How to ready your body and mind for time in complete darkness — and the guide we give every guest before they enter the dark.
Download the Dark Retreat Guide (PDF)A dark retreat is unlike anything you have known before, and a little preparation goes a long way. The Acraya Dark Retreat Guide is the companion we share with every guest before their stay: practices to steady the mind, ways of meeting whatever arises in the dark, and support for the return to daily life.
We suggest reading it before you arrive. Once you are inside the retreat, your facilitator remains available to you and will answer any questions that arise.
Why entering without expectation matters, and how to approach the retreat with an open mind and heart — whether you stay for a few days or much longer.
The two companions almost everyone meets in the dark: what visions are (and are not), and how to meet boredom as part of the practice rather than a problem to solve.
Simple practices for calm and concentration — deep belly breathing, resting attention on the breath, and a counting exercise for training the mind.
Observing thoughts without engaging them, choosing an object of concentration, self-inquiry, lovingkindness (metta bhavana), and the Hawaiian practice of Ho’oponopono.
Working with the body in darkness: progressive muscle relaxation, grounding techniques, and release practices like shaking, stomping, and the butterfly hug.
Carrying the experience home — reflection, community, self-care, and bringing insight into action in the weeks and months after you return to light.
Every Acraya stay includes pre-retreat preparation sessions with an experienced facilitator, who will help you set intentions, answer your questions, and tailor the retreat to your experience and goals. New to the practice? Start with what a dark retreat is or browse the FAQ.