Awakening in Darkness

Could Pitch Black Darkness Immersion be the Key to Your Spiritual Awakening?

Darkness changes our brain chemistry, literally, and perceptions change over the week. The changes are catalysed by the breath, which also stimulates the release of psychoactive brain chemicals. The journey is like a dream happening in a womb.

About

Darkness is not simply the absence of light. It is everything that becomes visible when light is removed. For most of human history, night and Darkness were essential parts of our psychological, spiritual and cultural lives. Yet in the modern world, artificial light has almost completely erased true darkness from our experience.

In this talk we explore the hidden power of Darkness through cultural, neurochemical, spiritual and historical lenses, guided by the host of the UK’s only dedicated Darkness Hotel.

Across traditions and cultures, extended time in Darkness has been used as a tool for transformation, introspection and altered states of consciousness. From ancient initiation rituals and shamanic practices to modern retreats, Darkness has long been seen as a gateway to deeper layers of the psyche.

Science is beginning to catch up with what many traditions have long understood. Darkness stimulates the production of melatonin, the hormone that regulates our sleep cycles and supports cellular repair. Prolonged Darkness can also influence serotonin balance and the brain’s default mode network, the tryptophan devoid of it's light dark cycles skips serotonin production and moves towards deeper psychoactive states through the release of pinoline, 5-meo DMT and eventually N,N DMT encouraging dreamlike imagery, vivid inner perception,heightened creativity and psychedelic states. Many people who spend time in Darkness report increased emotional clarity, deep rest, and powerful insights that emerge when the constant stimulation of the visual world fades away.

During the talk we will explore why Darkness has been used in contemplative traditions around the world, what happens in the brain and body when we remove light, and how modern Darkness retreats are reviving these ancient practices. The session will offer a glimpse into the worlds that begin to open when we step away from constant illumination and allow the senses to turn inward.

Towards the end of the talk there will be space for questions and discussion.

What to Expect

• 45 min talk on Darkness with Greg Manning
• 20 min Q & A.

Your Speaker

Greg Manning

Greg has been studying and facilitating healing practices for over 20 years, and works full time running healing retreats and events across multiple disciplines, including breathwork, shadow work and kambo, and offers training in energy healing, shamanic healing, breathwork and kambo. He also runs pilgrimages to the strongest energy vortices of the world, and to meet and work with indigenous shamanic practitioners across the Americas.

After experiencing 5 different types of Darkness retreat, he began running his own in 2015, and has run several each year as communal retreats before settling at a venue which is to dedicated to this ancient powerful practice - the first Darkness Hotel in the UK.

Greg brings an in-depth understanding and experience of holistic healing, developed and inspired by ancient practices blended with modern therapeutic techniques. The techniques taught in this retreat are a condensed version of skills taught as part of an energy healing syllabus in the Shadow of the Shaman 2 year course which involves 64 days of in-person training

---

Want to Experience Darkness for Yourself?

Book your spot on this Retreat

If you are interested in taking this booking to the next stage, please fill out the following form through this link

https://form.jotformeu.com/82487465184367

Feedback from Previous Darkness Retreats

"I attended Greg's darkness retreat in June, on the brink of burn-out and suffering from a long bout of major procrastination; I went more intrigued rather than armed with any set expectations - I had never been on such a retreat before, and I can honestly say that the retreat was absolutely amazing. Asides from Greg being a superb host and chef (best food ever), through the well thought out daily routine of movement/meditations, Greg created a truly safe space in which I could properly go into myself and experience a deeper, undisturbed understanding of myself. It was also a nice touch to experience this in a comfortable environment and without blindfolds - such was Greg's attention to detail in creating a darkness that could rival the deepest, darkest depths of an unlit cave. I left the retreat truly rested and appreciative, fully energised, and excited about getting back into the mix ready to start actioning all the things on my to-do list - any baggage left in the dark! It was a profound experience and although perhaps not for everyone, for anyone drawn to it, I'd fully recommend Greg's darkness retreat, and I would (will be) certainly do (doing) this again." - Jacqueline Latham

The Rebirth Darkness retreat has been the most transformational experience I have ever had. I have literally been reborn. This difference this time is that I now have responsibility for myself which feels good but also a bit scary. I have had so many insights and realisations since leaving, and guidance towards where I need to go in this life.' - Emma Sampson