JOIN OUR DARK RETREATS
A profound journey within
For experienced meditators
WHAT IS A DARK RETREAT ?
Meditation in the dark gives us the opportunity to withdraw from the senses and look inward. In daily life we keep ourselves very busy, and are distracted by many external stimuli from work, screens, socializing, or even the beauties of nature. Dark Room Retreats enhance the meditation practice by shifting that impulse inward and seeing what is alive in us, diving into the depths of our being. It is an exploration of ourselves that can lead to many discoveries.
Kaya Kalpa (Dark Retreat) is an advanced spiritual practice that comes from the ancestral Ayurvedic and Tantric traditions of India and Tibet. It is an awakening practice in which the guru or teacher is darkness itself. The meditator enters a room that admits absolutely no light and spends a certain number of days in the dark in order to arouse deep states of consciousness.
For a more thorough perspective on dark room retreats from the
Hridaya perspective:
A DEDICATED SPACE
Two dark rooms are available for our solitary darkretreats, in the village of Saint Just d'Avray, close to the Hridaya Yoga France center.
The rooms are 25m2 in size and are 100% dark proof. A black occultant fabric covers the two windows and door (behing the curtain on the picture).
As well, a sound proof system reduces greatly external sounds.
The rooms include: a good ventilation system, heating system, a queen-size bed, a small bathroom with shower, sink and toilet. There is a "food box" through which meals are served. Bed linen and towels are provided.
Our dark retreats are meant to take place in silence (mauna) to encourage the process of interiorization.
YOUR HOST
My name is Bérengère, currently a yoga and meditation teacher at Hridaya Yoga France. As your host, I will welcome you, cook your meals during your retreat, answer all your questions and guide you if necessary. I offer an orientation session at the start of the retreat, as well as a debriefing at the end of it.
PRICES
Nights:
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€ 60, - per night for 2-5 nights (minimum 2 nights)
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€ 55, - per night for 6-14 nights
Cleaning:
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€ 25, - cleaning fee
Meals:
All the meals are vegetarian, organic and made with love.
Breakfast : € 6,- each
Lunch : 12 € each
> > > Bookings
To make a booking request, you will first have to answer the application form (see below), and possibly have a preliminary interview.
Availabilities
Here is our calendar. Please have a look before filling up your application form.
Empty squares: dark room available
Squares with purple: booked ♥
TESTIMONIALS
Going into the dark room was like going into the womb, as far as I remember my time in the womb back in the day... Having nothing to do and being immersed into the dark is such a great condition to go deeper in meditation and to get more and more transparant with my inner life. The dark room was very clean, spacious, comfortable and perfect. I felt very taken care for. Lots of gratitude for this experience!
Floris
The dark room was for me a very deep experience which brought me back intimately to the heart.
Being alone with no external distractions opened the doors of infinity wide and profoundly changed my perception of reality.
It was a very intense experience that transformed my vision of myself and the outside world.
Darkness offers this possibility to return to the source, the echoes continue to accompany me and bring me great strength at all times.
Rémi
Gallery
DARK RETREAT FAQS
CAN I STILL COMMUNICATE DURING THE RETREAT ?
Yes, it will be possible for you to give written notes to your host. These will be left inside the “food box” and I will find them when I bring you your next meal.
HOW LONG SHOULD I COME FOR A FIRST TIME ?
For first-timers, we recommend entering the dark for 2-5 days. As we feel more and more comfortable with ourselves, we can gradually increase the length of your solitary dark retreat.
CAN I ARRIVE A FEW DAYS EARLY OR REMAIN A FEW DAYS AFTER THE RETREAT TO ADJUST ?
Yes, you can choose to arrive a few days earlier or remain in the room after a dark retreat for a few days to integrate. Let us know when you book with us.
WHAT TO BRING ?
Light, comfortable clothes to practice in, personal toiletries, yoga mat & meditation cushion (we provide this, but you may like to bring your own), thermos, personnal items dear to your heart.
Click below to see our complete FAQ
OUR LOCATION
"Darkness in darkness, the gateway to all understanding."