Vipassana Retreat
with Anthony Markwell
with Anthony Markwell
From March 4 to March 19, 2025.
Indriya Retreat, Pangan
Indriya Retreat, Pangan
Dates and program
3 March
3 March
Soft Entrance
4 March
4 March
Afternoon - registration
Evening - retreat begins
Evening - retreat begins
5 -18 March
5 -18 March
Fourteen full days of intensive meditation practice
12 March
12 March
Morning - retreat ends for 1 week of Vipassana
19 March
19 March
Morning - retreat ends for 2 weeks of Vipassana
19-21 March
19-21 March
Extension : relax and traveling for all those who finished 2-weeks Vipassana
What is a retreat?
The word "retreat" literally means "seclusion" and is used as an international term to denote time of solitude dedicated to either intensive practice, deep learning, or creativity.
A retreat implies that a person withdraws from society and their daily routine for a certain period (several days or even weeks) to rest, live in simple conditions, alone, in silence, and in nature.
Most often, retreats take place in quiet natural settings, away from noise and hustle of big cities.
Retreat programs at the Indriya Retreat center offer opportunities for a deep and authentic retreat experience.
A retreat is not an entertainment program or a chase for excitement; it is a deep internal practice aimed at healing your mind and heart through intensive meditation:
A retreat implies that a person withdraws from society and their daily routine for a certain period (several days or even weeks) to rest, live in simple conditions, alone, in silence, and in nature.
Most often, retreats take place in quiet natural settings, away from noise and hustle of big cities.
Retreat programs at the Indriya Retreat center offer opportunities for a deep and authentic retreat experience.
A retreat is not an entertainment program or a chase for excitement; it is a deep internal practice aimed at healing your mind and heart through intensive meditation:
- Several days in silence without your phone enjoying a break from the information flow
- Slowing down, releasing tension, and feeling the healing power of the present moment
- Improving health and establishing a healthy daily routine
- Calm mind, better concentration
- Radical increase in your energy level
- Fresh perception bringing you back to enjoying simple things
- Connection with your intuition, fresh creative ideas
- Uplifted spirit and inspiration for new achievements
WHAT IS SPECIAL ABOUT A VIPASSANA MEDITATION RETREAT?
So, retreats can vary based on the key method or teaching.
As the name suggests, a meditation retreat primarily involves learning meditation skills and intensive practice.
Participants at meditation retreats in our centers practice Mindfulness techniques, a type of secular meditation well-known in the west, free from any religious component or dogmatism.
In Russia, mindfulness is often referred to as the practice of awareness.
As the name suggests, a meditation retreat primarily involves learning meditation skills and intensive practice.
Participants at meditation retreats in our centers practice Mindfulness techniques, a type of secular meditation well-known in the west, free from any religious component or dogmatism.
In Russia, mindfulness is often referred to as the practice of awareness.
IMPORTANT TO NOTE
AT OUR RETREATS:
The program is free from any worship. All practices are only about training mental faculties. There are statues of the Buddha in the area, and you will be required to follow general cultural rules of the country. They are simple and will be explained in the orientation talk. There are no obligatory religious rituals. Some evenings the teacher gives chanting (traditional recitation of the Pali canon texts), you can either join it or just be present in the hall. It is not a critical element of a successful meditation retreat.
As a result of practice:
- Stress and anxiety decrease
- Fears and obsessive thoughts become less frequent
- The mind becomes calm and clear
- Connection with the body improves, developing bodily awareness
- The skill of being present in the moment and awareness in daily activities is developed
- It is easier not to identify with emotional states
- Automatic reactions fade away
- There is greater acceptance of life in all its aspects, as it is
- Meditation helps release the burden of regrets about the past, worries, and negative emotions
- The skill of maintaining an even, objective, and equanimous attitude towards events is cultivated
- Emotional intelligence, empathy, and compassion for yourself and others are developed
About the Master
Anthony Markwell
Anthony, originally from Australia, came to Thailand in 1991 and lived on the islands for a while, working as a land sales agent. Four years after moving to Thailand, he became interested in Buddhism, met a master at the forest monastery Wat Don Put, and was ordained as a monk.
About a year after the master's death, Anthony went to Burma, where he spent five rain seasons. After that, he returned to Thailand. He spent 11 years as a monk in various temples in Burma and Thailand, and in 2006, he returned home to Melbourne. Anthony earned a bachelor's degree in gemology, the science of precious stones, from a local university.
For some time, he worked for a company trading in precious stones, living an ordinary worldly life. A few years ago, Anthony left his job, sold his property, and returned to Thailand to dedicate himself fully to meditation.
For several years, Anthony was a resident teacher at the Wat Kow Tahm monastery on the island of Phangan, Thailand. Students who attended his retreats speak of them with great enthusiasm. Listeners appreciate how Anthony explains Buddhist teachings with great interest, enthusiasm, and clarity. Anthony is well-versed in the Pali Canon, which preserves the teachings of the Buddha. He pays great attention to explaining Satipatthana, or the four foundations of mindfulness.
About a year after the master's death, Anthony went to Burma, where he spent five rain seasons. After that, he returned to Thailand. He spent 11 years as a monk in various temples in Burma and Thailand, and in 2006, he returned home to Melbourne. Anthony earned a bachelor's degree in gemology, the science of precious stones, from a local university.
For some time, he worked for a company trading in precious stones, living an ordinary worldly life. A few years ago, Anthony left his job, sold his property, and returned to Thailand to dedicate himself fully to meditation.
For several years, Anthony was a resident teacher at the Wat Kow Tahm monastery on the island of Phangan, Thailand. Students who attended his retreats speak of them with great enthusiasm. Listeners appreciate how Anthony explains Buddhist teachings with great interest, enthusiasm, and clarity. Anthony is well-versed in the Pali Canon, which preserves the teachings of the Buddha. He pays great attention to explaining Satipatthana, or the four foundations of mindfulness.
Schedule
During the retreat, we will follow a simple schedule, and you won't even need to look at the clock as the sound of the bell will let you know where you need to be at any given time. We ask you to participate in all sessions and talks. You will have plenty of free time for laundry, washing, rest, and reflection on your experiences during the breaks.
We ask you to fully adhere to the schedule. All planned activities are mandatory, meaning you must attend them.
Approximate daily schedule of the retreat:
We ask you to fully adhere to the schedule. All planned activities are mandatory, meaning you must attend them.
Approximate daily schedule of the retreat:
Personal Interviews with the Teacher
During personal interviews, you will have an opportunity to share your meditation experience with Anthony Markwell and receive his recommendations. Based on your ten-minute report, Anthony will suggest individual adjustments to your practice if necessary.
Sitting Meditation
45-minute meditation sessions are conducted in a group several times a day. To maintain continuity, breaks between practices do not exceed two hours. There are over thirty sittings during the retreat, and each one is a new learning experience, valuable in its own way.
Walking Meditation
Walking meditations play an important role in the retreat. They are also 45 minutes, alternating with sitting sessions. Instructions for walking meditation will be provided at the retreat.
Meditative Yoga
Daily morning yoga sessions connect the body, breath, and mind, and also help muscles adapt to long sitting practices.
INDRIYA RETREAT CENTER on Koh Phangan is A SPACE TO FILL YOU, OPEN YOU UP, AND INSPIRE
Indriya Retreat is an international retreat center. It is located on Koh Phangan (Thailand), near a small stream and surrounded by fruit trees and tropical plants. Guests of the center find themselves in an atmosphere of seclusion and tranquility, which facilitates the practice of Vipassana meditation.
Bathrooms
A separate building with all necessary facilities — toilets, sinks, and shower cabins.
Vegetarian food
Comfortable Huts
The huts are wooden. Inside, there are two fully equipped sleeping places (with mattresses, quality bed linen, blankets, pillows, and towels).
A high-quality, exquisite vegetarian diet focused on detox and wellness: an abundance of fruits and nuts, salads, superfoods, juices, Chinese tea, cocoa.
Entry fee
To register for the retreat, it is necessary to fill out the form below and pay a registration fee of 300 USD per 1 week / 600 USD per 2 weeks by this methods of payment, after the payment is completed, you are kindly asked to send it via email booking@indriyaretreat.com puting into the topic of the letter your date of retreat, surname and name.
What is it for?
Firstly, the registration fee confirms the seriousness of your intention to attend the retreat and guarantees you a place in the group.
Secondly, the registration fee partially covers the current expenses of the Indriya Retreat Center directly related to the conduct of the retreat:
- Payment for water for the kitchen and sanitary facilities (all water is supplied);
- Payment for drinking water for participants;
- Consumption of gas (there's no main gas pipeline; the center purchases expensive liquefied gas for the boiler);
- Payment of salaries for cooks and administrators;
- Purchase of groceries;
- Other operational expenses.
Secondly, the registration fee partially covers the current expenses of the Indriya Retreat Center directly related to the conduct of the retreat:
- Payment for water for the kitchen and sanitary facilities (all water is supplied);
- Payment for drinking water for participants;
- Consumption of gas (there's no main gas pipeline; the center purchases expensive liquefied gas for the boiler);
- Payment of salaries for cooks and administrators;
- Purchase of groceries;
- Other operational expenses.
After the payment of the registration fee and filling up your personal data, you will receive an organizational letter confirming your participation.
Donation for Indriya Retreat Center and Master
According to the beautiful ancient tradition, there is no fixed charge for the teaching and meditation training itself. At the end of the program the participants will have an opportunity to leave a conscious donation.
Thanking the center and the teacher for the knowledge is an honor and an opportunity to perform a karmically good deed, thereby accumulating good merits and improving your karma.
The principle of DANA applies – voluntary donations from retreat participants as gratitude to the center and the teacher, which participants leave at the end of the retreat.
You determine the amount of gratitude yourself – it is at your discretion.
Thanking the center and the teacher for the knowledge is an honor and an opportunity to perform a karmically good deed, thereby accumulating good merits and improving your karma.
The principle of DANA applies – voluntary donations from retreat participants as gratitude to the center and the teacher, which participants leave at the end of the retreat.
You determine the amount of gratitude yourself – it is at your discretion.
Vipassana Retreat Rules
A retreat is a serious and profound work on oneself.
In the event of a gross violation of the retreat rules on your part, we will have to ask you to leave the camp so as not to disturb other participants from practicing.
In the event of a gross violation of the retreat rules on your part, we will have to ask you to leave the camp so as not to disturb other participants from practicing.
The most important rule of any deep meditation retreat is silence. Yes, throughout the retreat, participants refrain from any communication.
All students must observe Noble Silence from the beginning of the course until the morning following the last full day of the course. Noble Silence means silence of body, speech, and mind. Therefore, all forms of communication with other students, including gestures, sign language, and notes, are prohibited.
Students, however, may speak with the teacher if necessary. They may also contact the course administrator and staff with any issues concerning food, accommodation, health, etc., but such contacts should be kept to a minimum. Students should feel that they are working alone. In everyday life, we spend a huge amount of time and energy on conversations, often idle. People say things that could be left unsaid, gossip, insult, shout. This creates unrest not only in our world but also in our minds.
Silence allows the mind to calm down and maintain quiet, peaceful conditions for everyone. For some, this will be a difficult test, but most people will find this wonderful experience very beneficial. Many participants have travelled a long way to enjoy this silence at the center, show respect and mutual understanding by maintaining silence, mindfulness, and wisdom. Training to live, practice, move, and act in absolute silence and calmness will lead to pleasant results.
"Silence" also implies that you will not use the books you brought with you. During the retreat, you will receive a large amount of information, and reading will distract your attention or may even confuse you. Please keep the books closed; you will have plenty of time to read after the retreat. Additionally, we ask you not to write anything down, except for notes during the talks. Writing letters, poems, stories, keeping diaries, and other creativity will distract the mind from the main goals of meditation.
Attention! The use of cameras, mobile phones, audio players, and e-books during the retreat is prohibited.
All students must observe Noble Silence from the beginning of the course until the morning following the last full day of the course. Noble Silence means silence of body, speech, and mind. Therefore, all forms of communication with other students, including gestures, sign language, and notes, are prohibited.
Students, however, may speak with the teacher if necessary. They may also contact the course administrator and staff with any issues concerning food, accommodation, health, etc., but such contacts should be kept to a minimum. Students should feel that they are working alone. In everyday life, we spend a huge amount of time and energy on conversations, often idle. People say things that could be left unsaid, gossip, insult, shout. This creates unrest not only in our world but also in our minds.
Silence allows the mind to calm down and maintain quiet, peaceful conditions for everyone. For some, this will be a difficult test, but most people will find this wonderful experience very beneficial. Many participants have travelled a long way to enjoy this silence at the center, show respect and mutual understanding by maintaining silence, mindfulness, and wisdom. Training to live, practice, move, and act in absolute silence and calmness will lead to pleasant results.
"Silence" also implies that you will not use the books you brought with you. During the retreat, you will receive a large amount of information, and reading will distract your attention or may even confuse you. Please keep the books closed; you will have plenty of time to read after the retreat. Additionally, we ask you not to write anything down, except for notes during the talks. Writing letters, poems, stories, keeping diaries, and other creativity will distract the mind from the main goals of meditation.
Attention! The use of cameras, mobile phones, audio players, and e-books during the retreat is prohibited.
Students must not leave the camp area throughout the course. They may leave only with the teacher's consent. No external contacts, including letters, phone communication, and contacts with visitors, are allowed until the end of the course. Mobile phones, pagers, and other electronic devices must be handed over to the course organizers for safekeeping. In special cases, friends or relatives may contact the course management.
There is nowhere to go but inside your own consciousness, but sometimes this can be a frightening journey. You may be overcome by boredom or restlessness. In these moments, you should be extremely attentive and mindful. It is from these states of mind that we can extract so much information about ourselves. Do not let your consciousness wander beyond the meditation retreat; if you start to get distracted without limits, it will soon become difficult to force yourself to return to meditation. Make sure you have all the necessary things before the retreat begins.
There is nowhere to go but inside your own consciousness, but sometimes this can be a frightening journey. You may be overcome by boredom or restlessness. In these moments, you should be extremely attentive and mindful. It is from these states of mind that we can extract so much information about ourselves. Do not let your consciousness wander beyond the meditation retreat; if you start to get distracted without limits, it will soon become difficult to force yourself to return to meditation. Make sure you have all the necessary things before the retreat begins.
Clothing should be simple, modest, and comfortable. Do not wear transparent, revealing, or overly tight clothing that attracts attention (such as shorts, short skirts, tank tops, etc.).
For comfort and convenience during meditation, please wear loose and light clothing (but not transparent). We also ask that your clothing be clean and neat. Pants should be long enough to cover the knees during sitting meditation. Shirts should cover the shoulders and abdomen. Please, no shorts or tank tops. During the retreat, there is no need to wear jewelry and other types of adornments; be simpler and more natural. Everyone should wear underwear, and women must wear a bra.
For comfort and convenience during meditation, please wear loose and light clothing (but not transparent). We also ask that your clothing be clean and neat. Pants should be long enough to cover the knees during sitting meditation. Shirts should cover the shoulders and abdomen. Please, no shorts or tank tops. During the retreat, there is no need to wear jewelry and other types of adornments; be simpler and more natural. Everyone should wear underwear, and women must wear a bra.
The center's territory is a space free from alcohol, drugs, cigarettes, and other intoxicants. It is not allowed to bring drugs, alcohol, and other intoxicating and narcotic substances into the camp. Violation of the sobriety rule will result in your immediate departure from the camp.
Cigarettes are a form of toxic means that intoxicate the body. They interfere with meditation and your natural relaxation. During the retreat, you must refrain from smoking.
Cigarettes are a form of toxic means that intoxicate the body. They interfere with meditation and your natural relaxation. During the retreat, you must refrain from smoking.
No special physical preparation is required for meditation at the retreat, but poor health can hinder mental exertion. If you are ill, it is better to wait for recovery and attend the next retreat.
Maintaining mindfulness during breaks is the key to successful meditation. Pay attention to every detail in routine tasks, perform all actions slowly and mindfully. The ability to remain present, not wandering in the past or future, is an indicator of your progress.
Complete gender separation should be observed. Men and women live separately, eat, and meditate in designated areas.
In the rhythm of modern life, spending a whole week without a phone is a luxury. But we are sure you deserve it and you will definitely cope. Therefore, rule #1 is to hand over your phone to us for safekeeping;
The second rule smoothly follows from the first: check-in occurs only after handing over the phone. The algorithm of actions is as follows: finish all affairs, turn off the phone and alarm on it, and bravely hand it over to the valiant hands of the Center's staff;
Silence, minimal interaction between participants, maximum immersion in meditation practice is our common goal, and therefore we do not accept couples for the retreat;
If you decide to leave the retreat without a valid reason, the next time the organizational fee for you will be 10 times higher.
Please carefully weigh your capabilities;
Practices, schedules, rules are designed solely for the benefit of participants. If you do not follow the retreat rules, are late, and miss practices, after the second warning, we will be forced to say goodbye to you.
The second rule smoothly follows from the first: check-in occurs only after handing over the phone. The algorithm of actions is as follows: finish all affairs, turn off the phone and alarm on it, and bravely hand it over to the valiant hands of the Center's staff;
Silence, minimal interaction between participants, maximum immersion in meditation practice is our common goal, and therefore we do not accept couples for the retreat;
If you decide to leave the retreat without a valid reason, the next time the organizational fee for you will be 10 times higher.
Please carefully weigh your capabilities;
Practices, schedules, rules are designed solely for the benefit of participants. If you do not follow the retreat rules, are late, and miss practices, after the second warning, we will be forced to say goodbye to you.
- I undertake the precept to refrain from destroying living creatures.
- I undertake the precept to refrain from taking that which is not given.
- I undertake the precept to refrain from sexual activity.
- I undertake the precept to refrain from incorrect speech.
- I undertake the precept to refrain from intoxicating drinks and drugs which lead to carelessness.
- I undertake the precept to refrain from eating at the forbidden time (i.e., after noon).
- I undertake the precept to refrain from dancing, singing, music, going to see entertainments, wearing garlands, using perfumes, and beautifying the body with cosmetics.
- I undertake the precept to refrain from lying on a high or luxurious sleeping place.
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CONTACT US
- booking@indriyaretreat.com
- +79657582426
- Branch Address: 66/9 Moo 5, Koh Phangan, Koh Phangan, Suratthani, 84280 Thailand
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