Stopping in today’s rushed world can be a tough nut to crack. So two friends decided to try something unusual and set off for a place ruled by silence and blackness. Tomáš came up with a specific date and an offer: “Come with me.” And so began their experience of what darkness therapy has to offer.
An idea that needed time to ripen
Both of them first heard that dark retreats exist quite a long time ago. One of them heard about the possibility roughly two years earlier and let the idea ripen inside him. The other thought about it now and then, but didn’t feel he had to try it straight away. The turning point came when he switched off the lights at home and realised how fascinating darkness actually is.
Each in his own cabin
Although they arrived together, each of them stayed in his own cabin. Each had come to go through it for himself and in his own way. Originally they didn’t even know they could be together. Looking back, though, both admit that if they went again, they would probably choose separate paths again and each go alone. One of them only remarked that a cabin for couples could be an interesting experience for getting to know a partner deeply in the future.
When hunger fades and time flows differently
Fasting was also part of their journey. While not eating can be hard in everyday life, in the muffled setting of the cabin hunger came far less often. The participants felt it was much easier than in normal life. Thoughts of various foods, like roast potatoes or broth, only started appearing in the last few hours of the retreat.
Working with time was fascinating too. The first day, when you sleep through most of it, flies by. After that, though, your perception changes and you lose track of time completely. Time in the dark flows completely differently from everyday life, where people are always doing something. You’re just there, staring into space.
Back to reality with a clear head
The end of the retreat came with an excitement like that of a little boy looking forward to new toys. One of them used the last hours before the door opened for a final meditation, during which new ideas and creative thoughts came to him that left him thrilled. Above all, darkness therapy brought them both a deep calm that they want to carry into all their everyday activities. There was inner forgiveness too, because you realise there is no point holding on to old things and it’s better to let them be.
Would you also like to find out what thoughts will come to you when you switch off the light? Open yourself to this experience and let yourself be surprised by what you find in the dark.
Would you like to find out more about the darkness guides?
Also follow our YouTube channel, where you will find videos about the retreats and people’s experiences of darkness therapy. 🔔
