181. One Month Alone in the Dark: A Journey into Presence with Andrew Holecek

Andrew Holecek is a meditation teacher and author whose work bridges lucid dreaming, dark retreats, non-dualism, and preparing for death through the lens of Buddhism. A former dentist turned spiritual practitioner, he spent years in monasteries and immersive retreats, including a month in complete darkness. His path is rooted in stripping away distraction to cultivate radical presence.

Om Podcasten

We grew up in a world we didn’t create. And one idea after the next—whether it was culture or society—we were told how to look, how to feel, and who to be. We were told that if we checked off the “right” boxes (think: career, car, money), we’d feel good, we’d be whole, and—naturally—we’d be set. But, turns out, there’s more to the story. On The Great Unlearn, Cal dives into unlearning and questioning what the world taught us, and—in the process—how to be the truest version of yourself, minus the bullshit. Whether it’s figuring out how to navigate a relationship, dealing with your emotions, diving into spirituality, or just feeling comfortable in your own skin, Cal and friends navigate the choppy waters of what it really takes to unlearn all the ideas we took for granted, and how to be the best version of what, sometimes, can be so hard to be: yourself.