Serving Between the Courses

Whatever service one gives - whether guiding others in Dhamma or providing for their physical needs - its value depends only on the volition with which it is given. The most exalted task is worthless if performed with arrogance. The most menial task is invaluable if performed with humility and love. Therefore the base of service must be the actual practice of Dhamma in order to ensure the proper results. - S. N. Goenka

The period between the courses is when center prepares to welcome new students of the next course. There are a number of things to be done during this time. Old students come together to clean the rooms, Dhamma hall and centre, arrange provisions for coming 10-day course, so that students can mediate in a clean & peaceful environment without any disturbance. When old students serve together, it generates immense sympathetic joy (mudita) for them and it also helps in strengthening purity of the center. 

Most importantly, it is a good time to be at the center, meeting other meditators and strengthen your practice. If you cannot come for all 3 days, you can serve for any time as per your convenience. Please click here to see schedule and participate in any of the activity.

Short Film on Serving Between the Courses

Following short film has been prepared in Hindi and English languages to give an idea about various activities for serving between the courses:

List of activities for serving between the courses 

Day	Activity
Metta day (generally on Saturday)	Checking & procuring cleaning material
Every alternate Sunday	Dining Hall cleaning Checking rooms Garbage collection from rooms Rooms’ dustbin cleaning ​Cleaning Rooms  Cleaning window panels of the Center Cleaning and dusting the Center Wahing & drying of Meditation Cushion covers (in washing machine) Wahing & drying bed sheet and pillow cover (in washing machine)
Every alternate Monday	Cleaning rooms Checking first-aid box Folding cushion and bed covers
Every alternate Tuesday	Checking & cleaning rooms Cleaning meditation hall & kitchen Arranging cushions in meditation hall Arranging notebook, pens and bags for servers of next 10 day course. Preparing envelops for giving laundry bill/refund to students on metta day
Every alternate Wednesday	Unlocking all the rooms Keeping plastic bags in dustbins Keeping dustbins in each room Zero day registration-10 day course Guiding students to their rooms
Every alternate Thursday	Zero day registration-3 day course ​Guiding students to their rooms

Day	Activity
Metta day (generally on Saturday)	Checking & procuring grocery
Every alternate Sunday	Cleaning grocery
Every alternate Monday	Cleaning grocery
Every alternate Tuesday	Cleaning kitchen
Every alternate Wednesday	Cleaning vegetables
Every alternate Thursday	Cleaning & cutting vegetables

If you wish to stay at the Center for all three days, time table will be as follows:

7.30 am to 8 am	Breakfast
8 am to 9 am	Group meditation
9 am to 12 pm	Seva
12 pm to 1.30 pm	Lunch and rest
1.30 pm to 5 pm	Seva
5 pm to 6 pm	Tea & snacks
6 pm to 7 pm	Group meditation
7 pm to 7.30 pm	Dinner
7.30 pm to 8.30 pm	Evening discourse
8.30 pm to 9 pm	Metta session
9 pm	Lights out

Dhamma Service Period

This is a special period dedicated for cleaning the centre thoroughly. It is a joy to serve with fellow meditators, where all meditate together & serve selflessly with metta. On such occasions, every corner of the centre gets suffused with vibration of dhamma. It’s a great way to get to know the centre, to interact with the teacher & to give service in a low key way that supports strengthening your practice.

If old students cannot come for all 3 days, they can serve for a partial period, according to their convenience. Please click here to apply for the Dhamma Seva Period.