Can I leave a Vipassana course early if it's too hard?

You can physically leave (nobody is locked in), but the courses are designed around staying for all ten days, and you agree to that when you apply. Centres ask you to think hard before starting rather than plan to leave midway, because the technique is taught step by step and stopping in the middle can leave people unsettled.

If you are unsure:

• Read the code of discipline on the centre's site before you apply (Dhamma Giri, for example).
• Talk to the course manager if you struggle. Difficult days are expected and they have seen it all.
• If ten days of silence feels like too big a first step, consider a shorter introduction first, such as a 3-day Happiness Program at the Art of Living centre or a weekend at Om Shanti Retreat Centre near Gurugram.