Luminous Dark: Transformational Practice of Dark Retreat with Andrew Holecek

How to harness the dark to illuminate the mind 

For millennia, contemplatives across traditions have turned to darkness as a teacher. Deprived of external light, the senses relax, the mind quiets, and deeper layers of consciousness begin to emerge. Tibetan yogis speak of visions of spontaneous luminosity, while modern practitioners report profound rest, healing, and encounters with the depths of awareness itself.

In this session, Andrew Holecek — a long-time student of Tibetan Buddhism and one of the leading Western voices on dream yoga and darkness retreat — will guide us into the theory and practice of this rare and powerful path. We will explore the science and spirituality of sensory deprivation, the stages of perception that arise in extended darkness, and how to prepare safely for this practice in our own lives.

Whether you are curious about the ancient roots of darkness retreat or seeking a direct method for turning inward, this event offers a doorway into a luminous dimension hidden in the heart of night.

About Andrew Holecek

Andrew Holecek is an interdisciplinary scholar-practitioner in Tibetan Buddhism, has completed the Tibetan Buddhist three-year retreat and is a frequent subject in scientific studies on meditation and lucid dreaming. He is the Resident Contemplative Scholar at the Institute for Advanced Consciousness Studies, and a research consultant for the Cognitive Neuroscience Program at Northwestern University. His work involves studies on dream yoga and the practice of dark retreat. Dr. Holecek is a member of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, the author of nine books, and a concert pianist. 

His work integrates ancient wisdom traditions with contemporary perspectives, aiming to help individuals navigate spiritual challenges and end-of-life experiences. Holecek holds degrees in classical music, biology, and a doctorate in dental surgery. As a long-time student of Buddhism, he frequently presents this tradition from a contemporary perspective – blending the ancient wisdom of the East with modern knowledge from the West.

Drawing on years of intensive study and practice, he teaches on the opportunities that exist in obstacles, helping people with hardship and pain, death and dying, and problems in meditation. Known as an expert on lucid dreaming and the Tibetan yogas of sleep and dream, he is an experienced guide for students drawn to these powerful nocturnal practices.

Andrew Holecek is the author of many books and offers seminars internationally on meditation, lucid dreaming, and dream yoga. He is the author of Dream Yoga: Illuminating Your Life Through Lucid Dreaming and the Tibetan Yogas of Sleep, the audio learning course, Dream Yoga: The Tibetan Path of Awakening Through Lucid Dreaming, Dreams of Light: The Profound Daytime Practice of Lucid Dreaming, and The Lucid Dreaming Workbook: A Step-by-Step Guide to Mastering Your Dream Life,  Reverse Meditation: How to Use Your Pain and Most Difficult Emotions as the Doorway to Inner Freedom, and I’m Mindful, Now What? (See all of his books). Dr. Holecek is a member of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, and the author of scientific papers on lucid dreaming.

REFUNDS: Please note that we do not arrange refunds or exchanges. We welcome swapping or reselling your tickets with people you know.