Darkness Retreat Policies: Safety, Booking & Health Requirem

True freedom emerges not from the absence of boundaries, but from boundaries that serve the highest good.

Our policies aren’t restrictions. They are loving boundaries that create and protect the sacred container of your darkness experience. Each guideline serves the deeper purpose of maintaining the integrity of your transformative journey and ensuring the safety and depth of experience for all guests.

preparation

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Substance Guidelines: Preparing Your Inner Environment

Alcohol, Drugs, and Smoking

Pre-Retreat Preparation

Complete cessation recommended for one week before your retreat
Minimum requirement: Four days without using before arrival
No substances allowed during the retreat itself

Why This Matters: Stimulants, depressants, and consciousness-altering substances can:

Keep you trapped in mental patterns rather than dropping into deeper states
Interfere with the natural neurochemical processes darkness initiates
Prevent access to the profound states of clarity and insight that arise naturally
Create dependency on external substances rather than trusting your inner capacity to meet discomfort and transform

If You Have Regular Habits: If you regularly use any of these substances and find it difficult to stop:

Begin tapering your dose at least one week before arrival
Consider whether this is the right time for a darkness retreat
Discuss your situation honestly during the preparation consultation
Remember: the goal is creating optimal conditions for transformation

The darkness will show you states of consciousness far more profound than any substance can provide – but only if your system is clear enough to receive them.

Caffeine

Gradual Reduction Recommended

Taper caffeine intake in the week before arrival
Eliminate completely 2-3 days before your retreat
No caffeine during the retreat

Managing Withdrawal:

A gradual caffeine reduction prevents severe withdrawal headaches
Herbal teas are available during your retreat
The natural energy states that emerge in darkness often surprise former caffeine users

Technology and Light Policies: Protecting the Sacred Darkness

Complete Light Elimination

What Will Be Collected for Safekeeping:

Mobile phones and smartphones
Tablets, laptops, and electronic devices
Digital watches with backlight displays
Flashlights, torches, and any portable lighting
Charging devices with LED indicators
Any device that emits any form of light

Why This Is Non-Negotiable: Even the smallest amount of light can:

Disrupt the delicate neurochemical processes darkness initiates
Prevent the profound brain state changes that occur in complete darkness
Shift you out of the transcendent states that can take days to achieve
Compromise the experience not just for you, but for your overall integration

Items That May Need Modification:

Electric toothbrushes (small indicator lights covered with tape)
Medical devices (discussed case-by-case during preparation)
Emergency medical equipment (accommodated with light-blocking modifications)

Communication Isolation

Why External Communication Is Restricted:

Mental chatter from external concerns prevents deep inner listening
Emotional entanglements with outside dramas can keep you in reactive patterns
Decision-making about external matters keeps you in analytical rather than receptive states
The depth of transformation requires complete freedom from external demands

Emergency Communication:

True emergencies can be communicated through Greg
Family members will have emergency contact information
Non-urgent matters will be handled after your emergence

The temporary severing of external communication is what allows you to hear the deeper communications that arise from within.

Implications

Early Departure: Understanding the Implications

Your Freedom to Leave

Always Your Choice:

Doors are never locked - you can leave at any time
No physical restraint or coercion of any kind
Your autonomy is completely respected

Strong Recommendation for Consultation:

Before deciding to leave early, we strongly encourage speaking with Greg because:

Many challenges that arise in darkness can be worked through
Difficult experiences often precede major breakthroughs
What can feel overwhelming in darkness often shifts quickly with support
Premature departure may mean missing the very experiences you came for

Important Safety Considerations Should you Leave

Post-Darkness Sensitivity:

After extended time in darkness:

Light exposure can significantly alter your mental state
Driving may not be safe for 30-60 minutes after light exposure
Decision-making capacity may be temporarily affected
Emotional regulation may be altered by sudden light exposure

Re-Entry Impossibility:

You cannot quickly return to the deep states achieved over days
The neurochemical process cannot be instantly restarted
Integration opportunity may be lost
Investment in preparation cannot be recovered

Early Departure No Refund Policy

No refunds are provided for early departure
Preparation costs and facility reservation are non-recoverable
Staff time and resources will have already been dedicated to your full retreat
Integration support may still be provided if appropriate

This policy protects both the integrity of the process and the sustainability of our offering.

Booking and Cancellation Policies

Booking Requirements

Advance Consultation:

Preparation call required before booking confirmation
Assessment of readiness and appropriate duration
Medical clearance if relevant health concerns exist
Clear understanding of what the experience involves

Deposit and Payment:

50% deposit required to secure booking
Full payment due two weeks before arrival
Payment plans available for longer retreats

Cancellation Policy

More Than 30 Days Before Arrival: Full refund minus booking fee
30-14 Days Before Arrival: 50% refund of total cost
Less Than 14 Days Before Arrival: No refund available;
Rescheduling: may be possible based on availability

Emergency Circumstances:

Medical emergencies considered case-by-case
Documentation may be required
Rescheduling preferred over refund when possible

These policies protect both guests and our ability to maintain the quality and availability of this unique offering.

your safety

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Health and Safety Requirements

Physical Health Considerations

General Suitabilities:

Adults in reasonable physical health
Ability to move safely without vision assistance
Capacity for self-care in basic daily activities
No serious heart conditions or other conditions that could be stress-exacerbated

Requires Discussion:

Mental health medications (not prohibited but requires consultation)
Mobility limitations (may be accommodated with modifications)
Dietary restrictions or severe allergies
Previous trauma that might be triggered by isolation or darkness

Not Appropriate:

Medications that would be dangerous to manage in darkness

Mental Health Considerations

Not Appropriate For:

Active psychosis or severe untreated mental illness
Recent psychiatric hospitalization (within six months)
Acute suicidal ideation or self-harm risk
Severe PTSD without professional support

Recommended With Support:

History of depression or anxiety (often beneficial but requires discussion)
Trauma history (darkness work can be profoundly healing but needs preparation)
Spiritual emergence experiences (we're experienced in supporting these)

Facility Guidelines

Respect for Sacred Space

Your Room:

Keep your space organised for safety in darkness
Use water and bathroom facilities mindfully
Report any maintenance issues immediately via call button

Shared Spaces:

Bathroom cleanliness maintained weekly for longer retreats
Quiet hours respected even though all guests are in private rooms
Emergency exits kept clear at all times

Food and Dietary Guidelines

Provided Meals:

Two vegetarian meals daily delivered through discrete hatch
Special dietary needs accommodated with advance notice
Unlimited filtered water available on request

Outside Food:

No outside food during the retreat
Special dietary supplements may be permitted with discussion
Allergies and restrictions must be disclosed during booking

intentions

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The Deeper Purpose

These policies exist to serve the profound work you're undertaking. They're not arbitrary rules but boundaries that have emerged from years of experience supporting people through deep transformative processes.

Every guideline serves love - for your safety, for the depth of your experience, for the sacred process itself, and for all who follow in your footsteps.

Understanding and agreeing to these policies is part of your preparation. It demonstrates your commitment to the depth of transformation that darkness can offer.

Policies and Guidelines: Sacred Boundaries