hygienic dark retreat

profound rest for the self‑healing psyche

a book by andrew durham

formerly darkroomretreat.com

schedule

2-day      
  2-day hygienic darkroom mini-retreat    
  example schedule for retreating at home    
  24hr clock    
       
days      
       
1 M    
    15 Make final preparations.
    17 Dinner
    18-20 Darken room, retire.
      Retreat begins.
      12-16 hours of continuous darkness begin.
       
2 Tu    
    08-12 Lighten room slowly, over 15 minutes.
      Retreat ends.
    09-12 Breakfast
      Have as quiet and routine a day as possible.
    17 Dinner
    20-22 Darken room, retire.
       
5-day      
       
  5-day hygienic dark retreat    
  example schedule for retreating at home    
24hr clock      
       
days      
       
1 M    
    17 Dinner
    18 Make final preparations.  
    20-22 Retire.  
      Retreat begins.
      60-66 hours of continuous darkness begin.
       
2 Tu    
      Rest
    11 Breakfast
    17 Dinner
       
3 W    
      Rest
    11 Breakfast
    17 Dinner
       
4 Th    
    08-12 Lighten room slowly, over 15 minutes. Transition begins.
    09-12 Breakfast
      Rest
      Maintain solitude, silence, menu.
      Go outside, walk, sunbathe.
      Nap.
      Write about your retreat.
    17 Dinner
    18-20 Darken room, retire
       
5 F    
    08-12 Lighten room slowly.
      Retreat ends.
       
9-day      
       
  9-day hygienic dark retreat example schedule    
  +2 buffer days at retreat center = 11-day retreat    
  +2 travel days = 13-day trip    
  24hr clock    
       
days      
       
29 M Travel  
      Arrive in area
      Check into hotel
      If driving 2+ hours or flying, book a nearby hotel for the 29th & 10th.
       
30 Tu Buffer  
    13 Arrive at darkroom. Rest, unpack, snack
    15 Orientation: tour center, discuss retreat: room, food, communication, attitude, attention
    17 Dinner
      With eyes closed, practice: eating, moving, using bathroom, finding things, exercising.
    20-22 Darken room, retire
       
1 W Retreat  
    09-11 Breakfast
      Relax, walk, sunbathe, etc.
    15 Q&A
      Darken room
    17 Dinner: practice eating in the dark, etc.
    18 Make final preparations (use light)
    20-22 Darken room, retire. Retreat begins.
    130-136 hours of continuous darkness begin.  
       
2 Th Retreat  
      Rest
    11 Breakfast
    17 Dinner
       
3 F Retreat  
      Rest
    11 Breakfast
    17 Dinner
       
4 Sa Retreat  
      Rest
    11 Breakfast
    17 Dinner
       
5 Su Retreat  
      Rest
    11 Breakfast
    17 Dinner
       
6 M Retreat  
      Rest
    11 Breakfast
    17 Dinner
       
7 Tu Retreat  
    08-12 Lighten room slowly, over 15 minutes. Transition day 1 begins.
    09-11 Breakfast
      Rest
      Maintain solitude, silence, menu.
      Go outside, walk, sunbathe.
      Nap.
      Write about your retreat.
    17 Dinner
    18-20 Darken room, retire
       
8 W Retreat  
    08-12 Lighten room slowly. Transition day 2 begins.
    09-11 Breakfast
      Rest.
      Maintain solitude, silence, menu.
      Go outside, walk, sunbathe.
      Nap.
      Write about your retreat.
    17 Dinner
    18-20 Darken room, retire
       
9 Th Retreat  
    08-10 Lighten room slowly. Retreat ends. Buffer begins.
    09-11 Breakfast
      Relax, use kitchen, talk. Read, write. Check messages.
    17 Dinner
    20-22 Darken room, retire.
      12 hours continuous darkness, or with 4-hour lit watch between 2 sleeps
       
10 F Buffer  
    09-11 Breakfast
      Pack, relax, walk.
    12-16 Depart for hotel or home
    17 Dinner
    20-22 Retire
       
11 Sa Travel  
      Check out of hotel
      Depart area
<   ^