Books and podcasts on dark retreat
Books
Total Eclipse of the Mind
Subtitled Unleashing the Power of Darkness for Creativity, Healing, and Transformation. A practical guide to dark retreat from a teacher in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition, drawing on some thirty years of his own practice: why darkness helps, how to practice safely, including at home, and how to carry what you find back into daily life.
Darkness Retreat: An Exciting Journey to the Source of Being
An introduction to darkness retreats that includes thirty personal accounts from participants over five years.
Dawning of Clear Light
Subtitled A Western Approach to Tibetan Dark Retreat Meditation. A guide to dark retreat drawing on the Buddhist and Bön traditions of Tibet, written for Western practitioners, with a foreword by Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche.
Podcasts and talks
Reginald A. Ray: Dark Retreat
Tami Simon talks with Reggie Ray, the Tibetan Buddhist teacher and founder of Dharma Ocean, about his own experience of dark retreat. A transcript is also available.
A Beginner’s Guide to Dark Retreat, with Andrew Holecek
James Shaheen, editor of Tricycle, talks with Holecek about what extended darkness does to the mind and how to begin gently, starting with an eye mask and short sessions.
Talking about Dark Retreat, with Andrew Holecek
Michael W. Taft and Holecek on the risks and benefits of the practice, and ways in for beginners.
The Wisdom of Darkness, Andrew Holecek
A short talk on what darkness has to teach, from the author of Total Eclipse of the Mind.
Questions after reading? Talk with us.
Share a few details and we will follow up to schedule a brief call. No decision needed yet.