I was just thinking about how to make the dark retreat here near Kutná Hora even more pleasant for participants. Last year we added underfloor heating, and this winter we have also given each participant control over the temperature.
I was looking at the websites of other dark retreat providers, and I admit I’m delighted at how many new dark retreat centres have sprung up since we opened. Yes, it’s been 10 years now … time flies 🙂
Choosing who gets a dark retreat
On lots of websites I found that the centres are non-smoking. On the website of one centre with caravans I noticed an interesting requirement: they don’t want smokers to come to them for a dark retreat.
That surprised me a little, and then it dawned on me that not every centre, not every provider holds freedom and love as the highest values of humanity. I ask myself: is a fly or a crocodile more important to the creator? Does the Sun ever say “look, that one over there takes drugs, so I won’t shine on him”?
Because I think real love comes from respect for yourself and for others.
In Kutná Hora, smokers are welcome on a dark retreat
We are a non-smoking centre too, and we ask people not to smoke here. I’m not thrilled about picking cigarette butts out of the grass either, because smokers often don’t realise how much litter they create. That’s why we also ask participants to have their cigarette before they start their dark retreat.
But we won’t refuse someone a dark retreat with us just because they smoke. After all, darkness therapy works for smokers and alcoholics too. Smokers are no less human than non-smokers. As human beings, we are all equal.
Darkness therapy for smokers too
That’s why everyone is welcome here, including drug addicts, alcoholics and smokers. We simply believe that everyone deserves a dark retreat. During a dark retreat, smokers usually have much less of a craving for a cigarette. And is it possible not to smoke in the dark? Yes, it is! We go to the pharmacy for nicotine sprays or gum.
What probably warms my heart the most is when a smoker who did the dark with us writes to tell me they haven’t lit up since, and it’s been several months.
Isn’t a dark retreat actually a miracle?❤️
