Retreating in total darkness is a common practice for many of the ancient spiritual traditions from around the world.  Their dark rooms have appeared in many different forms.  From the pyramids for the ancient Egyptians, to the catacombs for the ancient Romans and the caves for the Kogi Mamos in Columbia along with the lamas, monks, adepts and sincere practitioners throughout India, Tibet, China and other parts of the world.

The dark retreat is a transformational experience in intense seclusion where the practitioner is deprived of all light and outer distraction which deepens their awareness and sensitivities.  Altered states of consciousness naturally arise from a unique combination of neurochemical reactions as a variety of hormone-producing glands and central and peripheral nervous system neurons are both suppressed and/or stimulated throughout the light deprivation retreat.