Hi Lenka and Tomáš,
I spent this Easter with you in the sanctuary, and I have to say that a dark retreat over Easter was the right choice.
I’d been toying with a dark retreat for 5 years
I’ve known about dark retreats for about 5 years, but I only toyed with the idea of whether to go for it or not. It was only when a friend of mine who had been with you – even if just for 3 and a half days – told me to go for it.
I booked a date online – it was half a year away, but I didn’t mind.In the meantime, Tomáš and Lenča sent me posts from people who had been through a dark retreat. I have to say it gave me courage. During that waiting time I didn’t think about the dark retreat much, I just let it take its course and turn out however it was meant to. I wanted to go through darkness therapy mainly to clear my head of useless rubbish, and deep down I hoped I’d get rid of some old psychological blocks.
What to take on a dark retreat?
About a week before leaving, I was wondering what to take with me. Because I feel the cold easily, I packed warm socks and sheepskin slippers – just in case I got cold – and also an African drum, 2 Chinese massage balls for exercising the hand muscles and a head massager. My boyfriend drove me there. When I met Tomáš and my boyfriend left, I had mixed feelings and admitted to Tomáš and Lenča that I was a bit scared whether I’d manage it. They didn’t go into it much with me, they just said that people who admit it beforehand and don’t play the hero usually make it.
“Those who don’t play the hero usually make it through a dark retreat.”
And off it went.While it was still light, I had a shower so I could feel my way around the taps, brushed my teeth and then I switched off the light… Tomáš told me they bring food once a day and there’s no fixed time when they come. For the first two days and 2 nights I slept a lot – pretty much like everyone else who has done the therapy. Lenka only came to me twice, after that only Tomáš came – Lenča was working through something of her own, I won’t go into that. Anyway, I have to praise the food, it was always great and tasted wonderful. On the third day I exercised and meditated more, massaged my hands, feet and head. On the fourth day I had a crisis, I had a headache and couldn’t wait for Tomáš to come. In two sentences he calmed me down, saying that when your head aches, blocks are being released – that was enough for me and I calmed down,.
It’s true that during meditation I felt the tension in my neck releasing, and a strange kind of relief came over me. On the fifth day I knew it was the last full day before I’d return to the everyday world. I didn’t sleep much on the last night. I kept waking up and couldn’t wait for the alarm clock to ring.
Welcome, light <3
When I first opened the door to go outside, I felt a bit dizzy – Tomáš had warned me about that in advance. I was glad I’d managed the retreat, and I was looking forward to going home. I only tried playing the drum once and the sound disturbed me, so I didn’t try again. It’s now more than 6 weeks since the dark retreat. I have to say it gave me a lot. I look at things and situations with more perspective, I’ve become more of an observer, and I don’t let myself get pulled emotionally into unpleasant situations. My colleagues at work have really noticed that – I work in an all-female team, and when there are lots of “WOMEN” together, there’s no shortage of heated situations.
Anyway, many thanks to Lenča and Tomáš for letting me spend a week with them. It’s a priceless experience.
One last thing – what bothered me a bit was that the door was always unlocked. I’d have appreciated it if Tomáš or Lenka unlocked it and locked it again when they brought the food. A spare key could hang in the little hallway next to the light switch in case someone wanted to leave early.
Once again, THANK YOU SO MUCH
Lenka
