buildings and single-storey accommodation.
To ensure that we can make appropriate arrangements, we must be informed well in advance of the participant’s arrival. We therefore ask applicants with particular needs to provide complete information in the “Would you like to add any further information?” section of the application form.
If necessary, we will contact them to better understand their level of independence in everyday life and assess the arrangements required for their stay, bearing in mind that retreats are conducted in silence and without physical contact with others.
Mental Health
Although Vipassana has proven beneficial for many people, it is not a substitute for medical or psychiatric treatment.
We do not recommend this technique for individuals who have experienced, or are currently experiencing, mental health conditions whose severity would prevent them from benefiting from such a course.
A certain degree of emotional and psychological stability is essential for undertaking a course. Applicants who disclose a history of mental health concerns will therefore be asked to complete a medical questionnaire so that we can better understand their current situation and medical history.
Based on the information provided, we reserve the right to seek the opinion of a healthcare professional to determine whether participation in a course would be appropriate.
The well-being of every participant is our highest priority. Consequently, we will not accept applicants when we believe the course would not be suitable for them or would not be beneficial.
It is therefore essential to complete the medical questionnaire accurately and honestly, as your mental well-being depends upon it.
Some applicants deliberately conceal mental health difficulties and are accepted onto courses. However, when previously undisclosed issues resurface through the meditation practice, they may become seriously destabilised and have to leave the course. In such cases, they may require urgent support from mental health professionals, who are not available on site.
For this reason, Vipassana practice is contraindicated for individuals who do not have the necessary level of mental stability. They are encouraged instead to pursue gentler, less intensive practices that are better suited to their current circumstances.
Learning Disabilities
To participate fully in a course, individuals with learning disabilities or cognitive impairments must be able to follow the timetable and observe the course discipline.
They must also be able to listen to, understand and apply the meditation instructions and guidance provided.
If there is any uncertainty, we will contact the applicant to discuss the course environment and ensure that it is appropriate for them.
Deaf Participants
Our association is gradually expanding its ability to welcome deaf participants through the support of experienced students who are able to provide interpretation in French Sign Language (LSF) during interviews with the course teachers.
As the availability of these interpreters is limited, we need to be informed well in advance if a deaf participant wishes to attend a course.
For this reason, prospective applicants are asked to contact the association before registering, using our messaging service, so that we can discuss the available possibilities, which depend on the availability of volunteer LSF interpreters.
Since the teaching of the technique—including instructions and evening discourses—is delivered through written materials, a good level of written French literacy is essential.