Meditation and Conversation
FREE Retreat for former Students* of Andrew Cohen
Jan 4th – 11th 2026
Tiruvannamalai, India
*STUDENTS: people who have been students or have attended retreats with Andrew Cohen in the last 39 years.
Dear Friends,
We are writing to extend a heartfelt invitation to gather for a retreat at the foot of the sacred mountain Arunachala, in Tiruvannamalai, South India—January 4th to 11th, 2026 at Andrew Cohen’s Ashram “Manifest Nirvana”.
Our hope is that we can come together to remember our beloved Guru, Teacher and Friend, to share cherished memories, and to reconnect in the love we all felt—and still feel—for him.
Our hope is that this is a living opportunity to reconnect, remember, honour, and transcend the teachings and experiences we share or shared on the path of Evolutionary Enlightenment.
In the spaciousness of this week, we will sit together in silence and conversation, in meditation and spontaneous sharing.
Beyond ideology, beyond history, beyond any name or form, we are called to stand together: humbly, courageously, with hearts open to Spirit’s next great unfolding.
It is for those who feel the quiet pull to come together in the wellspring of our deepest aspiration.
It is for those who want to honour the depth we shared with gratitude, and at the same time step beyond into the vast mystery of what is yet to come.
The retreat is open to former students of Andrew’s and people who participated in his retreats in the last 39 years, who come with open hearts, ready to step beyond the past into a renewed relationship with the mystery that brought us to this path. We look forward to seeing many of you here.
The Retreat is free of charge, you’ll only have to pay for travel, accommodation and meals.
We will organize all meals from dinner on the 4th to Breakfast on the 11th. You can book your accommodation at Gia Mantra (500 metres from Andrew’s Ashram).
Daniela Bomatter, Vincent Drouot, Sara Topsoe and Annick Macher
Checkout the Conversations Daniela had Online with former Students here.
This is a homecoming—a living opportunity to reconnect, remember, honour, and transcend
Freedom has no History
As we come together in this sacred space, held by the silence of Arunachala and the resonance of Andrew’s presence, we are reminded of a truth that lies at the heart of his teaching: freedom has no history. True freedom is not bound by memory, by identity, or by the personal stories we carry. It doesn’t belong to the past — it is always now, fresh, alive, and untouched by time. In the presence of that timeless reality, we are invited to let go of who we thought we were, and to discover who we are beyond the known. This retreat is not about revisiting the past, but about stepping into the eternal present — where awakening is not a memory, but a living possibility.
Meditation as the pathway to Liberation
At the heart of our time together will be the simple yet profound practice of meditation—not as a technique, but as a sacred posture of surrender to the mystery of being. Meditation, as Andrew has always taught, is the doorway through which we step out of time and into the infinite depth of the present moment. It’s where we meet the groundless ground of our own true nature, beyond thought, beyond history, beyond self. As we sit together in silence, we allow ourselves to be opened—to listen deeply, not with our minds but with our whole being. This shared silence becomes a powerful collective field, a space in which the deeper dimensions of consciousness can reveal themselves. It is here, in the quiet, that we remember what it means to be truly free.
Conversations from the heart
While meditation anchors us in the stillness of our shared being, dialogue becomes the living bridge that reconnects us—heart to heart, soul to soul—in the ever-unfolding moment. In the spirit of Andrew’s teaching, dialogue is not simply the exchange of ideas, but a sacred space of mutual discovery, where we dare to speak from the depth of our authenticity and listen with an open heart. It is a practice of meeting each other beyond roles and history — where vulnerability becomes strength, and truth is revealed not as a conclusion but as a living current between us. In this kind of dialogue, something greater than any one of us begins to speak. It is through this courageous relational presence that we remember our highest purpose and rediscover the sacred trust that first drew us to the path. Dialogue, then, is not just communication—it is communion.
Retreat Location
Tiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu, India
Resting near the foot of Arunachala, the great mountain that has been home to renowned realizers like Ramana Maharishi, is Manifest Nirvana. Manifest Nirvana is the home of Evolutionary Enlightenment and refuge to those seeking to discover their True Self.
Accommodations are not provided as part of registration. See below for recommended nearby lodging in walking and driving distance.
Manifest Nirvana Ashram
The Ashram has a stunning view of the surrounding farmlands, a local temple, and the esteemed Arunachala mountain.
Suggested Accomodation Gia Mantra Eco Village
Tiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu, India
Gia Mantra offers accomodation 500 metres from Manifest Nirvana (click to get more info)
Gia Mantra Eco Village offers a Pool, a Gym and a Cafe, where we will have the Indian meals during the retreat.
Arrival any time before 6pm on 4th January
Departure any time after Breakfast on 11th January
Daily Schedule 5th – 10th January
7:00 – 8:00 am Meditation
8:15 – 9:15 am Breakfast
9:30 – 10:30am Meditation
10:45 – 11:45 Meditation
01:00pm Lunch then free time
3:30 – 5pm Conversations from the Heart
7pm Dinner
8:30pm-9:30pm Meditation
The provided schedule is a sample and may change.
Daily Meditation
Inspired Conversations
Authentic Spiritual Community
Enjoy Natural Beauty
Gourmet Vegetarian Meals
FAQs
Are accommodations included? No, accomodation is not included. Where do I stay?
As a first choice, we recommend the Gia Mantra Global Village, as this is on campus – contact Gia for bookings on +91 93634 78466.
Standard AC Room
Single occupancy : 2750₹ per night
Double occupancy : 3400₹ per night
Studio AC Room
Single occupancy : 2850₹ per night
Double occupancy : 3800₹ per night
Premium Studio AC Rooms
Single occupancy : 4000₹ per night
Double occupancy : 5300₹ per night
If you plan to book a twin room together with another person, please mention their name when you book at Gia Mantra. Manifest Nirvana is not involved in the booking process.
There are also many other hotels and guesthouses in Tiruvannamalai catering to different budgets, but bear in mind that for those you’ll need to get a Riksha/Scooter to get to the retreat.
Are meals included?
As the Retreat is FREE, NO meals are included, but we will organize Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner from Dinner on the 4th until Breakfast on the 11th January. Daily cost for meals will be about 900 INR (around 10.50 dollars) and are to be paid directly to Gia Mantra together with your room.
Am I expected to be there every day?
Yes.
Do I need a VISA to travel to India and attend the intensive?
You, we recommend obtaining an e-visa for travel to India here:
https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/tvoa.html
Please check the Visa-regulations and durations for your country.
How do I get there? What airport should I arrive to?
Flights are either to Bangalore or Chennai. From Bangalore it is a 5-6 hour car journey depending on traffic, which costs around $100. From Chennai the car journey is 3-4 hours and costs around $70.
What is your cancellation policy?
As the retreat is free, you can cancel any time.
