Frequently asked questions:


How does retreating in the dark work?
 
Many researchers assume that the reduced amount of sensory stimuli allows one to enter a state of deep relaxation and regenerate the body. Such reduction of stimuli mainly relates to vision, which is the most important of the senses for most people. Without visual stimulation, it is possible to feel body sensations more precisely, bringing numerous therapeutic benefits. The increased ability to "listen" to one's body can reduce anxiety, fatigue, and psychosomatic symptoms.
During an extended stay, one may experience profound meditative experiences, increased clarity of imagination, or a heightened ability to reflect and observe the workings of one's mind.
What can you do during a retreat in the dark?
 
First of all - nothing.
Doing nothing is an art. You can leave things as they are. Observe body sensations, thoughts and emerging feelings. From moment to moment, just follow your experience. In the darkness, you will see your life more clearly than usual. If you accept sensations without trying to change them, you will discover unknown layers of peace that will allow you to rest. This deep rest is a parallel stream to daily life's effort, struggle or fight. It is a source of strength. You can leave the affairs of your life as they are – and rest in that infinite dark space and then return to engagement with the world.
 
Second – you can do what you want.
During the retreat you do not have to do anything. All you have to do is realize it. You can listen to the voice of your own body and let yourself be guided, perhaps for the first time since childhood. You are invisible. Without roles to play, without other people and their expectations. You are out of touch. The retreat time is exclusively at your disposal.
 
Third – you can create and discover the power of your imagination.
Darkness turns out to be full of life. Most people experience visual sensations. These include luminous lines, patterned structures, and vivid images - landscapes and scenes. The imagination works at increased intensity when the visible world does not inhibit it. The visions can be so vivid at times that you will be amazed at the abilities of your mind, which only now have the chance and opportunity to reveal themselves.
 
Fourth – you can face what you are running away from.
When the outside world fades away, you will be left alone with your thoughts. You will have the time and conditions to experience your feelings. You will stop being afraid of what is inside you. Are you afraid that your mind will bore or torment you? The outside world can sometimes be a threat, but you can always be an ally for yourself. We feel ourselves more clearly in the darkness. Darkness covers the world of external objects but reveals the inside. It provides support and conditions to accept yourself. Again and again, moment by moment, learn to do it.
How to prepare for your stay?
 
It's a good idea to book your retreat well in advance so that you can properly plan your work and family commitments during this time. External duties or obligations should not disturb the retreat time. To make your stay comfortable, you should inform your family and people at work that you will be out of phone and email contact for several days. It's best to set up an auto-reply on your email inbox. You can also leave a voicemail message or an automatic text message reply. You can give a trusted person an authorization to receive registered mail or handle official matters if necessary. We can also transfer information between you and your family without disturbing the darkness.
The actions described in the previous paragraph are necessary before the retreat begins. Except for this, you can do the dark retreat without any special prior preparation. However, certain practices can further enhance the comfort of staying in the dark and the effects of the retreat. First, it is worth learning basic meditation or mindfulness techniques if one is unfamiliar with them. These can include slow and mindful breathing exercises, yoga or another contemplative practice according to the person's preferences.
One can also choose specific topics or issues to work on during the retreat. However, we advise you to follow the flow of experience, rest and observe rather than follow a preconceived plan during your stay.
Those willing to do so can also practice before the retreat activities such as eating, showering and brushing their teeth in the dark. However, we emphasize again that this kind of prior preparation is not a strict requirement.
How will I eat my meals?
 
Meals are brought once a day at lunchtime. There will be several containers in a thermos - with a lunch  and dinner. In addition, a meal package includes breakfast for the next day. It is also possible to individually agree on dietary needs. The lodge will also have snacks supplemented as needed - nuts, dried fruit, etc.
Eating in the dark is an exciting taste experience - you will undoubtedly notice that the sense of taste is sharper, and even familiar foods take on an unusual flavour.
We recommend that you eat your meals in the kitchen area of the house, which caretakers can clean during their visits without disturbing you in the dark.

Please inform us about any food allergies.
Will I have contact with the outside world?
 
During the retreat, you should not use the phone. We advise turning off the phone and hiding it in a closet, but ultimately, the person staying at the retreat decides. Also, we recommend that you leave your family or friends the phone number of the retreat caretaker, whom they can contact for emergencies. The retreat caretaker can then pass you any messages without interrupting your retreat in the dark.
Once a day, the caretaker comes with a meal. You can inform the caretaker about any problems or additional needs. If you have had a more challenging experience, you can make an appointment for a more extended conversation with a psychologist who has experience with darkness retreats.
Will it be safe for me to stay there?
 
The retreat house is in a safe, private neighborhood. The door is locked inside, so an outsider cannot enter the house. Only you and the retreat caretaker have the keys. You can turn on the light or leave the house anytime. It is also possible to contact us by emergency phone. The house has modern ventilation, and the heating is electric, not gas. The cottage has adequate fire protection infrastructure.
What if I can't make it? Can I cancel before the end of the retreat?
 
You can leave the house at any time. It is also possible to turn on the lights in an emergency. If the experience of darkness is too intense, you can spend the last days of the retreat in "light" form, using the garden and the nearby forest. This provides an opportunity to integrate the experiences you had in darkness.
If staying in the dark is difficult, but you don't want to stop, you can talk to an experienced Dark Shelter carer who can help you cope with the experience.

We collaborate with a psychotherapist who specializes in the treatment of trauma and psychological crises. Marta Kochan- Wójcik can support you, and help you integrate more challenging experiences. This is an additional paid service, and the consultations may take place either online or in her office in Wrocław. Sessions are conducted either in English or Polish.
How does the stay end?
 
You can leave the lodge on the last day morning or the evening day before.
Looking at the world after several days of darkness is an extraordinary experience. It is worth exploring the refreshed, visible world without rush. The retreat hut is located in a natural setting with numerous beautiful walking paths. Therefore, after ending the retreat, it is a good idea to leave yourself at least half a day to quietly integrate the experience and walk in the garden and forest. It is also possible to shorten the time of darkness so that the entire last day can be spent integrating the experience and gently returning to everyday life.
For the first 2-3 hours after the retreat, your eyesight adapts to the light, and you may experience slight, transient "framing" effects, especially when turning your head rapidly. These sensations quickly subside and are entirely unnoticeable after a few hours. Those who have come by car should wait until the vision stabilizes.
Is Dark Shelter associated with any particular spiritual tradition?
 
We consider dark retreats as a method of working with oneself, mental hygiene and relaxation that is accessible to all. Many traditions, both ancient and modern, use this method. Dark Shelter respects the achievements of those traditions but is not affiliated with any of them. Instead, Dark Shelter is a place of exploration, discovering new ways of working with the body and mind. We believe that the potential of this method is still unexplored and that people can effectively implement retreats in many different ways.