Exploring Darkness: My Experience of Spending Ten Days in Complete Darkness

As someone who has always been fascinated by the power of the mind and the potential of human resilience, I decided to take on a unique challenge: spending ten days in complete darkness.

As human beings, we rely heavily on our senses to navigate through life. Our eyes allow us to see the world around us, our ears allow us to hear sounds, and our sense of touch helps us interact with our environment. But what happens when we take away one of our most dominant senses - sight - and disconnect from the external world for an extended period of time?

The experience was incredibly powerful, and I would like to share some of the insights I gained during my 10 days in complete darkness.

The idea behind a darkness retreat is to remove all external stimulation, allowing participants to focus on their inner world. During my 10 days in complete darkness, I had no access to light, books, or any other distractions. My only company was myself and the thoughts and emotions that arose.

I decided to undergo this challenge as a way of testing my resilience and pushing my boundaries. I wanted to see how I would cope without the use of my sight for an extended period. Additionally, I was curious about the psychological and emotional impact it would have on me.

The first few days were tough, and I felt disoriented and frustrated. Without any visual cues, I found myself stumbling around and bumping into things. It was difficult to maintain any sense of time, and I often found myself sleeping for long stretches during the day. However, as the days went on, I began to adapt to my new environment. I developed a sense of spatial awareness that allowed me to navigate the room with ease, and I became more attuned to my other senses, such as my sense of hearing and touch.

Moreover, I started to pay more attention to my other senses, like touch, taste, and smell. I found that I was more sensitive to certain smells and tastes and could detect them more distinctly than before.

One of the most powerful aspects of the darkness retreat was the opportunity it provided for self-reflection. I realized that I was developing a deeper level of self-awareness. Without any external distractions, I was able to focus on my thoughts and emotions. I had a lot of time to reflect on my life and my priorities, and I felt that this experience gave me a fresh perspective. I spent hours each day meditating and as a result, I gained insights into my own behavior and thought patterns that I'm not sure I would have discovered in the midst of my usual daily routine. 

The experience also made me appreciate the value of human connection. As a social species, we rely heavily on communication and interaction with others. In the dark, without the ability to see others, I felt a sense of isolation and loneliness that I had never experienced before. It made me realize how important it is to connect with others and appreciate the relationships we have in our lives.

Overall, my ten days in complete darkness were a powerful and transformative experience. While it was challenging at times, the benefits I gained from the experience far outweighed any discomfort. Through my own experience, discussions, and reflections, I gained valuable insights into the power of darkness retreats for personal growth and self-discovery. If you're looking for a way to disconnect from the external world and focus on your inner world to gain a fresh perspective on life, I highly recommend a darkness retreat - it may just change your life forever.

Want to hear more?

In "Crying Through The Darkness," I sat down with Kyle Cease to discuss our experiences with darkness retreats and how they can bring up deep-seated emotions and fears. During my own retreat, I found myself struggling with feelings of loneliness and disorientation, but as the days went on, I began to embrace the darkness and find comfort in the stillness. I also experienced a range of emotions, from sadness to joy, and found myself crying tears of both sorrow and gratitude.

In "Darkness Retreat for Personal Growth," I sat down with Monta Vilumsone to discuss the power of darkness retreats as a tool for personal growth and self-discovery. During my retreat, I found that the lack of visual stimulation allowed me to focus on my thoughts and emotions and gain a new perspective on my life. I also found that my other senses, such as my sense of hearing and touch, became heightened, and I was able to experience a deeper level of self-awareness.

Where'd I go? Sky Cave Retreats in Ashland, Oregon. Ask for Scott. Tell him Joey Hauss says hi.