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The Ultimate Darkness Retreat

The Ultimate Darkness Retreat

Within The Ultimate
Darkness Retreat

For thousands of years, darkness has been used to facilitate self-discovery. Within the ultimate Darkness Retreat offers a uniquely holistic experience. We combine the essence of ancient healing practices with the very best that modern science, technology and luxury have
to offer. This ensures an ultimate experience that is unforgettable, remarkable and life-changing. 

Within is truly the ultimate darkness retreat, unlike any other. Our darkness cabins were custom-designed to achieve the best therapeutic effects, whilst also meeting the highest standards of safety, luxury and comfort. Guests participate in a comprehensive preparation programme, to maximize the results of the darkness experience. This includes advanced meditation, breath-work, cold-exposure, sound healing, reflexology and other experiences, all delivered by renowned experts. Our retreat counsellors take care of your every need throughout your stay, including by delivering gourmet food prepared especially for you. 

The Within team are confident that you will value your time at the world’s most exclusive and sophisticated darkness retreat. It offers an unforgettable, remarkable and life-changing experience.

Cabins in woods

Darkness Retreat Experience

Darkness experience involves spending time in complete darkness, free from the stimuli that bombard us on a daily basis. This facilitates a psychological reset by restoring balance to your brain chemistry and providing a unique environment for self-reflection.

As your eyes and ears stop being overloaded with information from the outside world, your focus will turn inwards. Ironically, being in darkness can help you to see more than most people see in a lifetime, and being alone can help you to connect and get to know the person whose love is a pre-condition for you finding true peace: yourself.

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Benefits of Darkness

Benefits of Darkness

Benefits of Darkness

Multiple studies have shown the profound benefits that darkness healing can have on a person’s life. These include:

Multiple studies have shown the profound benefits that darkness healing can have on a person’s life. These include:

Multiple studies have shown the profound benefits that darkness healing can have on a person’s life. These include:

Improved Sleep Quality

Darkness is crucial for regulating melatonin production, a hormone that promotes sleep. Reduced exposure to artificial light before bedtime can enhance sleep quality and increase the duration of restorative ‘deep sleep’, as it aligns with the body’s natural circadian rhythms.

Improved Sleep Quality

Darkness is crucial for regulating melatonin production, a hormone that promotes sleep. Reduced exposure to artificial light before bedtime can enhance sleep quality and increase the duration of restorative ‘deep sleep’, as it aligns with the body’s natural circadian rhythms.

Stress Reduction

Darkness helps to reset the nervous system, lowering overall stress levels. Techniques such as floatation therapy in dark environments have been shown to significantly alleviate the symptoms of anxiety and depression.

Stress Reduction

Darkness helps to reset the nervous system, lowering overall stress levels. Techniques such as floatation therapy in dark environments have been shown to significantly alleviate the symptoms of anxiety and depression.

Enhanced Brain Plasticity

Time spent in darkness can promote neural plasticity – i.e. the brain’s ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections. This can help to prevent cognitive decline. It can also improve learning and memory consolidation.

Enhanced Brain Plasticity

Time spent in darkness can promote neural plasticity – i.e. the brain’s ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections. This can help to prevent cognitive decline. It can also improve learning and memory consolidation.

Sensory Enhancement

In the absence of visual stimuli, other senses (e.g. hearing and Smell) become more acute. This heightened sensory perception help to improve mindfulness and awareness.

Sensory Enhancement

In the absence of visual stimuli, other senses (e.g. hearing and Smell) become more acute. This heightened sensory perception help to improve mindfulness and awareness.

Hormonal Balance

Exposure to darkness stimulates the production of melatonin, which has antioxidant properties and plays a role in regulating other hormones. This can improve hormonal balance and immunity from diseases.

Hormonal Balance

Exposure to darkness stimulates the production of melatonin, which has antioxidant properties and plays a role in regulating other hormones. This can improve hormonal balance and immunity from diseases.

Mental Health Benefits

Spending time in dark environments helps to alleviate the symptoms of mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety, by encouraging introspection and emotional regulation.

Mental Health Benefits

Spending time in dark environments helps to alleviate the symptoms of mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety, by encouraging introspection and emotional regulation.

Enhanced Memory

Reduced light exposure supports memory consolidation by improving focus and mental clarity. This heightened state allows the brain to process and store information more efficiently, strengthening long-term memory retention.

Enhanced Memory

Reduced light exposure supports memory consolidation by improving focus and mental clarity. This heightened state allows the brain to process and store information more efficiently, strengthening long-term memory retention.

Enhanced Learning

Reduced light exposure enhances focus and concentration, creating an ideal environment in which to learn new skills or information. By minimizing distractions, it helps individuals to absorb and retain knowledge more effectively.

Enhanced Learning

Reduced light exposure enhances focus and concentration, creating an ideal environment in which to learn new skills or information. By minimizing distractions, it helps individuals to absorb and retain knowledge more effectively.

Physical Health Improvements

Darkness can help lower blood pressure, reduce inflammation, and improve cardiovascular health. It also supports the body’s natural detoxification processes and reduces oxidative stress.

Physical Health Improvements

Darkness can help lower blood pressure, reduce inflammation, and improve cardiovascular health. It also supports the body’s natural detoxification processes and reduces oxidative stress.

interview with

Ananda jey

the founder of Within on the origins of the Ultimate Darkness Retreat

Go to videos

tHE Ultimate Darkness Retreat

tHE Ultimate Darkness Retreat

tHE Ultimate Darkness Retreat

tHE Ultimate Darkness Retreat

Ananda Jey interview
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Women do fitness

Within The Ultimate Darkness Retreat Programmes

7 or 6-day programme
WITH 4 OR 3 DAYS IN TOTAL DARKNESS AND SILENCE

7 or 6-day programme
WITH 4 OR 3 DAYS IN TOTAL DARKNESS AND SILENCE

7 or 6-day programme
WITH 4 OR 3 DAYS IN TOTAL DARKNESS AND SILENCE

Highlights:

4 OR 3 days in total darkness • Daily support from counsellors • Satsang • Circle of trust • Guided breathing techniques • Cold exposure • Mindful walking • Reflexology • Sound Healing • Self-evaluation and counselling session • Introductory night in darkness • Organic meals • Sharing meetings with Within community

PRICES:

PRICES:

6-Day Programme: €2,100 (all inclusive)
7-Day Programme: €2,450 (all inclusive)
6-Day Programme: €2,100 (all inclusive)
7-Day Programme: €2,450 (all inclusive)

12 or 9-day programme WITH 8 OR 6 DAYS IN TOTAL DARKNESS AND SILENCE

Highlights:

8 OR 6 days in total darkness • Daily support from counsellors • Satsang • Circle of trust • Guided breathing techniques • Cold exposure • Mindful walking • Reflexology • Sound Healing • Self-evaluation and counselling session • Introductory night in darkness • Organic meals • Sharing meetings with Within community •  Personalised reintegration

PRICES:

PRICES:

9-Day Programme: €3,650 (all inclusive)
12-Day Programme: €4,250 (all inclusive)
6-Day Programme: €2,100 (all inclusive)
7-Day Programme: €2,450 (all inclusive)

Within The Ultimate Darkness Retreat spans either 6 to 7 transformative days or our extended 9 to 12-day immersive journeys, centered around extended time in a specially designed cabin, creating the perfect environment for deep healing through complete darkness. The journey begins with a warm welcome, self-awareness conversation, and an introduction to essential techniques, followed by your first night in the cabin.


The first two days are designed for deep unplugging, allowing the nervous system to slow down and the mind to begin settling. Through meditation, breathwork, grounding practices, and carefully selected modalities, you will be supported emotionally and spiritually to prepare for the darkness experience.


Depending on your chosen program, you spend either 3, 4, 6 or 8 days fully immersed in darkness, allowing the healing environment to facilitate deep personal transformation. Daily counselling and spiritual support and nourishing meals delivered directly ensure uninterrupted focus.


After you gently emerge from the darkness you are welcomed back into the light with a special sunrise ceremony. This is followed by a group sharing circle, allowing space to integrate the experience together.


The final day supports grounding, embodiment, and a gentle return to the external world.


6-Day Programme with 3 days in Darkness Experience - €2,100


7-Day Programme with 4 days in Darkness Experience - €2,450


9-Day Programme with 6 days in Darkness Experience - €3,650


12-Day Programme with 8 days in Darkness Experience - €4,250

Darkness Cabin: Sleeping area

Woman on bed in cabin

Darkness cabin: Meditation area

Darkness Cabin: Sleeping area

Darkness Cabin: Dining area

Reflexology Session

Man on massage

Darkness Cabin: Patio

Cabin entrence

Reflexology Session

Guided Breathing Session

peoples meditating

Darkness Cabin: Bathing Area

Sound-Healing Session

sould healing

Darkness Cabin: Patio

Letter to Yourself

man writes a latter

Satsang Group Meditation

Darkness cabin: Meditation area

Man meditating

Guided Breathing Session

Darkness cabin: Meditation area

Darkness Cabin: Dining area

Woman eating

Darkness Cabin: Dining area

Darkness Cabin: Bathing Area

Woman takes a shower

Organic vegan meal

Satsang Group Meditation

poeple meditating

Sound-Healing Session

Organic vegan meal

table with food

Cold Exposure Session

Cold Exposure Session

woman takes bath

Letter to Yourself

Counselling Session

two womans talking to each other in room

Counselling Session

Those who seek more time for reflection may opt to purchase an additional day and night in the darkness cabin (€350). This can facilitate further introspection and enable you to prepare to integrate your journey with the return to daily life.

Those who seek more time for reflection may opt to purchase an additional day and night in the darkness cabin (€350). This can facilitate further introspection and enable you to prepare to integrate your journey with the return to daily life.

Those who seek more time for reflection may opt to purchase an additional day and night in the darkness cabin (€350). This can facilitate further introspection and enable you to prepare to integrate your journey with the return to daily life.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is Within Darkness Retreat?

arrow top icon

Within The Ultimate Darkness Retreat will support you to achieve a profound exploration of yourself, devoid of external distractions, by spending time in complete darkness. This unique retreat combines therapeutic support, meditation, and other healing practices to foster inner peace, self-awareness, and personal transformation.

How should I prepare for the retreat?

arrow top icon

There’s no preparation protocol. We just recommend to consume nutritious foods, stay hydrated, engage in gentle physical activities, and avoid substances such as drugs, alcohol, and caffeine. Meditation or mindfulness techniques are helpful as well to acclimate to darkness by spending time in dimly lit environments.

What should I bring to the retreat?

arrow top icon

Please bring comfortable clothing, personal care items and any necessary medications. A detailed list, refer to our packing guide​: “What to bring to the retreat?

Will there be support to help me adjust to the darkness?

arrow top icon

Absolutely. We provide gradual exposure to darkness, ergonomic cabin design, and psychological support to help you adjust. You will learn the layout of the cabin with lights on before the darkness period begins, and our team will be making sure you are ready to enjoy your time within.

Can my family be informed of my journey while in darkness?

arrow top icon

You can communicate before darkness time and after. We don’t have as part of protocol to contact during the 3 days of darkness, but if there’s a special request, we can attend it.

What meals are provided during the retreat?

arrow top icon

All meals are vegan and prepared to high-quality standards by a recognized chef. You will receive once a day your meals that include a variety of fruits, warm dishes, and beverages delivered to your cabin to maintain the darkness experience. The timing of meal delivery varies to support your healing process without time concerns.

Can I do the cabin time with another person inside the cabin?

arrow top icon

The retreat is designed for individual experiences to ensure personal connection within. Sharing the cabin with another person is not allowed to maintain the integrity of the experience.

Who can attend the Within Darkness Retreat?

arrow top icon

Our retreat is open to guests seeking mental clarity, deeper connection with themselves, self-love as well as alternative treatments for burnout, stress and anxiety. However, for the best of the experience, our Retreat Counsel will guide our guests with steps before coming to Darkness in case is recommended. Please review our exclusion criteria for detailed information.

How do I get to the retreat?

arrow top icon

The closes airport is Poznan International Airport, But you can also land in Warsaw and come by train, car or helicopter. We provide support for local transportation arrangements from the airport, train station, or by car. Detailed travel instructions and suggestions will be provided upon booking​.

Will I be in complete darkness the entire time?

arrow top icon

Yes, you will spend most of your time in complete darkness within a specially designed cabin from outside and from inside with high standard quality and comfort of a 5 stars hotel. However, you have the freedom to turn on the lights or leave the cabin if needed as doors are open.

Is there psychological support available during the retreat?

arrow top icon

Our team includes trained therapists and retreat counselors who provide support before, during, and after the retreat. You will have access to individual sessions, group discussions, and special assistance if needed. Every day our counsel retreat will come to the cabin to check on you. You can chose to talk to our counsel retreat or not, and if needed it, our retreat counsel can come more than once a day.

What alternative therapies are available at the retreat?

arrow top icon

The retreat includes various therapies such as sound healing, breathing exercises, cold exposure, somatic experiences, and therapeutic massages. These therapies are integrated into the retreat schedule to enhance your journey of self-discovery before entering the cabin.

When are the alternative therapies done?

arrow top icon

During preparation day, before darkness time. Specific times include guided meditation, sound healing sessions, and therapeutic massages. The exact schedule will be provided upon arrival and tailored to your needs.

Can I choose a specific alternative therapy before darkness time?

arrow top icon

Yes, you can choose from aromatherapy, reflexology, or somatic experience. These sessions are designed to help you relax and prepare for the time in darkness. And you will receive before lights are off.

What is Within Darkness Retreat?

arrow top icon

Within The Ultimate Darkness Retreat will support you to achieve a profound exploration of yourself, devoid of external distractions, by spending time in complete darkness. This unique retreat combines therapeutic support, meditation, and other healing practices to foster inner peace, self-awareness, and personal transformation.

How should I prepare for the retreat?

arrow top icon

There’s no preparation protocol. We just recommend to consume nutritious foods, stay hydrated, engage in gentle physical activities, and avoid substances such as drugs, alcohol, and caffeine. Meditation or mindfulness techniques are helpful as well to acclimate to darkness by spending time in dimly lit environments.

What should I bring to the retreat?

arrow top icon

Please bring comfortable clothing, personal care items and any necessary medications. A detailed list, refer to our packing guide​: “What to bring to the retreat?

Will there be support to help me adjust to the darkness?

arrow top icon

Absolutely. We provide gradual exposure to darkness, ergonomic cabin design, and psychological support to help you adjust. You will learn the layout of the cabin with lights on before the darkness period begins, and our team will be making sure you are ready to enjoy your time within.

Can my family be informed of my journey while in darkness?

arrow top icon

You can communicate before darkness time and after. We don’t have as part of protocol to contact during the 3 days of darkness, but if there’s a special request, we can attend it.

What meals are provided during the retreat?

arrow top icon

All meals are vegan and prepared to high-quality standards by a recognized chef. You will receive once a day your meals that include a variety of fruits, warm dishes, and beverages delivered to your cabin to maintain the darkness experience. The timing of meal delivery varies to support your healing process without time concerns.

Can I do the cabin time with another person inside the cabin?

arrow top icon

The retreat is designed for individual experiences to ensure personal connection within. Sharing the cabin with another person is not allowed to maintain the integrity of the experience.

Who can attend the Within Darkness Retreat?

arrow top icon

Our retreat is open to guests seeking mental clarity, deeper connection with themselves, self-love as well as alternative treatments for burnout, stress and anxiety. However, for the best of the experience, our Retreat Counsel will guide our guests with steps before coming to Darkness in case is recommended. Please review our exclusion criteria for detailed information.

How do I get to the retreat?

arrow top icon

The closes airport is Poznan International Airport, But you can also land in Warsaw and come by train, car or helicopter. We provide support for local transportation arrangements from the airport, train station, or by car. Detailed travel instructions and suggestions will be provided upon booking​.

Will I be in complete darkness the entire time?

arrow top icon

Yes, you will spend most of your time in complete darkness within a specially designed cabin from outside and from inside with high standard quality and comfort of a 5 stars hotel. However, you have the freedom to turn on the lights or leave the cabin if needed as doors are open.

Is there psychological support available during the retreat?

arrow top icon

Our team includes trained therapists and retreat counselors who provide support before, during, and after the retreat. You will have access to individual sessions, group discussions, and special assistance if needed. Every day our counsel retreat will come to the cabin to check on you. You can chose to talk to our counsel retreat or not, and if needed it, our retreat counsel can come more than once a day.

What alternative therapies are available at the retreat?

arrow top icon

The retreat includes various therapies such as sound healing, breathing exercises, cold exposure, somatic experiences, and therapeutic massages. These therapies are integrated into the retreat schedule to enhance your journey of self-discovery before entering the cabin.

When are the alternative therapies done?

arrow top icon

During preparation day, before darkness time. Specific times include guided meditation, sound healing sessions, and therapeutic massages. The exact schedule will be provided upon arrival and tailored to your needs.

Can I choose a specific alternative therapy before darkness time?

arrow top icon

Yes, you can choose from aromatherapy, reflexology, or somatic experience. These sessions are designed to help you relax and prepare for the time in darkness. And you will receive before lights are off.

Testimonials

Testimonials

Testimonials

Umtata pt I

Umtata pt I

Umtata pt I

Jade

Jade

Jade

Sohbia

Sohbia

Sohbia

Sebastiaan

Sebastiaan

Sebastiaan

Edward

Edward

Edward

Wolf pt. I

Wolf pt. I

Wolf pt. I

BOOKING ENQUIRY

To reserve a place at the Within Darkness Retreat, please complete the form below. Our team will promptly contact you to confirm the reservation and answer any questions you may have in advance of this life-changing journey.

BOOKING ENQUIRY

To reserve a place at the Within Darkness Retreat, please complete the form below. Our team will promptly contact you to confirm the reservation and answer any questions you may have in advance of this life-changing journey.

BOOKING ENQUIRY

To reserve a place at the Within Darkness Retreat, please complete the form below. Our team will promptly contact you to confirm the reservation and answer any questions you may have in advance of this life-changing journey.

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