048 | BE and Allow What Is with Darkness Therapy: A Substance-Free Psychedelic w/ Scott Berman
Today we are going to be exploring something that is on the cutting edge of spirituality and personal growth these days: darkness retreats. This consists of spending three to ten days in the pitch darkness and solitude. It’s a profound experience that is very psychedelic (without the substances). It comes as no surprise that darkness therapy is an ancient modality that has been used by ancient indigenous peoples across the globe. Only recently has it reached North America, and the founder of the first darkness retreat in America is today's guest. Scott Berman is the creator and founder of Sky Cave Retreats. Throughout the last decade, he has spent over two years in self-guided solo retreats in remote wilderness. He did his first dark retreat in 2012 and has spent over 70 days in multiple darkness retreats and has also done a couple with his wife. He has supported and facilitated over 250 dark retreats at his center in Ashland, Oregon. We talk about the similarities and differences between darkness medicine and plant medicine, endogenous DMT production in the darkness, redefining spirituality, and so much more.