Frequently Asked Questions

RETREAT EXPERIENCE

  • Some Indriya retreats include opportunities to explore expanded states of awareness within a carefully prepared and responsibly held environment. Where legally appropriate and in accordance with local regulations, these experiences may involve substances such as psilocybin or MDMA as part of a broader framework of consciousness exploration, personal insight, and integration.

    These experiences are approached with care and responsibility. Participants are supported through thoughtful preparation, a structured retreat setting, and post-experience integration guidance designed to help translate insight into meaningful and grounded change in everyday life.

    Participation is always voluntary and based on informed consent. Individuals are responsible for understanding and respecting the legal framework of the country in which the retreat takes place.

    Indriya retreats operate with a commitment to ethical facilitation, transparency, and responsible engagement with non-ordinary states of consciousness. Retreats are educational and experiential in nature and are not intended as medical or psychological treatment.

    Why include both psilocybin- and MDMA-oriented experiences? 

    Participants often describe these two modalities as supporting different qualities of inner exploration.

    Experiences associated with psilocybin are commonly described as encouraging introspection, symbolic insight, and expanded perspective. Experiences associated with MDMA are often described as supporting emotional openness, trust, and relational awareness.

    Within a structured retreat setting, these experiences may offer complementary opportunities for both inner reflection and emotional connection.

  • The union of these two medicines in deliberate sequence is one of the most sophisticated healing architectures available to human consciousness at this moment in history. Not because they are exotic or transgressive, but because they address the fundamental structure of trauma, disconnection, and suffering from two completely different angles — and when sequenced correctly, they complete each other in a way neither can achieve alone. Each medicine works uniquely to support emotional processing, personal growth, and deep transformation. Together, they constitute something close to a complete healing cycle.

    Psilocybin: The Great Revealer
    Psilocybin works by dissolving the filters. The default mode network — the brain's self-referential narrator, the part that maintains the story of who you are, what happened to you, and why the world works the way it does — goes quiet. It is measurable neuroscience. When that narrator silences, what has been held beneath it rises. Memories, emotions, somatic imprints, relational wounds, existential questions that daily consciousness keeps carefully managed — all of it becomes accessible.

    The psilocybin state is characterized by a quality of radical honesty. The psyche stops performing and starts revealing. Defenses that took decades to construct become temporarily transparent. The person sees themselves, their patterns, their pain, and often their beauty, with a clarity that normal waking consciousness actively prevents. The medicine shifts perception at its root — dissolving negative thought loops, fostering a sense of connection and hope, and helping individuals reframe past experiences with new eyes. It expands consciousness, opening the door to the subconscious and the deep-seated patterns that organize a life from beneath awareness. This is why psilocybin has shown such remarkable results in treatment-resistant depression, end-of-life anxiety, and addiction — it bypasses the defended mind entirely and speaks directly to the deeper layers of self-organization.

    It also speaks in the language of meaning. Psilocybin sessions are frequently described as among the most meaningful experiences of a person's life — not because they are pleasant, though they can be, but because they feel fundamentally true. The medicine does not create new content. It reveals what was already there, waiting. And in that revelation, profound emotional release becomes not only possible but natural.

    The demand this places on the participant is real. Confronting what has been suppressed — sometimes for decades — without the usual psychological armor is not comfortable. The psilocybin session earns its power through a genuine encounter. The person arrives at the end of that day different — more open, more raw, more in contact with dimensions of themselves they had lost access to. And also more vulnerable than they have been in years.

    MDMA: The Great Integrator
    MDMA operates through an entirely different mechanism and addresses an entirely different problem. The fundamental obstacle to healing trauma is not that people lack access to their pain — often they have too much access, in the form of retraumatization and hyperarousal. The obstacle is that the nervous system cannot simultaneously be inside the threat response and perform the metabolic work of processing and rewriting traumatic memory.

    MDMA solves this directly. By significantly dampening amygdala reactivity while simultaneously flooding the system with the neurochemical signature of safety, connection, and self-compassion, it creates a neurological state that does not exist naturally — one in which the person is fully emotionally open and physiologically safe at the same time. It gently reduces fear and defensiveness while dramatically increasing emotional openness, making it possible to approach painful memories without being overwhelmed by them. Fear extinction research confirms this is not merely a subjective experience. The brain is literally performing a function during MDMA-assisted therapy that it cannot access in ordinary states.

    MDMA also opens the relational field in ways that psilocybin does not emphasize. It produces profound states of trust, empathy, and interpersonal connection — enhancing communication and dissolving the walls that keep people isolated from themselves and from each other.

    For couples, this quality is transformative in itself: MDMA allows partners to address deep relational wounds in a loving, open-hearted space, while psilocybin the day before has already fostered the deeper sense of unity and shared purpose that makes genuine reconciliation possible. The combination does not just improve communication — it rewrites the relational architecture from which two people operate.

    MDMA nurtures self-acceptance at a level that makes the insights from psilocybin integrable with love rather than judgment. The person can turn toward what was unearthed the day before — the grief, the shame, the fragmented self-parts — with the same compassionate attention a deeply attuned parent would offer a frightened child. They become simultaneously the one who was wounded and the one capable of witnessing and metabolizing that wound.

    Why the Sequence and Not the Reverse
    The directionality matters enormously. Psilocybin first, MDMA second, is not arbitrary — it is the logical order of a complete therapeutic arc. Excavation before integration. You cannot integrate what has not yet been surfaced, and you cannot safely surface everything under MDMA's relational warmth alone, because MDMA's amygdala suppression can sometimes create a positive state that bypasses rather than encounters the deeper material.

    Psilocybin goes beneath the defended self. MDMA creates the conditions in which what was found beneath can be metabolized with love. Together they form a complete cycle — the wound opens on day one, and closes with new information written into it on day two.

    Healing Trauma, Depression, and Anxiety
    For trauma and PTSD, this sequence creates something that has been historically difficult to achieve therapeutically: the simultaneous presence of emotional access and physiological safety. Psilocybin surfaces the wound. MDMA holds it. Together they create the precise conditions in which traumatic memory can be reprocessed rather than merely revisited — moving from something that organizes and constricts a life, to something that has been genuinely metabolized and no longer holds the same power.

    For depression and anxiety, the results follow the same logic. Psilocybin breaks the calcified loops — the ruminative thought patterns, the narrative of hopelessness, the sense of disconnection from life and meaning. MDMA then provides the experiential counterevidence at a felt, somatic level: that safety is real, that connection is possible, that the self is worthy of compassion. This combination brings relief that traditional therapies may take years to approach, often achieved in a single carefully held container.

    Why This Approach Is Safe in Therapeutic Context
    Unlike alcohol and many widely accepted substances, both MDMA and psilocybin have low toxicity profiles, are non-addictive, and do not create physical dependence. In a properly held ceremonial and therapeutic setting, doses are precisely calibrated, the environment is deliberately designed to support surrender and safety, and experienced guides maintain an unwavering container throughout the entire process. This is not recreational use. It is medicine administered with the full weight of professional responsibility, allowing participants to surrender completely to the process with genuine trust and confidence.

    What Becomes Possible
    The outcomes reported from combined protocols point consistently toward a cluster of effects that neither medicine produces as reliably alone: rapid dissolution of chronic shame, reorganization of traumatic memory from overwhelming to integrated, dramatic increases in self-compassion and relational capacity, and a felt sense of meaning that persists long after the sessions themselves have ended.

    This is not about peak experience for its own sake. It is about permanently altering the internal architecture in which a person lives. The wounds do not disappear. Your relationship to those wounds changes — instead of your life being shaped by them, you’ve worked through them and can move forward from a healthier place.

    By combining these two powerful medicines in deliberate sequence, the healing journey becomes more profound, more effective, and more accelerated — unlocking new levels of emotional freedom, self-discovery, and inner peace that neither medicine, standing alone, can fully deliver. This is the architecture Indriya brings to its retreats: not a shortcut, but a compression — years of therapeutic work made possible in days, because the precise neurological and relational conditions for that work are deliberately and carefully created.

  • At Indriya, some retreat unfolds across two ceremonial sessions, each with its own medicine, its own quality of experience, and its own essential role in the healing arc.

    The Inner Exploration Session is the psilocybin ceremony. Psilocybin is a naturally occurring compound found in certain mushrooms that has been used in indigenous healing traditions for thousands of years. In this session, the medicine works by quieting the part of the mind that maintains your everyday story — the narrator that manages, defends, and filters your experience of yourself and the world. When that quiets, what lies beneath becomes visible. Buried emotions surface. Long-held patterns become transparent. Past experiences can be seen with new clarity and compassion. An Inner Exploration is exactly that — a deep descent into the truth of who you are, beneath the layers of conditioning, protection, and noise. It can be challenging, revelatory, and profoundly meaningful. Most participants describe it as one of the most honest encounters with themselves they have ever had.

    A Heart-Opening Session is the MDMA ceremony, held the following day. MDMA works through a fundamentally different pathway — rather than excavating, it creates the precise inner conditions in which what was revealed the day before can be met with safety, warmth, and self-compassion. The nervous system's fear response softens. A deep sense of trust and openness arises naturally. Participants find they can turn toward their pain, their patterns, and their relationships — including their relationship with themselves — with a quality of loving attention that is often difficult to access in ordinary life. What the Inner Exploration surfaces, a Heart-Opening Session allows you to hold, process, and integrate.

    Together, these two ceremonies form a complete healing arc. The first opens what needs to be seen. The second creates the conditions in which it can be truly healed.

    Legal Context
    The combined ceremonial use of psilocybin and MDMA as described here is only available in jurisdictions where it can be conducted legally and safely. Portugal is one such example, where the personal use of these substances has been decriminalized, creating a lawful context in which this work can be offered with full transparency and professional integrity

  • No. We have deep respect for ayahuasca and the Amazonian traditions that have carried this medicine for thousands of years. It is a powerful and sacred plant with its own distinct intelligence and its own lineage of knowledge. We do not work with it — not because we consider it lesser, but because we made a deliberate choice.

    Psilocybin mushrooms and ayahuasca can open similar territories of inner experience. Both create conditions for profound emotional release, expanded awareness, and genuine transformation. The destination is often the same. The journey there is significantly different.

    The Ayahuasca experience frequently involves significant physical purging, nausea, and discomfort. For many people, this is part of the medicine. For many others, it becomes the primary obstacle to genuine inner work.

    We chose psilocybin mushrooms because they are considerably gentler on the body, creating conditions where the inner work can happen without the nervous system being simultaneously occupied with physical discomfort, allowing people to go as deep as they are ready to go.

  • This is one of the most important questions anyone can ask before choosing how to work with these medicines — and it deserves an honest answer.

    Clinical research has contributed enormously to the mainstream legitimacy of psilocybin and MDMA. Studies from Johns Hopkins, Imperial College London, and other institutions have produced valuable data that is slowly shifting how the medical world understands consciousness and healing. This research matters, and we respect it.

    However, clinical research has significant limitations that are rarely acknowledged openly.

    Most clinical studies are conducted within regulatory frameworks that restrict dosage to levels considered medically conservative. Participants in clinical trials rarely receive the doses at which the medicine has been used ceremonially for thousands of years — the doses at which the deepest experiences consistently occur. This is not a scientific decision. It is a regulatory and liability decision, shaped in part by the pharmaceutical interests that fund much of this research and that have a vested interest in positioning these medicines as patentable clinical products rather than freely available tools for human consciousness.

    Set and setting — the mindset you bring and the environment in which the experience takes place — are not secondary variables. They are arguably the most important factors in determining what the medicine opens and how safely it can be navigated. A clinical environment, however well-intentioned, is a medical environment. Fluorescent lighting, hospital protocols, liability frameworks, and the inherent power dynamic between patient and clinician create a fundamentally different field from that of a carefully prepared ceremonial space in a natural environment.

    The ceremonial context is not a lesser version of the clinical one. In many ways, it is the original version — the one that existed for thousands of years before clinical research was conceived. Indigenous and shamanic traditions across every continent have worked with plant medicines in natural settings, with experienced guides, within frameworks of ritual and meaning, at doses that produce genuinely transformative states. This knowledge was not discovered by modern research. It was suppressed, dismissed, and criminalized for decades — and is now being partially rediscovered and repackaged by institutions that rarely acknowledge the lineages they are drawing from.

    Clinical trials, while valuable, do not overwrite thousands of years of embodied ceremonial knowledge. They complement it — when approached with genuine humility.

    What an experienced ceremonial facilitator brings is no less than what a clinical researcher brings. It is different and, for many people, more complete. The capacity to hold space, to read the energy of a room, to navigate non-ordinary states with precision, to work within a framework of genuine care rather than protocol compliance, to draw on ancient techniques refined across generations, are the core competencies of this work, developed through direct experience rather than academic study.

    At Indriya, our facilitation combines science and ceremony, and is led by people who have experienced these states and know what genuine support in this territory requires. However, we acknowledge and find it important that, with certain health conditions, only a clinical setting is advised.

  • This question matters more than most people realize — because the same substance in two different contexts can produce experiences so different they are almost incomparable.

    Recreational use typically happens without preparation, without intention, without professional support, and without any structured framework for understanding or integrating what arises. The setting is often social, stimulating, and unpredictable. The dose may be poorly calibrated. No one present understands how to navigate difficulty if it arises. What happens is largely left to chance — and while recreational experiences can sometimes be positive, they can also be confusing, destabilizing, or simply shallow precisely because nothing was created to give them depth or direction.

    Ceremonial use is a fundamentally different category. Not a safer or more organized version of the same thing — a different thing entirely.
    In a ceremonial context:

    • Intention is set deliberately — you arrive knowing why you are here and what you are genuinely seeking, which orients the experience from the beginning.

    • The environment is prepared — the space, the atmosphere, the music, the energy of the room are all held with specific attention to creating conditions for genuine inner work.

    • The dose is calibrated to your individual history, your psychological readiness, and the specific work you are here to do.

    • Experienced facilitators are present — people who have navigated these states themselves, who can read what is happening in the room, who know how to support difficulty without suppressing it, and how to hold space without directing it.

    • Preparation precedes the experience — so you arrive oriented, grounded, and genuinely ready rather than simply present.

    • Integration follows the experience — so what opened has somewhere to go and a framework to land in, rather than simply fading back into ordinary life unprocessed.

    The difference between recreational and ceremonial use is not primarily about safety, though safety is significantly higher in a ceremonial context. It is about depth, direction, and what becomes possible when the experience is genuinely held. A recreational experience may open a door briefly and then close it again. A ceremonial experience, properly prepared and properly integrated, can change the trajectory of a life.

    The medicine is the same. Everything around it is different. And everything around it is what determines what the medicine can actually do.

  • Every journey unfolds differently. These medicines work in response to where you are in your own process—what opens, and how deeply, is always personal.

    Deeper self-connection
    You begin to experience a more intimate relationship with yourself — your emotions, your inner world, your body, and your inner truth. This work supports a deeper sense of presence within your own being, helping you feel more at home in yourself.

    Personal healing from within
    Healing is not something given by a teacher, guide, or external authority. It arises from your own inner intelligence and higher self. This journey supports your natural capacity for self-healing by creating the conditions for awareness, safety, and inner listening. The process is guided, but the healing comes from within you.

    Spiritual and mystical awareness
    For some, this inner work may open the door to spiritual or mystical experiences — moments of deep presence, unity, transcendence, or connection with something greater than the personal self. These experiences are neither forced nor sought, but may arise naturally as part of inner openness and expanded awareness.

    Awareness and clarity
    Old patterns, stories, and conditioned beliefs begin to loosen, making space for new perspectives, understanding, and insight. You start to see yourself and your life with greater honesty and clarity.

    Emotional balance
    You learn to meet your inner world with more gentleness, patience, and compassion. Emotions become something you can hold, understand, and integrate, rather than avoid or suppress.

    Creativity and inspiration
    Your inner world opens, allowing fresh ideas, new visions, and renewed motivation to arise naturally. Creativity becomes a form of expression, not a source of pressure.

    Inner strength and self-trust
    You reconnect with your own inner guidance, resilience, and natural wisdom. Trust begins to shift from external sources toward your own inner knowing and intuition.

    Connection with others
    Empathy, understanding, and presence deepen, supporting more conscious, honest, and loving relationships. As self-connection grows, connection with others becomes more authentic and grounded.

    Purpose and direction
    Clarity grows around what truly matters to you, what feels meaningful, and how you want to live. Direction arises from alignment rather than obligation.

    Freedom from limiting patterns
    Old habits, emotional responses, and unconscious patterns begin to soften, creating space for healthier, more conscious ways of being. Change happens gently, through awareness rather than force.

  • No. Indriya retreats are not therapy or medical treatment. We are not a clinical service, and we do not diagnose, treat, or manage any medical or psychological condition.

    We create space for genuine personal reflection, inner exploration, and conscious growth — carefully prepared, professionally facilitated, and supported through integration.

    Our work is informed by the growing body of scientific research into non-ordinary states of consciousness. The intention of an Indriya retreat is personal insight, self-awareness, and meaningful integration into everyday life — not clinical intervention.

    If you are currently under psychiatric care or managing a diagnosed condition, we encourage you to consult your healthcare provider before applying. Our intake process is designed to carefully and honestly assess suitability for your safety.

    Participation in the programs is always voluntary and based on informed consent.

  • Set & Setting — The Foundation of the Experience

    Every inner experience is influenced by two important elements often referred to as set and setting.

    Set refers to the inner state you bring with you — your mindset, emotions, intentions, and openness.

    Setting refers to the environment in which the experience takes place — the space, the atmosphere, the natural surroundings, and the people present.

    Our retreats take place in carefully chosen natural environments that support calm, quiet, and a sense of safety. Nature plays an important role in creating a grounded atmosphere where participants can slow down, relax, and become more present.

    When the body feels safe and relaxed, the mind often becomes quieter and more receptive to reflection and inner awareness. A peaceful environment can help reduce tension and overstimulation, allowing participants to approach the experience with greater ease and trust.

    Preparation Before the Ceremony

    Before the ceremony begins, time is dedicated to preparation and orientation. This allows participants to understand the structure of the retreat and approach the experience with clarity and awareness.

    During this preparation we share information about topics such as:

    • The nature of non-ordinary states of consciousness
    • Psychological and emotional processes that may arise during deep reflection
    • The role of the nervous system and the body in inner experiences
    • How perception and awareness may shift in reflective states
    • The importance of integration and grounding after the retreat

    Our intention is to provide clear and accessible information so participants feel informed and prepared. These discussions draw on both contemporary research and lived human experience, presented in a grounded and responsible way.

    The Ceremony Space

    The ceremony itself begins with a period of quiet meditation or grounding. This helps participants settle into the space and arrive with presence and calm.

    Participants are free to sit, rest, or lie down in a comfortable position. No previous meditation experience is required.

    Throughout the ceremony, the environment is held with care and attentiveness. Music, sound, and the surrounding atmosphere are used to support a calm and reflective space. Participants are always free to rest, change position, step outside for fresh air, or speak with a facilitator if they need support.

    Each person’s experience is unique. Some participants may spend time in quiet reflection, while others may experience emotional release, personal insight, or simply a sense of stillness and presence.

    Personal boundaries, autonomy, and individual pacing are always respected. The intention of the space is to remain calm, supportive, and respectful, allowing participants to move through their experience in a way that feels natural for them.

  • First, it is worth reframing what "not working" actually means. In the vast majority of cases, the medicines are working — but not always in the way the participant expected or hoped for. A session that felt confusing, uncomfortable, or even disappointing on the surface can carry some of the most significant therapeutic material. Integration in the weeks following the retreat often reveals that what felt like "nothing happened" was in fact a deep and quiet reorganization taking place beneath the level of dramatic experience. Many participants report that their most seemingly uneventful session produced the most lasting shifts.

    That said, there are genuine reasons why a session may not reach its full potential, and understanding them is part of responsible preparation.


    Resistance and the Defended Nervous System

    The most common reason a session does not go deep is not the medicine — it is the nervous system's protective response. Years of conditioning have built sophisticated defenses, and those defenses do not always dissolve simply because a substance has been ingested. The thinking mind can fight the experience, analyze it from a distance, or keep the person in a state of vigilance that prevents full surrender. This is not a failure. It is information about where the real work lies, and it is precisely why preparation, intention-setting, and the quality of the facilitation container matter as much as the medicine itself.


    Set and Setting

    The concept of set and setting — mindset and environment — is foundational in psychedelic therapy for a reason. A participant who arrives carrying unresolved acute stress, significant life disruption, or unprocessed anxiety about the experience itself will have a different session than one who arrives rested, prepared, and genuinely open. The physical environment, the quality of the music, the presence and attunement of the facilitators, the relationships within the group — all of these directly condition what becomes possible. Indriya designs every element of the retreat environment with this understanding as its foundation.


    Dosage and Individual Biochemistry

    Every human nervous system is unique. Metabolism, body weight, genetic variations in serotonin receptor sensitivity, prior exposure to similar substances, and current medications can all influence how deeply a person responds to a given dose. In some cases, a session that felt mild is simply a question of individual biochemistry that can be addressed and adjusted in subsequent work.


    Prior Medication and Long-Term Pharmaceutical Use

    One of the most significant and often underestimated factors affecting the depth of a psychedelic session is long-term pharmaceutical medication, particularly psychiatric medication. Years of antidepressant use — especially SSRIs and SNRIs — can substantially blunt the response to both psilocybin and MDMA. This is not a rare edge case. It is a common reality for a significant proportion of people who seek this work, precisely because they have been managing depression, anxiety, or trauma through conventional pharmaceutical pathways before discovering psychedelic-assisted approaches.

    SSRIs work by occupying the same serotonin receptors that psilocybin and MDMA engage. When those receptors have been chronically downregulated through years of pharmaceutical use, the medicines have less available surface through which to work. The result can be a session that feels flat, muted, or simply does not reach the depth the participant hoped for — not because the medicine failed, but because the neurological terrain has been significantly altered by prior treatment.

    This does not mean that people on long-term medication cannot do this work. It means that medication history is a critical part of the preparation conversation, and in some cases, a medically supervised tapering process may be recommended before a retreat — always under the guidance of a qualified physician and never abruptly or without professional support. This is one of the many reasons Indriya's medical screening process is thorough and individual rather than generic. Every participant's pharmaceutical history is taken seriously, assessed carefully, and factored into how we prepare them for their experience and what we can honestly offer them in terms of likely depth and outcome.


    Unfinished Business Requires More Than One Session

    Some of the deepest wounds have been protecting themselves for decades. A single retreat, however well held, is not always sufficient to reach them. This doesn’t mean the medicine or the setting failed — it is the honest reality of working with complex human psychology. Profound change is possible in a single retreat. It is also true that some people require multiple experiences over time before the deepest layers become accessible. This is why Indriya's approach emphasizes the full arc — preparation, ceremony, and integration — as an ongoing process rather than a single event.


    What Indriya Does When a Session Feels Incomplete

    Our facilitators are trained to recognize when a participant has not fully engaged with the experience and to address it in the integration sessions that follow. What did not open during the ceremony can often be approached through integration practices, breathwork, somatic work, and continued inner inquiry in the weeks after the retreat. The medicine session is the door. Integration is the room you live in afterward. A session that felt incomplete does not mean the process has failed — it means the work continues, and Indriya's support structure is designed to hold that continuation.


    An Honest Note

    There are people for whom this work, at this time, is not the right path. Certain psychological conditions, particular life circumstances, or a fundamental lack of readiness can mean that even a well-held retreat does not produce the shift a person seeks. This is precisely why Indriya's screening process exists — not as a barrier, but as a service. We would rather tell someone honestly that the timing is not right than invite them into a process they are not yet equipped to meet. If that is the case, we will always offer guidance toward what we believe would serve them better at this stage of their journey.

    The medicine works with what you bring. The more honestly and thoroughly you prepare, the more completely you surrender, and the more seriously you engage with integration afterward — the more fully the experience can do what it is designed to do.

  • Our retreats are held in an atmosphere of calm, openness, and genuine human connection. People arrive from different walks of life, often carrying different intentions, yet something beautiful tends to unfold when everyone gathers with sincerity and curiosity about their inner world.

    Participants often share moments of laughter, tears, quiet reflection, and deep presence. These shared experiences can naturally create a sense of kindness, humility, and compassion within the group.

    While meaningful connections sometimes arise between participants, the most important relationship explored during the retreat is the one you develop with yourself — your own inner strength, insight, and awareness.

    If meeting new people initially feels uncomfortable, this is completely natural. Many participants find that as the retreat unfolds and a sense of trust develops within the group, they begin to feel more at ease and open to the shared experience.

    At the same time, personal boundaries and individual needs are always respected. If you prefer quiet reflection and personal space, you are fully supported in moving through the retreat in a way that feels right for you.

  • Participation in group preparation and integration activities is optional, though many participants find them valuable.

    These gatherings often take the form of sharing circles or guided discussions, where participants can reflect on their experiences and listen to others in a respectful and supportive environment. For many people, this creates a sense of community and mutual understanding during the retreat.

    Everyone arrives with their own intentions and personal reflections, and conversations may naturally arise both within the group and in smaller one-to-one moments.

    While participants usually begin as strangers, many people appreciate the meaningful connections that can develop over the course of the retreat. At the same time, personal boundaries are always respected, and you are free to engage at a level that feels comfortable for you.

  • Yes. Our retreats welcome participants who are new to this type of inner exploration, as well as those who already have experience with meditation or non-ordinary states of consciousness.

    No prior experience is required to participate in our programs. Our team provides preparation guidance and ongoing support throughout the retreat, helping participants approach the experience with clarity and confidence.

    We aim to create a respectful and supportive environment where everyone can move through the retreat at their own pace, whether it is their first experience or part of a longer personal path.

  • Yes. We offer private retreat experiences for individuals, couples, or small groups who prefer a more personal and intimate setting.

    These retreats follow the same preparation, guidance, and integration framework as our group programs, while allowing the experience to unfold in a more individualized environment.

    In certain cases, private retreats may be arranged in alternative locations where appropriate and in accordance with local regulations. Please contact us to discuss possibilities or explore our private retreat options.

  • We are happy to recommend nearby accommodation if you would like to extend your stay in the area before or after the retreat.

    For the best overall experience, we encourage participants to attend the retreat from beginning to end. The program includes opening and closing circles that help provide context, preparation, and integration for the shared experience.

    While we recommend being present for the full program, we understand that personal circumstances may vary. If you have specific timing needs, please contact us in advance so we can discuss what may be possible.

EDUCATION ON PSYCHEDELICS

  • MDMA is a psychoactive compound that has been studied in regulated scientific and clinical research settings for its temporary effects on emotional openness, empathy, and self-reflection. Rather than numbing or suppressing experience, research settings have explored how MDMA may allow individuals to engage with thoughts and memories with reduced fear responses and increased clarity of awareness.

  • Over the past two decades, universities and medical research institutions have conducted carefully controlled studies exploring the potential role of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy.

    One of the most widely known research programs has been led by the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) in collaboration with researchers and clinicians in the United States and Europe. In Phase 3 clinical trials investigating MDMA-assisted therapy for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a significant percentage of participants experienced substantial reductions in PTSD symptoms compared with placebo groups.

    Other studies have explored MDMA’s effects on emotional processing, interpersonal trust, and the ability to approach difficult memories with reduced fear and greater emotional clarity. Because of these findings, regulatory agencies in several countries have begun evaluating MDMA-assisted therapy within formal medical approval processes.

    It is important to note that this research takes place in regulated clinical environments under medical supervision, with trained therapists and strict safety protocols.

  • Psilocybin is a naturally occurring compound found in certain species of mushrooms. It temporarily changes how different regions of the brain communicate with one another — creating conditions for new perspectives, emotional openings, and insights that ordinary states of mind rarely allow.

    Researchers at institutions including Johns Hopkins University and Imperial College London have studied psilocybin extensively over the past two decades. Participants in these studies frequently described their experiences as among the most meaningful of their lives. Research has also explored its potential influence on depression, anxiety, PTSD, and the brain's capacity to form new patterns of thought and feeling.

    At Indriya, we work with this medicine not as a clinical tool but as a catalyst for genuine inner exploration — held within careful preparation, experienced facilitation, and structured integration. Every journey unfolds differently, and outcomes vary from person to person.

  • Psilocybin, the naturally occurring compound found in certain mushroom species, has been the subject of extensive scientific research exploring non-ordinary states of consciousness and their effects on the human mind.

    When psilocybin is metabolized in the body, it interacts with serotonin receptors in the brain and temporarily changes the way different brain regions communicate with one another. Modern brain imaging studies have shown that these altered states are associated with increased neural connectivity and enhanced neuroplasticity, meaning the brain becomes more flexible in how it processes information and forms new perspectives.

    Researchers believe this temporary shift in brain activity may help people move beyond rigid patterns of thinking and experience new ways of relating to their thoughts, emotions, and life experiences.

    Psychological Insight and Perspective
    Many participants in research studies report gaining meaningful insights about their lives, relationships, and personal patterns. These experiences can sometimes lead to shifts in how individuals understand themselves and the world around them.

    Emotional Openness and Connection
    People often describe feelings of emotional clarity, compassion, and connection with others, nature, or their own inner experience during these states.

    Creativity and New Ways of Thinking
    Because psilocybin temporarily alters habitual brain networks, some researchers believe it may help individuals approach challenges with greater creativity and fresh perspective.

    Meaningful or Transformative Experiences
    In studies conducted at Johns Hopkins University, a large majority of participants rated their psilocybin experience among the most personally meaningful events of their lives. These experiences were often associated with lasting changes in attitudes, mood, and sense of meaning months later.

    Clinical Research
    In controlled clinical trials at institutions such as Johns Hopkins University, Imperial College London, and other research centers, psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy has shown promising results in research exploring conditions such as treatment-resistant depression, anxiety related to serious illness, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and addiction. These studies take place within carefully regulated medical settings with trained therapists and strict safety protocols.

    At Indriya retreats, these topics are shared in an educational context as part of a broader exploration of consciousness and personal reflection. Our retreats are not medical or psychological treatment and are not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any condition.

  • In ceremonial contexts, psilocybin-containing mushrooms are sometimes prepared in different forms to make the experience easier for participants. One common approach involves drying the mushrooms, grinding them into a fine powder, and mixing the powder with lemon juice and warm water to create a tea-like drink.

    Some people find that this preparation method is easier on the stomach and allows the body to process the material more comfortably.

    Individual practices can vary depending on the ceremonial setting.

  • Working with psilocybin is not only a question of numbers or grams. The potency of mushrooms can vary naturally depending on the species, strain, growing conditions, and maturity of the mushroom. Because of this, the same weight of mushrooms may produce very different levels of intensity.

    For this reason, experienced ceremonial traditions often approach dosing with care, awareness, and respect for individual differences, rather than relying on a single fixed quantity.

    Each person’s sensitivity, life experience, emotional state, and intention can influence how the experience unfolds. Some participants feel more comfortable with gentler experiences, while others may feel ready for deeper inner exploration.

    What matters most is not the quantity itself, but the quality of preparation, the safety of the environment, and the integration that follows. The retreat setting is designed to support participants in approaching these experiences thoughtfully and responsibly, with space for reflection and personal insight.

    Ultimately, every journey is unique, and participants are encouraged to listen carefully to their own inner process and personal boundaries throughout the experience.

APPLICATION & BOOKING

  • I. For returning participants
    If you have previously attended an Indriya retreat, simply email us (hello@indriyaretreats.com‍) with the date and location of the retreat you would like to join. There is no need to complete the application form again.

    II. For new applicants, the process includes a few simple steps:

    Step 1: Application Form

    Complete the online application form by clicking the Apply button on our website. The form includes three short sections:

    Personal Information
    Basic contact details and information that help us get to know you.

    Health and Background Information
    To help us understand whether the retreat environment is appropriate for you, we ask a few questions about your health history and current circumstances. Please answer these questions as honestly as possible.

    Consent and Participation Agreement
    This section outlines important information about the retreat experience and includes our policies and participation guidelines.

    Once submitted, our team reviews the application and typically responds within three business days. If your application is suitable for the program, we will invite you to the next step: a short introductory conversation.

    All personal information shared in the application process is treated confidentially and with respect for your privacy.

    Step 2: Introductory Call

    After reviewing your application, we arrange a 30-minute online call. This is an opportunity for you to ask questions, learn more about the retreat, and discuss whether the experience feels aligned for you.

    We also take time to understand your intentions and ensure the retreat environment is appropriate for your participation.

    If both sides feel comfortable moving forward, you will be invited to reserve your place.

    Step 3: Reservation

    Your place can be secured with a 30% deposit. The remaining balance is typically due 30 days before the retreat begins.

  • We encourage you to schedule a call to discuss any questions or concerns.

  • We aim to offer a clear and fair cancellation policy for all participants.

    Deposit

    • A 30% deposit is required to secure your place in the retreat. The deposit is non-refundable, as it reserves your space in a limited group.

    Participant Cancellation

    • If you cancel 30 days or more before the retreat start date, you will receive a full refund of any payments made, minus the 30% deposit.

    • If you cancel 15–29 days before the retreat start date, 50% of the total retreat price will be refunded.

    • If you cancel 14 days or less before the retreat start date, the retreat payment is non-refundable.

    Organizer Cancellation

    • If the retreat is cancelled by the organizers for any reason, all payments made will be fully refunded.

  • We welcome voluntary contributions from participants who wish to support broader access to our retreats.

    These contributions help us offer community-supported places for individuals who feel called to participate but may not currently have the financial means to attend. In many retreats, this support allows at least one participant from the local community or a lower-income background to join the program.

    We are grateful for the generosity that helps make these opportunities possible. Your support contributes to creating a retreat environment where people from different backgrounds can come together for reflection, learning, and personal exploration.

PREPARATION & INTEGRATION

  • The application is the first step in our process. It includes a short screening section that helps us understand your background, health history, and current circumstances — so we can assess together whether this is the right experience for you at this moment in your life.

    Once submitted, our team will carefully review your application. You will usually hear from us within 3 to 5 business days.

  • Preparation is an important part of the retreat experience. Taking time to slow down, reflect, and create space around your participation can help you approach the retreat with greater clarity and openness.

    As part of your preparation, we ask all participants to follow these guidelines in the two weeks before arrival:

    Diet: We ask you to follow a vegetarian diet for at least two weeks before the retreat, avoiding alcohol, recreational substances, and, if possible, caffeine. Eating lightly and cleanly in the days immediately before arrival supports both physical readiness and the sensitivity of the experience.

    Journaling and Intention Setting: We provide a guided preparation program including journaling prompts and intention-setting exercises. Taking time each day to reflect on why you are coming, what you are carrying, and what you are genuinely hoping for helps you arrive with clarity rather than simply expectation.

    Digital Detox: We encourage you to begin reducing your screen time and social media use in the days leading up to the retreat. The retreat itself is a space of digital detoxification — beginning that process before you arrive supports a smoother transition into genuine presence.

    Rest and Simplicity: Avoid overscheduling the days immediately before arrival. Where possible, spend time in nature, sleep well, and limit intense social engagements. Arriving rested and relatively still makes a significant difference to how the experience unfolds.

    Medications: If you are currently taking any prescription medications, please fully disclose them in your application. Certain medications interact with the medicines we work with and require careful consideration before participation.

    The preparation program is sent to you in full after your application is accepted. You will not navigate this alone — we guide you through each step.

  • Yes, we offer reliable educational resources to help you prepare:

    Dr. Matthew Johnson | The “heroic dose” of psychedelics on YouTube

    Andrew Huberman | Podcast

    Fantastic Fungi | Netflix Official Trailer

    How to change your mind | Netflix Official Trailer

    How to Change Your Mind | Book by Michael Pollan

  • Usually, we ask you to bring comfortable light clothing, a notebook and pen, an eye cover, a good spirit, and a big smile. Further details will be sent based on the retreat you choose.

  • The retreat itself is only one part of the journey. What happens in the weeks that follow is when the real work of integration begins — when the insights, openings, and shifts that arose during the experience find their way into the fabric of your daily life.

    Following the retreat, you will receive a structured three-week integration program designed specifically to support what arose during your experience. Each week builds on the last, moving from initial settling and witnessing, through deeper reflection and dialogue with what surfaced, toward practical and lasting integration into everyday life.

    Three Weeks of Guided Integration
    The program includes daily journaling prompts to keep the inner channel open and the process alive. Each prompt is designed to meet you where you are rather than where you think you should be — honest, accessible, and requiring no prior experience with this kind of practice.

    One-on-One Integration Call
    You will also receive a dedicated one-on-one integration session with a member of our team. This is a space to explore what arose during your retreat, ask questions, gain clarity on anything that felt confusing or unresolved, and receive personalised guidance for moving forward.

    Community Access
    Following the retreat, you will have lifetime access to the Indriya community — a space to connect with others who have done this work, share what is alive in your process, and find ongoing support beyond the formal integration period.

    Ongoing Support
    Integration does not end after three weeks. If something continues to ask for attention, if questions arise, if the process deepens, or if you simply need a space to be heard, we remain available. Additional integration sessions can be arranged as needed.

ABOUT INDRIYA

  • Many things set Indriya apart, but at the core is a single commitment: to hold this work with the depth it deserves.

    Where Science and Ancient Wisdom Meet
    We do not choose between scientific research and traditional ceremonial knowledge — we draw on both. The growing body of clinical research on non-ordinary states of consciousness informs our understanding of what happens in these experiences. The ancient ceremonial traditions that worked with these medicines for thousands of years inform how we hold them. Neither is complete without the other.

    We are Guides, Not Masters
    We do not consider ourselves masters, nor do we position ourselves as authorities over your inner process. We are experienced guides who have walked this territory ourselves — and who understand that the wisdom in this work ultimately belongs to you, not to us. Our role is to hold the space with skill and care while you do what only you can do.

    A Space Without Judgment
    Whatever you carry into this work — your history, your struggles, your contradictions, your questions — is welcome here. We cultivate an environment where nothing needs to be performed, hidden, or managed. Inner exploration requires safety, and safety requires the complete absence of judgment.

    Structure That Breathes
    We do have a framework, specific preparations we ask of participants, and certain foundations we establish before every ceremony. These exist because they genuinely matter. But we do not hold rigidly to rules for their own sake. Every person is different. Every ceremony unfolds in its own way. We adapt to what arises in the room, in the moment, and in each individual — because genuine facilitation is responsive, not scripted.

    Experienced Facilitation
    Our facilitators bring 2 decades of direct experience working with non-ordinary states — not only as guides but as practitioners who have navigated this territory themselves. We understand from the inside what genuine support in this work requires.

    Set and Setting as Foundation
    The environment in which an experience takes place is not secondary — it is central. We place extraordinary attention on creating spaces that are calm, safe, beautiful, and energetically prepared. The outer environment supports the inner one.

    Preparation and Integration as Essential
    Most of what determines the lasting value of this work happens before and after the ceremony itself. Our structured preparation program and three-week integration support are not add-ons. They are the architecture that allows genuine transformation to take root.

    Individual Attention Within a Held Space
    Every participant arrives with their own history, intentions, and needs. We take time to understand each person — and hold space for their unique process rather than a generic one.

    Intentionally Small Groups
    This applies specifically to our group retreats —if you are considering a private retreat, you will have the full, undivided presence of your facilitators throughout.

    For group retreats, we deliberately and strictly keep numbers small. We are not a commercial retreat center optimizing for volume. That model may be economically efficient. It is not energetically safe.

    In non-ordinary states of consciousness, the energetic field of a group is not background noise — it is part of the experience itself. Every person in the room contributes to the collective field. When that field is too large, too mixed, or inadequately held, it becomes difficult for any individual to feel truly safe, truly seen, or truly supported. What should be an intimate inner journey can become destabilizing simply because the container around it is not tight enough to hold what arises.

    A small, carefully selected group does something that a large group cannot — it creates a field of genuine mutual presence. People are not strangers passing through the same program. They become witnesses to each other's process. The intimacy of a small group is not a limitation. It is one of the most important conditions we create deliberately.

    A Long-Term Perspective
    We are not interested in powerful experiences that fade. We are interested in genuine, lasting change. Everything we do — from the first conversation to the final integration session — is designed with that long arc in mind.

  • Indriya is a Sanskrit word that refers to the senses and perception—the way we experience and understand the world.

    In our context, Indriya is also a fictional guide who symbolizes conscious exploration, learning, and the integration of inner experiences. Indriya is not a leader or authority figure, but a calm and supportive presence that encourages reflection, awareness, and personal insight.

  • Our retreats include reflective and contemplative practices such as meditation, mindfulness exercises, and elements inspired by various cultural traditions. These practices are offered to support personal reflection and inner awareness.

    At the same time, Indriya does not promote or require adherence to any particular religion, belief system, or spiritual tradition. Participants from all backgrounds and worldviews are welcome.

    Our approach is centered on personal experience, self-inquiry, and respectful exploration. We encourage participants to approach the retreat with openness and curiosity, while honoring their own beliefs, perspectives, and personal paths.

    The retreat environment is designed as a respectful space where people can share insights and experiences with others in a spirit of openness and mutual respect.

SAFETY, RISK & RESPONSIBILITY

  • Careful Screening Before Acceptance
    Every applicant goes through a screening process before being accepted. We review health history, current medications, psychological background, and individual circumstances to assess whether this experience is appropriate for each person at this moment in their life. We take this seriously — because the most important safety decision is made before anyone arrives.

    Experienced Facilitation
    Our facilitation team brings more than two decades of experience supporting people through processes of deep inner exploration. Throughout the retreat, facilitators remain fully present — offering calm guidance, reassurance, and attentive support whenever it is needed.

    Small Groups
    For group retreats, we keep numbers small to ensure each participant receives personal attention and the space remains properly held throughout. Private retreat participants have the full and undivided presence of their facilitators at all times.

    A Framework Without Rigidity
    We have a clear framework that guides every retreat — and we adapt within it. Every person is different. Every ceremony unfolds in its own way. We respond to what arises in the moment and in each individual, because facilitation is responsive, not scripted.

    The Values We Hold the Space With

    • Respect for each person and each individual path.

    • Equality — no hierarchy, no spiritual superiority.

    • Emotional safety — feelings are welcomed and respected.

    • Personal autonomy — your body, your boundaries, your choices.  

    • Free will — participation is always voluntary.

    • Non-coercion — nothing is imposed and nothing is forced.

    • Grounded presence — calm, stable, conscious facilitation.

    • Ethical integrity — clear and respectful boundaries.

    Our intention is to create a space where people can explore their inner world with sincerity, trust, and genuine care.

  • Most participants do not report significant physical discomfort during the retreat experience. However, as with any intense inner process, some people may occasionally experience mild physical sensations such as temporary nausea, fatigue, or a slight headache.

    These sensations are usually short-lived and often pass as the experience unfolds. Staying hydrated and allowing the body to rest can help support overall comfort.

    Throughout the retreat, facilitators remain present to offer reassurance and practical support if participants feel uncomfortable or need assistance.

    As with all experiences of this nature, individual responses can vary from person to person.

  • This is one of the reasons our screening process exists. Certain physical and mental health conditions — including some psychiatric diagnoses and medications — are not compatible with this work. Our intake process is designed to assess this carefully and individually before anyone is accepted. Not everyone is a suitable candidate, and we take that responsibility seriously.

    For those who are suitable:

    • No physical dependence — unlike alcohol, nicotine, or many prescription medications, the body does not become addicted to psilocybin

    • Low physiological toxicity — a ceremonial dose is considerably gentler on the body than a glass of wine, and leaves no hangover

    • Mild temporary physical sensations — some people experience occasional nausea, fatigue, or brief discomfort in the early stages, which are generally short-lived in a well-held environment

    • Psychological risk is possible — a challenging experience can arise, particularly without proper preparation, adequate support, or the right environment — which is precisely why set, setting, and experienced facilitation matter as much as they do

    • No evidence of long-term physical harm — current research has not found long-term physical damage from psilocybin used in appropriate settings, though scientific understanding continues to evolve

  • As with psilocybin, this is one of the reasons our screening process exists. Certain physical and mental health conditions, including cardiovascular issues, specific psychiatric diagnoses, and certain medications, are not compatible with MDMA. Our intake process assesses this carefully and individually before anyone is accepted. Not everyone is a suitable candidate, and we take that responsibility seriously.

    For those who are suitable:

    • No physical dependence — research indicates that MDMA does not produce the kind of physical addiction associated with substances such as alcohol, opioids, or stimulants, though psychological attachment to the experience is possible in some individuals.

    • Temporary physical effects — some people experience mild jaw tension, increased heart rate, elevated body temperature, or fatigue during or after the experience. These are generally short-lived and manageable within a well-held environment with proper preparation.

    • Hydration and temperature awareness — MDMA affects the body's ability to regulate temperature. We monitor this actively throughout the experience and provide appropriate guidance on hydration.

    • The day after — some people notice a period of low mood or fatigue in the one to two days following the experience as serotonin levels rebalance. This is normal, temporary, and significantly reduced by proper preparation, rest, and integration support.

    • Medication interactions — MDMA interacts with certain medications, most critically antidepressants and MAOIs. Full disclosure of all medications during the screening process is essential and non-negotiable.

    Growing research support — MDMA-assisted therapy is currently in advanced clinical trials for PTSD at institutions including MAPS, with promising results. The therapeutic potential is significant when used in appropriate settings with proper support.

  • A challenging experience is possible. But understanding where the risk actually comes from changes everything about how you relate to that possibility.

    • Most "bad trips" occur in recreational settings — without preparation, without intention, without experienced support, and without a safe and carefully held environment. The substance meets an unprepared nervous system in an unstable setting with no one present who knows how to help. Under those conditions, difficulty is not surprising — it is almost predictable.

    • Set and setting are the most important factors — the mindset you bring and the environment in which the experience takes place determine more about how it unfolds than the substance itself. This is one of the most consistent findings across decades of research and ceremonial tradition.

    • Intensity is not the same as danger — expanded states can bring emotions, memories, and inner material to the surface that feel unfamiliar or uncomfortable. This is often not something going wrong. It is the medicine doing exactly what it is designed to do. Many people describe their most challenging moments as the most meaningful of the entire experience.

    • Proper preparation significantly reduces risk — a carefully prepared environment, thorough individual screening, experienced facilitation, and genuine intention setting create conditions where the likelihood of a destabilizing experience is substantially lower.

    • You are never alone in it — our facilitators remain fully present throughout, trained to navigate difficulty with calm and experienced presence. You are always free to communicate, slow down, or simply rest

  • If you are currently taking psychiatric or prescription medication, it is important to discuss your situation with a qualified medical professional before applying to the retreat. We cannot provide medical advice or recommend changes to any prescribed treatment.

    Some medications that influence the serotonin system, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) or serotonin–norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), may interact with substances that affect similar pathways in the brain. Because of this, individuals taking such medications are encouraged to speak with their doctor to determine what may be appropriate for their personal circumstances.

    Examples of medications that act on serotonin pathways include drugs such as Zoloft, Prozac, Lexapro, Effexor, Cymbalta, Trintellix, and Buspirone, among others.

    Participants sometimes report that these medications can influence the intensity or character of altered states of awareness. However, individual responses vary and we cannot predict how a particular person may respond.

    For safety reasons, information about current medications is included in the application screening process so we can better understand whether the retreat environment may be appropriate for you.

    Any decisions regarding medication should always be made in consultation with your licensed healthcare provider.

  • The retreat experience is not appropriate for everyone. To support the safety and well-being of all participants, each application goes through a screening process designed to determine whether the retreat environment is suitable for you.

    Our retreats are not medical or psychological treatment, and we do not diagnose, treat, or provide medical advice. If you have any medical or mental health conditions, you should consult a qualified healthcare professional before applying.

    For safety reasons, we may not be able to accept applicants with certain medical or psychological conditions or those currently taking medications that may interact with substances affecting the serotonin system.

    Examples of situations where participation may not be appropriate include:

    Psychological and Mental Health Considerations
    We may not be able to accept applicants who have:

    • A history of psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder

    • Bipolar disorder or a history of manic episodes

    • A history of psychosis or a family history of psychotic disorders

    • Active suicidal thoughts or recent suicide attempts

    • Severe dissociative disorders

    • Severe substance dependence

    • Significant untreated trauma responses

    Medical Considerations
    Participation may not be appropriate for individuals with certain medical conditions, including but not limited to:

    • Serious cardiovascular conditions or uncontrolled high blood pressure

    • History of stroke or certain neurological conditions such as epilepsy

    • Brain tumors or other significant neurological disorders

    • Severe liver or kidney disease

    • Insulin-dependent diabetes or other unstable metabolic conditions

    • Pregnancy

    • Known allergy to mushrooms

    Medications
    Certain medications may interact with substances that influence serotonin pathways in the brain. These may include, for example:

    • Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)

    • Serotonin–norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs)

    • Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)

    • Tricyclic antidepressants

    • Lithium

    • Antipsychotic medications

    • Certain stimulants, sedatives, or medications affecting heart rhythm

    If you are currently taking prescription medication or undergoing medical treatment (including chemotherapy or other serious medical care), it is important to discuss participation with your prescribing healthcare provider before applying.

    Other Health Considerations
    Some medical conditions or treatments may require additional discussion during the application process. These may include certain autoimmune treatments, neurological medications, or respiratory conditions.

    Our screening process helps us determine whether the retreat environment is appropriate for your current situation. In some cases, we may recommend postponing participation until circumstances are more suitable.

    All information shared during the application process is treated confidentially and with respect for your privacy.

    For further details, please review the Indriya Retreats Exclusion Policy.

  • Participants must be at least 21 years old.

LEGALITY & ETHICS

  • Taking into account the stigma surrounding the subject of plant medicine use, we build on mutual trust between participants and organizers. To this end, we encourage and support our participants to share their experiences where they feel trusted and recommend them to those needing a similar opportunity or healing process. All participant's privacy is kept confidential, and all our retreats are safe because we pick our locations very carefully. However, the legal status of psilocybin mushrooms varies widely from country to country and even within different regions of countries. In most parts of the world, magic mushrooms and psilocybin are still illegal. In certain countries, psilocybin is illegal but tolerated (for example, Portugal and Costa Rica). However, thanks to the growing number of scientific studies showing the efficacy of psilocybin, some governments are moving toward legalization:

    Portugal: Portugal decriminalized the possession of all drugs, including psilocybin mushrooms, for personal use in 2001. This means that individuals using small amounts of psilocybin for personal use are subject to administrative, rather than criminal, penalties.

    Netherlands: In the Netherlands, the sale of psilocybin-containing "magic truffles" is tolerated under specific conditions, such as in licensed smart shops. However, it's important to note that this applies to truffles, not mushrooms.

    Brazil: Only psilocybin and psilocin are listed as illegal, but not the fungal species themselves. The Federal Constitution states that an act must be previously stated as illegal by law. Therefore, psilocybin mushrooms cannot be considered illegal themselves. No legal jurisprudences are available on the topic, nor records of people being explicitly arrested for using, growing, or possessing psilocybin mushrooms in the country. They are sold mainly over the internet on specialized websites without facing persecution from Brazilian police.

    United States: Some states and cities had implemented or were considering measures to decriminalize or legalize psilocybin for medical or recreational use. A few US cities (Denver, Oakland, Ann Arbor, Santa Cruz, Cambridge, Somerville, Northampton, Easthampton, Detroit, Seattle, San Francisco, and Washington DC) have decriminalized psychedelics. Two US states, Oregon and Colorado, have passed a measure allowing for the regulated medical use of psilocybin.

    Canada: Health Canada has granted an exemption to some individuals, allowing them to use psilocybin for medical purposes under certain conditions.

    Australia: Cultivation, manufacture, possession, use, and supply of psilocybin is illegal throughout Australia. From July 2023, authorized psychiatrists can prescribe psilocybin for treatment-resistant depression.

    Austria: The personal possession and use of psilocybin mushrooms is not criminalized. Cultivation is technically legal as long as the mushrooms are not harvested. Selling, offering, or providing access to the mushrooms to others is illegal.

    Jamaica: Psilocybin mushrooms have never been made illegal and are openly sold.

    Nepal: Magic Mushrooms are uncontrolled substances.

  • No, and we want to be completely transparent about what we are and what we are not. Our facilitators are not licensed medical doctors, psychiatrists, psychologists, or clinical therapists. We do not provide medical care, psychotherapy, or clinical treatment.

    What we do bring is something different — and in this specific work, genuinely complementary to the clinical world.

    • Two decades of direct experience — our team has spent more than twenty years working directly with non-ordinary states of consciousness. Not as researchers observing from the outside, but as practitioners who have navigated this territory themselves and guided hundreds of people through it.

    • Diverse professional backgrounds — our team brings together expertise in consciousness education, retreat facilitation, hypnotherapy, NLP, meditation, and contemplative practice. Some team members hold formal certifications in specific disciplines. All bring years of direct, hands-on experience with the states we work with.

    • Informed by science and tradition — we follow the growing body of scientific research in this field closely, integrating what is relevant and holding it alongside the ceremonial and contemplative traditions that carried this knowledge for thousands of years before clinical research existed.

    • Presence over credentials — we believe the quality of presence, experience, and genuine care a facilitator brings matters as much as any formal qualification. This is not a dismissal of credentials. It is an honest reflection of what this work actually requires.

    • We encourage professional support alongside this work — for any medical or mental health needs, we always encourage participants to maintain relationships with qualified healthcare professionals. Our work is not a replacement for that. It is a different kind of support entirely.

    What we offer is not a clinical service. It is something rarer — a genuinely held human space where people can explore the deeper layers of their inner world with care, honesty, and the full presence of people who have walked this path themselves and chosen to dedicate their lives to holding it for others.

  • Yes. We treat all personal information shared during the application and retreat process with strict confidentiality. Your information is used only for retreat coordination and participant screening and is accessed only by members of the Indriya team responsible for facilitating the retreat.

    We do not share personal information with third parties unless required by law or with your explicit consent.

  • No. Indriya does not provide or supply psychedelic substances.

    Our retreats are designed as structured, carefully held environments for reflection, education, and guided inner exploration. For this reason, we do not support or facilitate individual journeys outside of the retreat setting.

    Experiences that involve altered states of awareness can be complex and deeply personal. Many traditions and modern research emphasize the importance of preparation, environment, and thoughtful integration when engaging with such experiences.

    Our role is to hold a respectful retreat environment where participants can explore their inner world with care, preparation, and support. Because of this, we do not offer substances, materials, or guidance for use outside the retreat context.

COLLABORATION & COMMUNITY

  • Yes. We welcome conversations with healthcare and wellness professionals who are interested in learning more about our retreats and educational programs.

    Our retreats are designed as experiential and educational environments for personal reflection, awareness, and integration, and are not medical or psychological treatment.

    If you would like to explore potential collaboration or learn more about our work, please feel free to contact us.

  • Yes. From time to time we welcome volunteers who would like to contribute to the development of our educational and media projects.

    We are currently building the Consciousness Evolution Academy, an educational platform focused on meditation, awareness, integration, and the responsible exploration of non-ordinary states of consciousness. To support this project, we occasionally collaborate with volunteers who have creative or technical skills.

    Areas where volunteers may contribute include:

    • Course production — assisting with video lessons, editing educational content, or organizing course modules

    • Audio creation — generating or editing AI-based audio versions of lesson texts and guided meditation recordings for the educational platform

    • Social media content — creating short educational videos or visual content for platforms such as Instagram, YouTube, Facebook or similar channels

    • Content organization — helping structure lessons, subtitles, or simple quizzes for online courses

    This is not a paid position and does not constitute employment. It is a voluntary collaboration opportunity for individuals who resonate with the vision of conscious education and would like to contribute their skills.

    Depending on the level of involvement, volunteers may receive access to our educational programs or the opportunity to participate in one of our retreat experiences as a gesture of appreciation.

    If you feel inspired to contribute, please feel free to contact us with a short introduction and any relevant examples of your work.

EDUCATION - Coming Soon

  • The Indriya Curriculum is a 13-module online program offering a comprehensive education in consciousness, sacred medicine science, shamanic practice, space-holding, and integration — combining ancient wisdom traditions with modern scientific research on non-ordinary states of awareness.

    The 13 modules cover:

    • The foundations of consciousness and the body as a sacred instrument

    • The real history of plant medicine and sacred states across cultures

    • The science of expanded states and their neurological foundations

    • Preparation, intention setting, and the landscape of non-ordinary experience

    • The art of holding space and ceremony in practice

    • Integration — including a dedicated 42-day daily practice program

    • The practitioner's path, ethics, safety, and contraindications

    • Case studies — direct accounts from the field

    The learning experience combines:

    • In-depth exploration of each topic with guided insights

    • Guided meditations, Ceremonial music — curated for use in personal practice and ceremony

    • A Living Library — a continuously growing collection of research, articles, and resources covering the full breadth of consciousness science, sacred traditions, and clinical developments in the field

    • Reflection quizzes and personal inquiry exercises to integrate the learning directly into lived experience

    The program is designed for depth rather than speed. Upon completion, participants receive a certificate of completion from Indriya Institute. Graduates who wish to continue may deepen their practical experience through direct fieldwork alongside our facilitation team in real-world retreat environments.

  • The Circullium was designed for anyone drawn to understanding consciousness, non-ordinary states of awareness, and the intersection of ancient wisdom and modern science — regardless of professional background or prior experience in this field.

    It is for you if you are:

    A therapist, psychologist, or healthcare professional wanting to deepen their understanding of non-ordinary states and their therapeutic potential

    A coach, facilitator, or yoga and meditation teacher looking to expand your professional knowledge into consciousness work

    Someone preparing for your own retreat or inner journey and wanting a serious foundation before you enter this territory

    A researcher or curious mind drawn to the science and philosophy of consciousness without necessarily intending to facilitate

    Anyone — with or without a professional background — who feels called to this work and wants to approach it with depth, integrity, and real understanding

    No prior experience is required. What is required is genuine curiosity and a sincere commitment to engaging honestly with the material.