Details & Registration
Darkness Experiment V is happening April 23-27, 2027. It will begin on the afternoon of April 23th and end around 2pm on April 27th. All participants are welcome to stay until the morning of the 28th and use that day to integrate back into the light, spend time with other participants and enjoy the alumni dinner that happens the evening of the 27th.
Typically, almost all of the participants stay for this integration and it’s also a chance to enjoy the hot tubs and sauna on the property. There is no extra charge for this.
Location
Liberty Arising Retreat Center in Boulevard, California.
I deeply appreciate this retreat center and it’s associated community. Their integrity and commitment to the work of going within makes it an honor to host the Darkness Experiment with them.
The retreat center is approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes from the San Diego airport. While I don’t promise it, I do my best to arrange carpools for anyone flying in to San Diego airport to minimize the need for car rentals or taxis. So far I’ve been able to get everyone a ride that needs it.
Food
All food is included and deliciously prepared by our chef. We will start the retreat with a 36-hour water fast. Special considerations can be made for folks who need to alter this.
The rest of the retreat will be gluten-free meals, all prepared for you and in consideration of your individual dietary needs.
Price & Sleeping Accommodations
The base price is $1250 USD, which includes a mattress on the ground in a shared dorm of up to 12 people.
There are 4 private rooms available. They are priced at $2600 for a solo occupant and $3800 for two people ($1900/person). Each private room has one queen size bed.
Payment plans are available. There is an opportunity for 6 people to volunteer to help for one day at the end of the retreat for a discounted ticket ($300 discount). Volunteers will be done by the morning of April 28th. You will see an option to inquire more about that in the application.
Feel free to contact Dave with any questions.
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FAQ
How many people come to this retreat?
Maximum of 22 participants.
What do you mean when you say “dark”? Low light or completely dark?
The house will be completely dark. Zero light. No different than if you were blind and had no use of your eyes. You will be forced to rely on your other senses.
Is the 36-hour fast mandatory? What if my body doesn’t respond well to fasts?
While we certainly believe fasting can have lots of benefits, we also recognize it’s not for everyone, all the time. We can work with you to make exceptions as needed.
What if I have medication or things I need to find during the retreat?
We all will adapt to the dark, and that includes coming up with ways to make sure we can find the things we need. Maybe that means coming up with a special label system that allows you to feel labels instead of read them. We’re happy to help you, but we encourage you to get creative and find solutions that work for you.
Do you offer any scholarships or ways to make the retreat more accessible?
It’s important to me for this retreat to be within reach for anyone who wants to come. I offer a $300 discount for volunteers (6 maximum), which brings the lowest price down to $950. If you have additional questions or requests please email Dave.
Any other questions?
To go in the dark with a light is to know the light.
To know the dark, go dark. Go without sight,
and find that the dark, too, blooms and sings,
and is traveled by dark feet and dark wings.
~ Wendell Berry