Dhamma Sirī

Southwest Vipassana Meditation Center, Kaufman, Texas, USA

Home / Disclosure

DISCLOSURE & ACCEPTANCE OF RISK FOR VIPASSANA COURSES 

Aug 26, 2025 

The vast majority of people who attend Vipassana courses report improvements in their mental well-being. For some people, however, there are potential risks in attending a course.  

A Vipassana meditation course is serious, intensive and demanding. Students are required to meditate up to twelve hours per day, and they may experience strong emotional and physical reactions during or after the course.   

Students must be self-disciplined, able to follow detailed instructions, cooperate with the teacher and staff, and maintain silence as per the Code of Discipline. They must read – and commit to – this Code of Discipline in order to be accepted onto the course. 

In addition, before being accepted to a Vipassana course at one of our Centers, the student needs to agree to the terms which are set out in the Disclosure & Acceptance of Risk form (below) and will be asked during the application process.  The purpose of these terms is to inform the student about the demands of the course, as well as the importance of the student providing full and honest answers to all the questions in the application process. 

Consider these potential risks: 

If a person has an existing or previous mental health problem, it may manifest on the course and overwhelm them.   

  • The application process is designed to help establish if the course is suitable for the student, but it depends on the student being completely honest in disclosing details of their full mental health history. 

If a person does not practice or engage with the technique properly, for example by mixing it with another technique or by not following the instructions taught on the course, it may result in them experiencing difficulties. 

  • The student is strongly warned to follow the instructions they are given as closely as possible.  If the student finds themself inadvertently not doing this, they should return to practicing correctly immediately.  

If a person has a suppressed or latent mental or physical health issue no one can rule out the possibility of it becoming apparent while being away from familiar routines.  Vipassana involves deep introspection, and so we may become aware of such issues that were hidden or of which we were only dimly aware.   

  • The student should see the teacher if they think they may be experiencing any such issue on the course.  Even though they are asked to commit to stay for the whole 10 days to get the proper benefits from the course, that does not apply if they have a health concern. Students are always free to leave the course to seek treatment if they are concerned, and they may be encouraged to do so.  

In conclusion, Vipassana is a spiritual path, it is not a treatment or therapy. The teachers are trained and experienced in teaching Vipassana; it is not their role to provide health advice.  If a student requires medical treatment, they must seek it elsewhere. When joining a course, a student must accept responsibility for their own physical and mental health. 

DISCLOSURE & ACCEPTANCE OF RISK FOR VIPASSANA COURSES 

You will be asked to read and sign a form similar to the below as part of the application and registration process 

  1. I confirm that I have given, and will continue to give, honest answers to all the questions in the application process. 
  2. I confirm that I havemade, and will continue to make if asked, an accurate disclosure of my current and past mental health as requested in the application process. I have not, and will not, withhold any relevant information.    
  3. I confirm that I have carefully read and understood the Code of Discipline (link this as has been done with COD on other places on the website) and the Disclosure and Acceptance of Risk waiver and I consent to, and fully accept, any risk connected with attending the course, including any impact on my physical or mental health. 
  4. I acknowledge that the course is not a treatment or therapy.  I understand that it is an intensive course in which I may have to face strong emotional or physical experiences.  I confirm that I have reasonably good mental and physical health, that I am fit to participate in the course, and that I am responsible for my own mental and physical health.
  5. I agreeto give contact details of a friend or relative who will act as an emergency contact person to assist me in any emergency, and who will travel to the Center to collect and assist me if necessary.
  6. I agree to notifyregistrationif there are any changes in my mental or physical health conditions, including any changes in medication, after I have been accepted onto the course.
  7. I confirm that I have not withheld, and will not withhold, any relevant information. 
  8. I agree to willingly leave the course if advised by the teachers to do so. 

By signing this form, and in consideration of being permitted to participate in this Vipassana meditation course, I knowingly grant to the organizers of this course, its associated organizations, and teachers, and those old student volunteers serving on the course, a complete, total and unequivocal release from any and all liability for any mental or physical experiences, which may occur directly or indirectly, during or after such participation. 

SIGNATURE 

DATE