Cameron's Staff Pick

Clearlight, Nonduality, and Dark Retreat

Name: Clearlight, Nonduality, and Dark Retreat
Start: 2025-06-30
End: 2025-07-06
Location: Menla
Rating: 4.5

4.502 reviews

375 Panterkill Road PO Box 70 Phoenicia, NY 12464 United States

June 30 - July 6, 2025

About this Retreat

Your Guides

Andrew

Robert

Andrew Holecek

Andrew Holecek is an author, speaker, and humanitarian who offers seminars internationally on meditation, lucid dreaming, and the art of dying. He is the author of many books, including The Power and the Pain: Transforming Spiritual Hardship into Joy, and Preparing to Die: Practical Advice and Spiritual Wisdom from the Tibetan Buddhist Tradition. Dr. Holecek is a member of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, and the coauthor of scientific papers on lucid dreaming. His work has appeared in Psychology Today, Parabola, Lion’s Roar, Tricycle, Utne Reader, Buddhadharma Magazine, Light of Consciousness, and many other periodicals. He also hosts the popular Edge of Mind podcast, conversations with leading-edge thinkers in the fields of science, philosophy, spirituality, psychology, integral studies, and the arts. Andrew is the founder of the international Night Club community, a support platform for the nocturnal meditations, and the co-founder of Global Dental Relief, which provides free oral health care to children in developing countries. He holds degrees in classical music, biology, and a doctorate in dental surgery. Learn more at andrewholecek.com.

Robert A.F. Thurman

Robert Thurman is Professor of Indo-Tibetan Buddhist Studies at Columbia University as well as co-founder and President of Tibet House US and it's Menla Retreat & Spa. A world-wide lecturer on Tibetan Buddhism, activist for the plight of the Tibetan people, translator of Buddhist texts, and writer of popular Buddhist books. He recently has been awarded the Padma Shri Award, India’s fourth highest civilian honor for achievement in enriching Indian education and literature. His most recent book is the 300 page graphic novel, Man of Peace: the Illustrated Life Story of the Dalai Lama of Tibet. Suggested Books & Audio by Robert A.F. Thurman: Man of Peace: Illustrated Life Story of Tibet’s Dalai Lama (Book), Infinite Life: Awakening to Bliss Within (Book), Anger: The Seven Deadly Sins (Book), Inner Revolution (Book), Circling the Sacred Mountain : A Spiritual Adventure Through the Himalayas (Book), Essential Tibetan Buddhism (Book), The Tibetan Book of the Dead: The Great Book of Natural Liberation Through Understanding in the Between (Book) The Jewel Tree of Tibet: The Enlightenment Engine of Tibetan Buddhism (Book), The Central Philosophy of Tibet (Book), The Holy Teaching of Vimalakirti: A Mahayana Scripture (Book), Life & Teachings of Tsong Khapa (Book), Why the Dalai Lama Matters: His Act of Truth as the Solution for China, Tibet, and the World (Book) & Liberation Upon Hearing in the Between: Living with the Tibetan Book of the Dead (Audio). To Learn More About Robert A.F. Thurman please visit: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

Details of this retreat

Clearlight or transparency (Sanskrit – prabhāsvarā) is the way enlightened beings describe the indescribable ultimate reality of freedom, which can only be experienced nondually. In the subtle body-mind teachings of various yogas and tantras, and even in the famous Book of Natural Liberation, aka “Book of the Dead,” its doorway is an experience of darkness. We all need to know reality and verify it in experience. In this context, the ancient practice of dark retreat is finding its way back into the modern world. Nonduality is a hot topic. In this retreat, we will explore the boundary between clearlight, darkness, and nonduality. We will learn how dark retreat connects to the experience of nonduality and is one of the best ways to approach it. You will learn the overall context of clearlight of freedom and everything you need to know to get started with dark practice at home and how to transition into formal retreat. This program explores how clearlight opens the mind about reality and how dark retreat catalyzes creativity, accelerates healing, and leads to rapid psycho-spiritual transformation. Dark medicine shares much with plant medicine, acting as a form of natural psychedelic. You become the medicine. Learn how to find rest and energy in darkness, what to do when you’re in there, and how to integrate your experiences. You will learn how dark retreat is a powerful preparation for creatively overcoming fear of death, and one of the best methods for addressing the meta-crises facing our planet today.
What You'll Learn:

How to create a safe and effective dark practice at home.
How to work with “gray retreat,” the in-between of light and dark.
The physical, psychological, and spiritual benefits of dark retreat.
The clearlight science underway to substantiate the benefits.
How darkness is a duality-decimator, opening to clearlight.
The relationship of dark retreat to darkness therapy.
Indications and contraindications for dark retreat.
All the tips and tricks for successful retreat.
Techniques for managing anxiety and fear in darkness.
Strategies for integrating your experiences into daily life.
How to manage the practical challenges of being in darkness.
How to identify and overcome resistance during your practice.
How to overthrow the tyranny of our sight-centric, dualistic ways.

This program offers specially prepared dark rooms where you can explore the depths of darkness with experienced guides. We also incorporate group practice with the Manta eye mask (recommended to purchase in advance), a simple tool that allows you to experience darkness in any setting. Embark on a journey of self-discovery and unlock the extraordinary potential waiting within you.

THIS PAGE IS FOR IN-PERSON ATTENDANCE REGISTRATION. TO REGISTER FOR ONLINE/VIRTUAL ATTENDANCE, PLEASE CLICK HERE

Schedule

Monday, June 30

3 - 7 pm Arrival & Check-in
6 - 7 pm Dinner
7:30 pm Welcome and Intro Class

Tuesday, July 1 - Saturday, July 5

7 - 8 am Optional Yoga
8 - 9 am Breakfast
9:15 am - 12:15 pm Morning Class
12:30 - 1:30 pm Lunch
1:30 - 4 pm Free Time for Spa, Hiking, R&R
4 - 6 pm Afternoon Class
6 - 7 pm Dinner
7:30 pm Evening Class

Sunday, July 6

7 - 11 am Check-out of Rooms
7 - 8 am Optional Yoga
8 - 9 am Breakfast
9:15 am - 12:15 pm Morning Class
12:30 - 1:30 pm Lunch & Departure

*Please note that the schedule is subject to change at any time.

Getting Here

Menla, 375 Panterkill Road PO Box 70 Phoenicia, NY 12464 United States

Accommodation

Deluxe King

Deluxe King Room with King Bed and Private Bathroom Free Phone and Hi-Speed Wifi Internet Access Available Air Conditioning This Space is not ADA compliant. Deluxe King Rooms are Available only in Kathmandu House * Please note that rates include meals and accommodations

Deluxe Queen

Deluxe Queen Room with Queen Bed and Private Bathroom Free Phone and Hi-Speed Wifi Internet Access Available Air Conditioning All Rooms in Lhasa are Handicap-Accessible, Including Four Rooms with Wheelchair Accessible Showers. Deluxe Queen Rooms are Available in Lhasa Inn and Kathmandu House * Please note that rates include meals and accommodations

Deluxe Double (Shared Room)

Deluxe Double Room with Two Full Size Beds and Private Bathroom Free Phone and Hi-Speed Wifi Internet Access Available Air Conditioning All Rooms in Lhasa are Handicap-Accessible, Including Four Rooms with Wheelchair Accessible Showers. Deluxe Double Rooms with Private Bathrooms are Located in the Lhasa Inn * Please note rates include meals and accommodations. This booking is for one bed in a double shared room: We May Assign You a Roommate if You Do Not Register with One.

Standard Double Full - Shared bath (Shared Room)

Deluxe Double Room with Two Full Beds and Shared Bathroom Free Phone and Hi-Speed Wifi Internet Access Available Air Conditioning This lodging type is not ADA Compliant. Please note that due to the stairs we recommend that guests with mobility issues book other accommodations. Deluxe Double Rooms with Shared Bathrooms are Located in Thimphu * Please note rates include meals and accommodations. This booking is for one bed in a double shared room: We May Assign You a Roommate if You Do Not Register with One.

Standard Double Twin - Shared bath (Shared Room)

Deluxe Double Room with Two Twin Beds and Shared Bathroom Free Phone and Hi-Speed Wifi Internet Access Available Air Conditioning This lodging type is not ADA Compliant. Please note that due to the stairs we recommend that guests with mobility issues book other accommodations. Deluxe Double Rooms with Shared Bathrooms are Located in Thimphu * Please note rates include meals and accommodations. This booking is for one bed in a double shared room: We May Assign You a Roommate if You Do Not Register with One.

Economy Premium Single - Shared Bath

Standard Premium Single Room with a Queen or Full Bed and Shared Bathroom Up to 10 guests share two large bathrooms. Each bathroom has two shower stalls and two toilets. A phone is not available but high-speed WiFi is available in the room Phone Access Available in Upper Level Of Conference Center. All calls are free of charge This Lodging Type is not ADA Compliant. * Please note rates include meals and accommodations.

Economy Single - Shared Bath

Standard Single Room with a Twin Bed and Shared Bathroom Bathroom is Shared with One to Six Other Guests on Your Floor. A phone is not available but high-speed WiFi is available in the room Phone Access Available in Nearby Conference Center and also Lhasa in Business Center. All calls are free of charge. This Lodging Type is not ADA Compliant. * Please note rates include meals and accommodations.

Economy Double - Shared Bath (Shared Room)

Standard Double with Twin Beds and Shared Bathroom The bathroom is Shared with other rooms on the same floor. High-speed Wi-Fi is available in the room. Phone Access Available in Nearby Conference Center and also Lhasa in Business Center. All calls are free of charge. This Lodging Type is not ADA Compliant. * Please note that rates include meals and accommodations * Please note: this is an open door policy room, meaning there are no keys to lock the door (we have lockers you can use at Lhasa if needed) * This booking is for one bed in a double shared room: We May Assign You Roommates if You Do Not Register with others

Economy Quad - Shared Bath (Shared Room)

Standard Quad Room with Quad Twin Beds and Shared Bathroom Accommodations Fee Includes All Meals. High speed Wi-Fi is available in the room. Phone Access Available in Nearby Conference Center and also Lhasa in Business Center. All calls are free of charge. This Lodging Type is not ADA Compliant. * Please note that rates include meals and accommodations * Please note: this is an open door policy room, meaning there are no keys to lock the door (we have lockers you can use at Lhasa if needed) * This booking is for one bed in a quad shared room: We May Assign You Roommates if You Do Not Register with others.

Camping

Camping Campers Have Access to Bathrooms with Showers in Lower Level of Conference Center. Menla Has Six Wooden Camping Platforms by the Pantherkill Stream (First Come First Serve). If All Platforms are Full or You Prefer Not to Use One, There is Also Camping Space in a Small Field by the Stream. Accommodations Fee Includes All Meals. Phone and High Speed Wi-Fi Available in Upstairs of the Conference Center and also Lhasa in Business Center. All calls are free of charge. This Lodging Type is not ADA Compliant. * Please note that rates include meals and accommodations

Commuter

Commuters Menla Encourages Members of the Community to Participate in Our Wonderful Programs! Includes Meals, Public Phone, Public Computer, and Wi-Fi Internet Available in Lhasa Inn. Accommodations Fee Includes All Meals.

Customer Reviews

4.50 out of 5.0 average rating

Anonymous • Oct 03, 2023

4.0

Verified

Weekend retreat stay

The property is on a beautiful, peaceful location.
Nature is all around and sometimes a little too close but you are literally surrounded by woods.

The food was really good and I liked the buffet style and fruit basket.

The gift shop although small had a nice selection of items and I purchased a few fun items.

Since the dining area was on the opposite side of the site from the convention center, a lot of students drove back and forth on the property. I chose the walking paths to get around.

Marie • Apr 18, 2022

5.0