Indriya Retreat Vipassana

Meditation centre offering silent 10-day and 21-day vipassana retreats Welcome to the Indriya Retreat Vipassana community!

We are a dedicated meditation center offering silent 7-day and 14-day Vipassana retreats throughout the year. Our programs are designed for both beginners and experienced meditators seeking a transformative experience in a peaceful environment. What's New for 2025:

Flexible Retreat Dates: Now offering more frequent start dates for 7-day and 14-day programs.
• Experienced Teachers: Guided sessions led by certified instructors with international expertise.
• Supportive Community: Connect with fellow meditators, share insights, and maintain your practice beyond the retreat.
• Comfortable eco-huts: Fully renovated in 2024, with double occupancy. Single occupancy available upon request.
• Easy Registration: Reserve your spot directly via updates in our Facebook group or on our website.
• Additional Spiritual Retreats & Workshops: Occasional workshops on mindfulness, yoga, and holistic wellness are included. Join us to experience deep silence, inner growth, and lasting peace. For updates, registration information, and support, stay tuned to this group.

18/01/2026

Retreats with Anthony Markwell — February to October 🙏

Dear friends,
we’re happy to share the full schedule of all programs with Anthony Markwell at Indriya, from February through October, to make it easier for you to orient yourself, plan ahead, and choose the format of practice that resonates with you right now.

During this period, we offer both live retreats and retreats in recorded format.

🧘 Live Retreats with Anthony

🗓 March 5–26
Vipassana Retreat “Express to Nibbāna”

🗓 April 2–10
Classic 7-Day Retreat

📹 Recorded Retreats

This season — in February and from May through October — Indriya will host regular retreats with Anthony in a recorded format on the following dates:

🗓 February 1–9
🗓 February 25 – March 5
🗓 May 1–9
🗓 June 1–9
🗓 July 1–9
🗓 August 1–9
🗓 September 1–9
🗓 October 1–9

These are full retreat formats, including:
— morning meditation instructions
— evening Dhamma talks by Anthony
— a clear and supportive daily schedule
— continuous guidance and support from assistants

We have been offering this format for two years now and see that, even when working with recordings, participants receive a deep and stable experience. This option is especially suitable for those who wish to maintain regular practice during the low season or are unable to attend in person.

You can choose:
— live participation or a recorded format
— peak season or a quieter time
— dates that best align with your life rhythm

We hope this schedule helps you plan your practice for the coming months.
If you have any questions about the formats or dates, simply leave a “+” in the comments, and we’ll reach out to you in private messages 🤍🌿

15/01/2026

“It feels as if you’ve come home.”

Over the past weeks, we’ve received many heartfelt messages from you — in private conversations, retreat group chats, and online. Today, we’d like to share a few of your kind words 🤍

We are deeply grateful to everyone who took the time to reflect on their experience at Indriya. Your feedback allows others to sense the atmosphere of the retreat even before arriving — honestly, vividly, and without embellishment.

Leonard Pepa
💬
“A wonderful experience — eight rich and meaningful days that truly paid off. The staff are highly professional and always ready to help. The rules and daily schedule are followed with great care and consistency.”

Jonas Hofmann
💬
“An incredible experience. Everything was perfectly organized, and the clear structure of the day, along with well-defined guidelines, allowed us to immerse ourselves deeply in meditation.”

Annette Schindlmeier
💬
“A magical place. Thank you for this special time. Anthony is a wonderful teacher and a truly beautiful human being. The entire team creates a feeling as if you’ve come home.”

For us, these reflections are a confirmation that the space of Indriya genuinely supports the practice — through silence, clarity of structure, attentive guidance, and human warmth.

Thank you to everyone who has been part of this journey and shared their experience with us.
We truly value your trust and continue to walk this path with care and respect 🙏

13/01/2026

What Regular Meditation and Vipassana Practice Offer

Meditation is not a way to become better or to fix oneself.
And Vipassana is not a technique for quick relaxation.

Regular practice gradually creates the conditions in which it becomes possible to see how the mind works — and to begin living with this understanding.

As Anthony Markwell writes in his book «Truly Understanding the Teachings of the Buddha»:

💬
“Meditation is the faculty of faith and confidence, the faculty of energy, the faculty of mindfulness, the faculty of concentration, and the faculty of wisdom. By developing meditation, we cultivate specific qualities of mind. These qualities gradually strengthen and mature, leading to deep and genuine understanding and insight.”

Over time, practitioners often notice:

— greater clarity in thoughts and decisions
— fewer automatic reactions and impulsive actions
— the ability to remain present even in difficult states
— a more stable inner calm that does not depend on external circumstances

💬
“We will place particular emphasis on observing how identification and appropriation of mental and physical phenomena occur. We want to understand the process of mind and body. We investigate this process in order to know it and to see it clearly. This is the meaning of the word ‘Vipassana’ — to see clearly.” — Anthony Markwell

Gradually, an understanding arises:
suffering becomes less not because life changes,
but because our relationship to what is happening changes.

Regular practice is not a path toward an ideal state, but toward greater honesty with oneself, simplicity, and inner freedom.

This is why, at Indriya, we continue to create a space of silence, discipline, and support — so that each person can see this directly, through their own experience.

11/01/2026

New Live Retreat with Anthony — April 2026

Dear friends,
we are happy to announce a new 7-day live retreat with Anthony Markwell, which will take place this April at the Indriya retreat center.

🗓 April 2–10, 2026
📍 Indriya, Koh Phangan (Thailand)

A one-week Vipassana retreat is a format that suits both beginners and long-term practitioners alike.
This retreat will be the last live retreat with Anthony during the high season — until autumn.

The retreat will follow a traditional, classical retreat format, held in the living presence of the Teacher and within the supportive, mindful space of Indriya.

The program includes:

* sitting and walking meditation
* live meditation instructions
* Anthony’s talks on the Dhamma and the nature of mind
* interviews with Anthony

Each day is dedicated to practice in noble silence, without gadgets, in an atmosphere of mindful presence.

Anthony Markwell writes about Vipassana in his book Understanding the Buddha’s Teaching:

💬

“In the conditions of a retreat, it is impossible to run away from one’s own mind. We observe the mind, its states, reactions, what we like and dislike, and what we identify with. In the absence of external distractions, it becomes possible to see directly what is truly happening in the present moment.”

This is a simple and time-tested format that has helped people establish their practice for many years, without unnecessary complications or expectations.

If you feel ready to dedicate the beginning of April to a transformational Vipassana experience with Anthony, write “+” in the comments, and we will send you detailed information in a private message.

08/01/2026

Retreat or Relaxation? What Matters Before Choosing a Practice

We often use the word *meditation* to describe very different practices — from gentle relaxation after a long day to deep inner work that can be challenging, yet truly transformative.

In this video, Anthony explains the fundamental difference between a Vipassana retreat and meditation aimed at relaxation.

If you’ve ever considered going on a retreat but weren’t sure whether it was right for you, this video will help bring clarity.

▶️ Watch and listen carefully.

06/01/2026

🏝 Important update if you’re planning a trip to Koh Phangan

⚠️ From May 1, 2025, all foreign nationals entering Thailand must complete the TDAC (Thailand Digital Arrival Card) in advance and obtain a QR code.

The form can be filled out online no earlier than 72 hours before arrival:
🔗 [https://tdac.immigration.go.th/](https://tdac.immigration.go.th/)

If you haven’t been to Koh Phangan before — or it’s been a while — here’s how to get there:

✈️ There is no airport on Koh Phangan, so the final part of the journey is always by ferry.

💰 Most popular & budget-friendly route — via Surat Thani

1. Flight Bangkok → Surat Thani
2. Combined ticket from Surat Thani Airport: bus + ferry to Koh Phangan

⏱️ 5–7 hours total
🚢 Operators: Lomprayah, Seatran, Raja Ferry
✅ Airport transfer included

🚀 Fastest route — via Koh Samui

1. Flight Bangkok → Koh Samui
2. Taxi to the pier (15–20 min)
3. Ferry to Koh Phangan

⏱️ 3–4 hours total
🚢 Lomprayah (30 min), Seatran, Raja Ferry
📍 Piers: Bangrak (Big Buddha), Maenam

🌴 Most scenic route — via Phuket

1. Arrival in Phuket
2. Transfer + ferry

⏱️ 7–9 hours total
🌊 Some routes pass via Koh Samui

🚖 Arrival on Koh Phangan

All ferries arrive at Thong Sala Pier.
From the pier to Indriya Retreat — 15–25 minutes by taxi from the port parking area.

💡 Useful links & tips

📌 Tickets: 12go.asia, Lomprayah, Seatran
📌 During high season and Full Moon periods, book in advance
📌 trip.com — affordable domestic flights within Thailand and accommodation
(payment available with international or Russian cards)

04/01/2026

2026 at Indriya: a space for practice, depth, and mindfulness 🧘‍♀️

We begin this year with joy and gratitude.

We are happy to share that several new retreats have joined our program. To help you navigate the season ahead, we’ve prepared an updated overview of our retreats and educational programs running from January through April 2026. The schedule includes offerings both for those taking their first steps and for those who have been walking this path for a long time.

🌱 Welcome to the New Year with Indriya.

31/12/2025

Happy New Year ✨
Our warm greetings to you straight from the Indriya Retreat Center — from the sun-kissed island of Phangan.

Here, where the ocean breathes in a steady rhythm,
palms whisper instead of news headlines,
and the warm air gently reminds us
that life can be softer than we are used to.

May the new year become a time of returning —
to the body, to inner stillness,
to honest feelings and simple joys.
May there be more presence in your days,
less hurry, and more moments when you can truly say to yourself:

“I am here. And I am well.”

We wish you clarity without strain,
depth without heaviness,
and movement born from joy rather than obligation.

May 2025 bring you your own islands of peace,
your own waves of renewal,
and your own places of power —
both within and beyond.

29/12/2025

Thank You for Being With Us — Reflections on 2025 🤍

Dear friends,
we would like to pause for a moment, look back, and share what this year has been like for Indriya.

2025 became a year of change.
New programs. New teachers. New conditions.

And at the same time, it became a year that highlighted the exceptional value of trust in Anthony and in the path of Dhamma —
a year in which the human longing for a genuine, transformational experience became especially clear.

Thank you to everyone who walked this year with us —
for your trust and your understanding.

For the reflections you shared, including words like:

💬 “These ten days became a true turning point for me. You gave me a spark — thank you.”

💬 “A truly life-changing experience. Indriya is a powerful, transformative space, filled with love and presence.”

💬 “It is very hard to put into words what Indriya offers… clean and comfortable cabins, hot showers, delicious vegetarian food, and a deeply caring team.”

Each time we read these messages, we feel profound gratitude.

🌿 The center continues to grow:
this year we completed the renovation of the cabins,
opened an additional yoga space,
and — for many, a particularly welcome change — brought hot water to the showers.

This was a year of change.
And the purpose of these changes is the continued development of Indriya.

Thank you for being part of this year —
for coming to retreats, reading our posts, writing comments and messages, opening our emails —
or simply holding Indriya and Anthony with warmth in your heart.

The most important measure for us is that participants received a truly meaningful experience.

Ahead lies even more depth and transformation.
And we are grateful to continue this journey with you —
with respect for the community of Dhamma friends that has formed around Anthony,
and with hope that new teachers, new programs, and new conditions will support an even deeper experience and a sustainable path for Indriya.

With love and kindness,
The Indriya Team 🤍

28/12/2025

🌿 End the Year with Gratitude

As the year comes to a close, many of us begin to reflect.
Some make lists, some create plans,
and some simply feel tired — ready to draw a line and let the year end.

We would like to offer another way to complete this year —
through the practice of loving-kindness, Metta, shared by Anthony Markwell.

Anthony speaks of Metta not as a technique,
but as a way of living:

💬 “Metta is a special intention we direct toward other beings, wishing them happiness.
Whenever you have a free moment, turn your mind toward loving-kindness.
Be friendly and compassionate.
Notice how this changes your life.”

By the end of the year, so much often gathers inside us:
unfinished conversations, fatigue, regret, gratitude, joy, tension.

Metta helps us gently hold all of this — without struggle or self-judgment.
It allows us to complete the year with greater warmth toward ourselves and others.
To say “thank you” to the year that has passed.
And to ourselves within it.

We invite you to close this year through the practice of loving-kindness —
Metta with Anthony Markwell.

It is a gentle way to gather everything this year has brought
and to let it go with gratitude —
without harsh conclusions or pressure on yourself.

🕊 Practice at your own pace — link to the meditation: https://youtu.be/lphq3qqvaiE

And if you feel called to go deeper,
we invite you to join us next year in Indriya,
to practice Metta together in a living, transformative space.

With love and kindness,
The Indriya Team 🤍

23/12/2025

Vipassana — the luxury of being yourself.

Have you noticed how fatigue becomes the background of life?
How anxiety and racing thoughts refuse to switch off, even at night?
How life seems to move forward, yet you feel it less and less deeply?

The practice at Anthony Markwell’s retreat doesn’t work on the level of ideas — it works on the level of *direct inner experience.

Here is what gradually begins to unfold:

— stress and anxiety decrease
— fears and obsessive thoughts lose their grip and arise less often
— the mind becomes calmer and clearer
— a deep connection with the body and its signals appears
— you begin to live in the present moment, not in an endless “later”
— emotions no longer take you over completely — you stop identifying with them
— automatic reactions fade, and real choice emerges
— acceptance of life as it is arises, without inner resistance
— the weight of past regrets and future worries dissolves
— a steady, objective, and calm perspective on events forms
— emotional intelligence, empathy, and compassion develop — first and foremost toward yourself

This is not about “becoming someone else.”
It is about returning to who you truly are.

📍 January 2–10, 2026
📍 Phangan, Indriya
📍 Anthony Markwell Vipassana Retreat

If you’ve been thinking about this retreat, there is only one week left.

As one participant of Anthony’s retreat said:
💬 “Vipassana is a luxury you have to allow yourself.”

You can start the New Year the old way.
Or you can begin it with inner silence, clarity, and the feeling that you are exactly where you belong.

If this resonates — don’t postpone it.
Sometimes one single “yes” changes the entire year ahead.

Leave a + in the comments, and we’ll tell you how to secure one of the last remaining places.

21/12/2025

🧘‍♀️ Why Meditation Begins… on Your Plate

Close your eyes. Take a breath.
And now, be honest with yourself: what happens to your practice when the body feels heavy and the mind is scattered?

Meditation is a subtle art.
And the body plays no smaller role in it than breath or awareness.

🌱 Food as an Extension of Practice
Vegetarian food does not overload the body, does not “weigh down” perception, and does not drain energy. It is easy to digest, leaving space for what truly matters — inner stillness. When the body feels light, the mind finds it easier to slow down and remain present.

🧠 Where There Is Less Noise
Plant-based food helps smooth sharp fluctuations in energy and emotions. Thoughts soften, attention becomes steadier, and immersion in meditation feels deeper and more natural — without effort.

✨ The Subtlety of Sensation
Over time, many begin to notice: the breath feels clearer, the body more attentive, and inner processes more profound. Meditation stops being a “practice” and becomes a state of being.

🌿 When Values Align
Vegetarian nutrition is not a restriction, but a choice. A choice in favor of non-violence, awareness, and respect for life. And when this choice is reflected in everyday living, a quiet, steady harmony arises within.

🌸 That Is Why Everything at Indriya Begins with Care
We prepare only vegetarian meals for you — living, balanced, and filled with intention. Dishes that support the body without distracting the mind, becoming a natural continuation of meditation rather than a pause between practices.

Sometimes the deepest journey inward
begins with a simple decision —
what you choose to place on your plate 🌱