I first heard about the dark retreat three years ago. It was only the circumstances of my life that eventually led me to Lomec near Kutná Hora. For which I am truly grateful. I couldn’t have chosen a nicer, cosier setting.
Preparing for the dark retreat
For two months before the retreat I intensively gathered experiences and advice on how to prepare for a dark retreat. Even though I read that for the vast majority of participants a week-long retreat is enough. I decided on a three-day fast before the retreat to support my perception and sensitivity.
Going in and how the dark retreat went
If I had to sum it up in one word, it’s amazing!!!
It can’t be put into words. In the course of one week I experienced so many things and situations. For an ordinary “consumer” person it’s impossible to grasp. The darkness gives everyone what they need, the thing they came into it for. I’m convinced that the darkness doesn’t give us anything, but it allows us to find what we already have inside us. It allowed me to, and I’m sincerely grateful for that. It allowed me to realise the meaning of being. I won’t describe how my retreat went, there are plenty of examples here. It would just be words, but one of the best things that I really enjoyed during the retreat was watching the “decorations on the ceiling”. 🙂 I’ve never experienced so much colour and variety in my life.
What to say in the end?
I’d recommend a dark retreat to anyone who is interested in it. I don’t recommend it to anyone who knows nothing about it. Or who isn’t drawn to it, or is even scared of it. A dark retreat isn’t about the darkness, it’s about you! I went through both laughter and tears… I saw what I don’t see in the light or even in the half-dark.
I’d like to thank Tomáš and his whole family from the bottom of my heart for what you did for me. The experiences from just one week spent in your presence will stay with me my whole life.
Thank you, Pepa
