Clearlight, Nonduality, and Dark Retreat

With Andrew Holecek and Robert A.F. Thurman | June 30 - July 6, 2025

Clearlight or transparency (Sanskrit – prabhāsvarā) is the way enlightened beings describe the indescribable ultimate reality of freedom, which can only be experienced nondually. In the subtle body-mind teachings of various yogas and tantras, and even in the famous Book of Natural Liberation, aka “Book of the Dead,” its doorway is an experience of darkness. We all need to know reality and verify it in experience. In this context, the ancient practice of dark retreat is finding its way back into the modern world. Nonduality is a hot topic. In this retreat, we will explore the boundary between clearlight, darkness, and nonduality.  We will learn how dark retreat connects to the experience of nonduality and is one of the best ways to approach it. You will learn the overall context of clearlight of freedom and everything you need to know to get started with dark practice at home and how to transition into formal retreat. This program explores how clearlight opens the mind about reality and how dark retreat catalyzes creativity, accelerates healing, and leads to rapid psycho-spiritual transformation. Dark medicine shares much with plant medicine, acting as a form of natural psychedelic. You become the medicine. Learn how to find rest and energy in darkness, what to do when you’re in there, and how to integrate your experiences. You will learn how dark retreat is a powerful preparation for creatively overcoming fear of death, and one of the best methods for addressing the meta-crises facing our planet today.

What You’ll Learn:

• How to create a safe and effective dark practice at home.
• How to work with “gray retreat,” the in-between of light and dark.
• The physical, psychological, and spiritual benefits of dark retreat.
• The clearlight science underway to substantiate the benefits.
• How darkness is a duality-decimator, opening to clearlight.
• The relationship of dark retreat to darkness therapy.
• Indications and contraindications for dark retreat.
• All the tips and tricks for successful retreat.
• Techniques for managing anxiety and fear in darkness.
• Strategies for integrating your experiences into daily life.
• How to manage the practical challenges of being in darkness.
• How to identify and overcome resistance during your practice.
• How to overthrow the tyranny of our sight-centric, dualistic ways.

This program offers specially prepared dark rooms where you can explore the depths of darkness with experienced guides. We also incorporate group practice with the Manta eye mask (recommended to purchase in advance), a simple tool that allows you to experience darkness in any setting. Embark on a journey of self-discovery and unlock the extraordinary potential waiting within you.

This event is hybrid and this page is for online attendance registrations.

To learn more and to register for in-person attendance, please CLICK HERE.