What to expect on a Darkroom Retreat
This retreat is one of the most thought-out retreats you can join!
Our experienced team spend weeks preparing the space so that everything can flow smoothly. We have a custom-made Darkroom Meditation Hall. In this space you will have your own mattress assigned for the entire retreat. It is surrounded by a foam line that can be felt to protect your space. You will be given meditation cushions, a quilt and water bottle. There is also space for your bag and belongings (don't bring too much in though as it is easy to lose things in the dark!)
You will have be assigned a twin bedroom (or a double for any couples), which is also fitted out for darkness. You will find foam markings on the floor from bed to bathroom so that you can find with your feet. Before the lights go out we explain how to set up your room for the most easy use in the dark! Including how to shower and brush your teeth in darkness (easier than it sounds!)
We will provide darkness meals in special containers. Even our menu is designed to provide extra "yin" foods according to Chinese Medicine to help your body to unwind and relax into the darkness. We provide warm teas and a special smoothie that supports the decalcification of the pineal gland (one of the aims of the dark retreat). One day will be a fasting day, in which you will find smoothies and tea provided throughout the day.
Daily Schedule |
FAQ |
|
NOTE: there are large periods of silence and nothingness between activities. These gaps get progressively longer. The program is designed to gradually unwind the mind from its usual attachments into peace and let-go. We do not plunge straight into total darkness and silence as this can be overwhelming for the mind. To move from stimulation to nothing is to extreme for the nervous system. Therefore we will gradually unwind the mind and nervous system using meditation tools.
(of course you will have no idea what time it is!!! So we will have bells or announcements. You can relax and be guided!) There is some variation from day to day, and we will lead up to the "death day" in which we have no meditation, no talking and no food. This is a day for total let go. It will be smooth for most people as the previous days will have prepared you to simply surrender into it. The next day we will be reborn, and prepare to come out of the darkroom gradually. 
|
Q: what do we wear inside? A: we recommend to wear the standard Osho maroon robes, which we can lend you. This is because they are easy to wear. We can also wash them and return them to you during the retreat. However, most people bring also some leggings or tracksuit bottoms, warm socks and something warm over the top (mornings can be cold) Q: Do we need shoes? A: we will give you slippers to wear from your room to the hall. You will leave your own shoes aside for the week. This way there is no need to work out which are your shoes when you are coming and going! Q: Is the food a certain diet? A: we provide a vegan diet with certain foods to support the biochemistry of darkness meditation. One day is a fasting day. Q: What do I do if I need help in the darkness? A: we have special infrared goggles with which we can see in the dark if we need to. If any participant says the word "support" we will come over to assist and see what you need. Goggles are only used if needed (e.g. something is lost), otherwise our team are excellent at taking care of you in the darkness. Q: What can I expect to happen? A: everyone has a unique experience in the darkness. However, some things are pretty common. At first people feel very tired as the nervous system unwinds. Everything slows down. A you are not using vision you shift from using vision-based orientation to using your physical sensing, this expanding your sense of space. Most people start to release deep buried emotions, especially grief and sadness. If there is a big emotional release then our assistants will come and offer to hold you through the release. There are big shifts in the brain biochemistry so some people experience visions, others have lucid dreaming, others enter deep states of meditation. There is often a feeling of merging with Source. Q: Will there be talking inside? A: there is some talking, but as we move into the retreat we move deeper into silence. There are occasional sharing circles to check in on everyone. We ask you to hold silence in your room at night. Q: Can I use my phone? A: there will be no use of phones or computers as they are all light-emitting. Even one ray of light will affect your process and everyone else's. Therefore we are very strict to switch off all devices and lock them away for the entire retreat (which can be very relaxing indeed!). Please make sure that you finish all business and set an auto-response on your email. Q: What happens in an emergency? A: We will give you a contact number of a staff member to give you your family before you enter. Please ask them only to use this in extreme emergencies! This is a retreat and the intention is to leave the outside world outside for a few days! |
Q: Are there any reasons not to attend?
A: it is important you are not on anti-depressants. In fact most medicines will be hard to take in the darkness, so it is better you are not on prescription medications at all. You will need to be in a good physical health and mental health. We ask you not to join the main event if you have a cough or cold. If this is the case then you will have to remain in your dark bedroom, but there will be no guidance. Therefore please take special care of your health for the week prior to this event. Take extra vitamin C or other immunity supplements.
Q: How can I best prepare?
A: Buy a Mindfold blindfold (from Amazon.com) and try doing 15 to 30 mins a day open-eye meditation in the dark. This is good for at least a week before the retreat. We also recommend that you filter out all alcohol and stimulants such as caffeine from your diet for a minimum of a week. Stimulants will arouse the nervous system, whereas we want to unwind. So switch to herbal teas. Also lighten your diet into a vegan diet and cut out processed foods, sugar etc.
Q: Will I feel afraid?
A: Even those who are "afraid of the dark" are often surprised that in pure darkness there is nothing to fear! We will give you a body meditation technique to use in moment that fear or any other emotion arises that feels overwhelming. This tool is a processing tool and can help to clear energy blocks from the nervous system once and for all. Thus you can use your time to clear old traumas or blocked emotions from your system.
A: it is important you are not on anti-depressants. In fact most medicines will be hard to take in the darkness, so it is better you are not on prescription medications at all. You will need to be in a good physical health and mental health. We ask you not to join the main event if you have a cough or cold. If this is the case then you will have to remain in your dark bedroom, but there will be no guidance. Therefore please take special care of your health for the week prior to this event. Take extra vitamin C or other immunity supplements.
Q: How can I best prepare?
A: Buy a Mindfold blindfold (from Amazon.com) and try doing 15 to 30 mins a day open-eye meditation in the dark. This is good for at least a week before the retreat. We also recommend that you filter out all alcohol and stimulants such as caffeine from your diet for a minimum of a week. Stimulants will arouse the nervous system, whereas we want to unwind. So switch to herbal teas. Also lighten your diet into a vegan diet and cut out processed foods, sugar etc.
Q: Will I feel afraid?
A: Even those who are "afraid of the dark" are often surprised that in pure darkness there is nothing to fear! We will give you a body meditation technique to use in moment that fear or any other emotion arises that feels overwhelming. This tool is a processing tool and can help to clear energy blocks from the nervous system once and for all. Thus you can use your time to clear old traumas or blocked emotions from your system.
NOTE: This is info for the Darkness Retreat in Delhi. We also have general information about Darkness Retreats.
Stay connected...
Join the Facebook Community |
