Hi Lenka and Tomáš,
first of all I’d like to thank you for the excellent conditions you’ve created for the retreat. Even though a dark retreat is a “spiritual” matter, so the material side shouldn’t really matter, I think that, on the contrary, the conditions of the retreat are key to a good experience.
A dark retreat is actually quite demanding, and in this state the mind is very susceptible to any “problem”, which can lead to unpleasant, endlessly recurring thoughts that can affect the whole retreat negatively.
Into the darkness for the second time
I came to you for my second dark retreat. From the previous one, which took place at a different centre, I’d taken away exactly this kind of unpleasant experience. That’s why the feeling that I could rely on you and that communication with you was excellent was very important to me.
Since this was my second time going into the darkness, the experience was no longer as intense, but at the same time the retreat was much easier.
What did I do in the darkness?
Throughout the retreat I meditated, exercised and practised breathing and energy exercises, so I didn’t have much time to get bored, and I tuned myself in beautifully. I don’t think there’s any other place where you can go so deep into yourself, stop, and see your current situation clearly and plainly.
I found answers
They say that in the darkness everyone finds the answers to important questions, and for me that’s entirely true. What surprised me on both retreats, though, was that even the questions themselves, the ones I needed to find answers to, were ones I hadn’t known before going into the darkness. Only when everything calms down does what’s essential reveal itself, and suddenly it’s so clear and simple.
Everyone should experience it…
I think everyone should treat themselves to this experience again and again. I can imagine that if every single person really went through this experience voluntarily, our planet would look quite different…
Take care, I wish you all the best in what you do, and I hope we’ll meet again at your place in a few years 🙂
Martin
