Frequently Asked Questions

A dark retreat is an immersive experience in sustained darkness, designed to support deep inward reflection, rest, and personal exploration. In the absence of visual and external sensory input, the mind and body naturally shift into a quieter, more reflective state. This creates space for emotions, memories, and insights to surface without the usual distractions of daily life. 

Dark retreats are designed for individuals who are curious about inner work, have a stable foundation in their lives, and are open to exploring their internal landscape. If you are someone who has a history of contemplative practice, feels drawn to periods of solitude, or is seeking a supported container for self-inquiry, you may find this experience meaningful. It is not designed for those in acute crisis or without a stable support system. 

Readiness includes both practical and emotional factors. In general, we encourage participants to have: 

• A stable living situation and daily routine 
• Some experience with meditation, breathwork, or reflective practices
• The willingness to sit with discomfort and uncertainty without needing to control outcomes 
• Curiosity and openness to inner experience 
• A support network of friends, family, or therapists nearby 

We conduct a screening conversation before confirming your participation. This is not meant to exclude anyone unnecessarily, but to help ensure your safety and the likelihood of a positive experience. If you are not quite ready, we will help point you toward gentler options such as shorter immersions, therapy, or other supportive practices. 

While most adults can safely participate in a dark retreat, certain conditions may increase risk and require extra care or exclusion. We generally do not recommend a dark retreat for individuals who: 

• Have a history of psychosis or active hallucinations 
• Have active or recent suicidal ideation or self-harm behaviors - Have untreated bipolar disorder or recent manic episodes 
• Are currently navigating acute grief or trauma without professional support
• Have severe cognitive rigidity or inability to reflect on inner states 
• Have no support system or stable environment to return to after the retreat 

These decisions are made collaboratively, and in many cases, we may simply recommend waiting until certain life circumstances are more stable. We are always happy to discuss alternatives that may be a better fit in the moment. 

Yes, we encourage you to consult with your healthcare provider or mental health professional before committing to a dark retreat. This is especially important if you: have a history of mental health challenges;, are taking psychotropic medications, or are in active clinical care. We never recommend changing or stopping medications without consulting your provider. 

Your therapist may also be a helpful resource for integration after the retreat. We welcome collaboration with your care team and can communicate with them (with your written consent) to help support your experience.

Arrival is designed as the first step of the retreat, not just logistics, but a shift in state. 

You will arrive a few hours before sunset on Sunday. 

During this time: 

• We begin with a gentle orientation, including walking the land, familiarizing you with the cabin, and reviewing daily rhythms. 
• You will be introduced to the space slowly to support nervous system downshifting and environmental predictability. 
• We will review food delivery, communication protocols, and safety procedures. 
• You will have time to settle in, unpack, and begin disengaging from external demands. 
• You will have the opportunity to use the infrared sauna, cold plunge, hot tub, shift wave, massage chair, and visit the ranch animals. 

We strongly recommend treating this day as part of the retreat: minimizing phone use, slowing your pace, and beginning to orient attention inward. 

We recommend bringing: 

• Comfortable clothing in soft, breathable fabrics 
• Warm layers (the mountain environment can be cool)
•  Slip-on shoes for navigating in the dark 
•  A small personal item that feels grounding (a stone, a written note, a scent) 
• Journal and pen, if you wish (you may use these before and after the dark period) 
• Any personal medications in their original containers 
• Any necessary toiletries you desire to have

We provide bedding, towels, and basic toiletries. You do not need to bring electronic devices; in fact, we encourage you to leave phones, tablets, and other distractions behind. If you must bring a phone, we recommend keeping it stored and turned off for the duration of the retreat.

Yes. Part of the arrival orientation includes a thorough walkthrough of the cabin so that you can develop a mental and tactile map of the space. You will learn where everything is by touch, how to navigate safely in the dark, and how to access the bathroom, bed, and meals. This reduces environmental anxiety and helps you feel confident moving around once the lights go out. 

If you have any mobility concerns or physical limitations, please let us know ahead of time so we can adapt the space and your orientation to meet your needs. 

Preparation happens on several levels. Before you arrive, we invite you to reflect on: 

- What draws you to this experience? What do you hope to find or understand? - What are you willing to let go of, even temporarily (opinions, goals, expectations)? 

- Who do you know you can reach out to if you need support after the retreat? 

To prepare mentally and emotionally:

Rather than focusing on rigid goals, we emphasize: 

• Clarifying intentions as directional (e.g., “being with,” “listening inward,” “allowing”), not outcome-driven. 
• Cultivating embodied markers of safety and positive affect (e.g., warmth in the chest, groundedness in the body). 
• Practicing awareness of breath, sensation, and emotional tone without needing to change them.

Facilitators may guide you to: 

• Sense into what “letting go” feels like in your body. 
• Identify supportive internal resources (breath, posture, touch). ● Notice any anticipatory anxiety and relate to it with curiosity rather than resistance. 

This phase is about shaping your internal “set”—not controlling the experience, but preparing how you meet it. 

Fear of darkness or solitude is a common and valid concern. Before confirming a dark retreat, we explore this with you during the screening process to understand the nature of your fear and whether this experience feels appropriate for you now. 

Some individuals find that darkness therapy is exactly the container they need to work through their fear in a supported way. Others may benefit more from shorter 

periods of darkness, working with a therapist, or doing gentler preparatory practices before committing to a full immersion. We will help you decide what feels right. 

If you do proceed, knowing that you can exit at any time, that staff are nearby, and that you will be oriented to the space beforehand can be deeply reassuring. Many participants report that their initial fear gave way to a surprising sense of safety and ease within the first few hours of darkness. 

Our experience is intended to be three full days (72 hours) in sustained darkness. We have curated the experience to include a half day prior to entering to settle in, and one full day and night after emergence to integrate. Many participants find that additional time before and after, especially after, is deeply beneficial. 

Once in the dark, you are in complete darkness with no external light sources. Your day unfolds without the usual structure of clocks, schedules, or outside stimuli: 

• You sleep and wake according to your body's own rhythm. In the first 24-48 hours, many participants report sleeping deeply and at length. As the retreat progresses, sleep patterns often shift. This is normal. 
• Meals are delivered once daily, through a light-sealed double door entry. Three organic meals and filtered mountain water are provided.
• The cabin is well insulated and maintains a comfortable temperature year-round. 
• Aside from meal delivery, you are undisturbed. Optional check-ins can be arranged (once or twice daily) if desired. 
• You will have access to a communication method from inside the dark space if you have questions or need anything. This may be a call button, an intercom, or a simple prearranged signal such as a bell or knocking. You can use this at any time to request additional support or reassurance, a conversation with a facilitator, adjustments to your environment (temperature, lighting, etc.), to exit the space or end the retreat. 

Your safety is always the priority. There is never any expectation that you should endure distress without asking for help. 

Experiences in the dark vary widely, and there is no single "correct" way to go through it. 

Common experiences include: 

• Vivid dreams or dream-like states during waking hours 
• Intensified memories or emotional processing 
• Altered perception of time and space 
• Periods of stillness, clarity, or spaciousness 
• Heightened body awareness, including heartbeat, breath, and other internal sensations 
• Geometric imagery, lights, or patterns (these are normal phenomena of the visual cortex in the absence of input) 
• Moments of grief, joy, fear, peace, or all of the above 

Some people report profound insights or a sense of reconnection with themselves or others. Others experience the retreat primarily as deep rest. Both are valid outcomes. 

We strongly encourage complete disconnection from electronic devices before, during, and after the retreat. This is not a requirement but a strong recommendation for maximizing the restorative and transformative potential of the immersion. If you choose to use your phone during the arrival or integration days, we invite you to do so mindfully and with clear boundaries.

Yes. You may choose to end your immersion at any point, for any reason. This is an important part of informed consent and is designed to reduce psychological pressure. If you do choose to exit early, we will support you in landing safely and in understanding what, if anything, you would like to take forward from the experience. 

We fully support your choice to end your experience when it feels right for you, however, please note:, If you choose to end the experience early, we do not have an option for a refund.

When properly screened, prepared, and supported, dark retreats can be conducted safely. However, they are not without risk, and informed consent is an essential part of this process. 

Our commitment to safety includes: 

• A thorough screening and readiness review before accepting participants - A well-prepared, navigable, and well-ventilated environment 
• Clear communication protocols and support availability at all times
• A clear Right to Exit policy: you can end the immersion at any time - An Emergency Action Plan for responding to distress or crisis - Post-retreat integration support and follow-up 

This is a question we explore carefully together during screening. For some individuals with a history of depression, anxiety, or trauma, a dark retreat can be a powerful therapeutic experience when approached with care and appropriate support. For others, the intensity of the dark may not be advisable at this time. We take a flexible, case-by-case approach. We will consider your current state of stability, your support system, your experience with contemplative practice, and the recommendations of any healthcare providers involved in your care. If we feel a dark retreat is not the right step at this moment, we will help you identify alternatives that may be more suitable. 

While most participants navigate the experience safely, potential risks include: 

• Temporary emotional distress, anxiety, or panic 
• Resurfacing of traumatic memories 
• Disruption of sleep patterns during and after the retreat 
• Feelings of disorientation, dissociation, or altered sense of self 
• Strain on relationships or daily functioning during the integration period 
• In rare cases, worsening of pre-existing mood or anxiety conditions 

We prepare participants for the range of possible experiences and maintain clear pathways for support throughout the process. 

We maintain a formal emergency response procedure that includes:

• Clear thresholds for when facilitator intervention is warranted 
• Stepwise de-escalation strategies (verbal support, grounding practices, light exposure, exit) 
• Access to a trained onsite facilitator
• Pre-established pathways for medical or psychological emergency transport if needed 
• Defined contact information for nearby medical facilities

These protocols are reviewed and refined regularly based on emerging best practices in experiential and contemplative therapies. 

Yes. Before participating, you will be asked to review and sign a Statement of Informed Consent. This document covers the purpose of the program, what will happen during your retreat, potential risks and benefits, your rights as a participant, and the measures we have in place to support your safety. We encourage you to read this carefully, ask questions, and take the time you need to make an informed decision. 

Your retreat fee includes: 

• Pre-retreat screening and preparation conversation 
• One full day and night for arrival and settling in 
• Three full days (72 hours) in sustained darkness 
• One full day and night for emergence and integration 
• Three organic meals per day (delivered through a light seal) 
• Filtered mountain water 
• Well-ventilated, temperature-controlled accommodation 
• Daily caretaking (fueling, food delivery, basic support) 
• Facilitator availability throughout 
• Post-retreat follow-up contact

At this time, unfortunately no. Each Dark Caves experience has been intentionally designed with a specific duration to support the full arc of preparation, immersion, and integration. This structure reflects the experience we believe delivers the greatest benefit for our guests.

Additionally, each retreat is carefully scheduled to allow our team the necessary time to prepare the space for the next arriving guests. For these reasons, we are unable to accommodate extended stays at this time.

To reserve your place, a deposit is required at the time of booking. The remaining balance is due no later than 14 days before your experience begins. Any outstanding balance will be automatically charged prior to the start of your experience.

Our cancellation policy is as follows:

• 60 or more days before your experience: Receive a full refund of all payments made, including your deposit. To request a refund, email darkcaves@omya.life.
• 22–59 days before your experience: You may receive a 50% refund, provided your spot is filled by another participant. If we are unable to fill your spot, no refund will be issued.
• 21 days or fewer before your experience: No refunds will be issued, and all payments are forfeited.
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Transferring Your Experience

If you're unable to attend, you may transfer your reservation to a future available experience at no additional charge, provided you notify us at least 30 days before your scheduled arrival.

If Omya Cancels

In the unlikely event that Omya cancels or postpones your experience, you may choose either a full refund of all payments made or transfer your reservation to a future available date.