The Journey Home
A 48 Hour Darkness Retreat
Limited small-group immersion • Spring 2026 • Forest Yurt
There’s a kind of clarity that doesn’t come from thinking.
It doesn’t come from effort, planning, optimizing, or figuring things out.
It comes from stillness - from removing the layers of noise, stimulation, and distraction the mind hides behind.
For 48 hours, you’ll step into complete darkness and silence inside a forest yurt.
No phones.
No light.
No external input.
Just you…
and what’s been quietly waiting underneath it all.
The Journey Home is an intimate, small-group darkness retreat designed to help you reset your nervous system, reconnect with your inner world, and return to life with clarity, presence, and depth.
Why Darkness?
Darkness has been used for thousands of years across spiritual traditions as a doorway into deep inner awareness.
When visual input disappears, the mind naturally begins to slow.
The nervous system shifts from doing to being.
Attention turns inward.
Perception becomes subtler.
Clarity arises - not through force, but through absence.
In darkness:
the thinking mind softens
intuition becomes louder
emotions surface and release
the body deeply rests and repairs
meditation deepens effortlessly
This isn’t about pushing or achieving a state.
It’s about removing everything that keeps you from yourself.
Who This Retreat Is For
This retreat is for you if:
life feels fast, full, or noisy
you’re successful on the outside but seeking depth on the inside
you’re spiritually curious, open-minded, and grounded
your curious about meditation (or meditate but feel called to go deeper)
you’re ready to pause, listen, and reset
you feel the pull to return to what really matters
You don’t need prior darkness retreat experience. You don’t need prior meditation experience.
You just need curiosity, emotional maturity, and a willingness to meet yourself.
What This Retreat Is (And Isn’t)
This is not a challenge.
It’s not a test of willpower.
It’s not about chasing peak experiences.
This is a gentle, held, intentional descent into stillness - supported by silence, breath, meditation, and a carefully designed container.
You’ll be blindfolded and in silence for most of the retreat.
You’ll be supported, guided, and held throughout.
You’ll move slowly.
You’ll rest deeply.
You’ll listen inwardly.
And you’ll emerge changed - often in subtle, profound ways.
What You’ll Experience over 48 Hours
While every journey is unique, participants often experience:
a deep sense of calm and nervous system reset
clarity around life direction and next steps
emotional release and integration
a quieter mind and deeper presence
renewed connection to intuition and inner guidance
a feeling of “coming home” to themselves
This is the kind of clarity that doesn’t fade when you return to daily life.
If you feel a quiet yes reading this, you’re invited to apply below.
Spots are limited to keep the container intimate and safe.
Who This Retreat Is Not For
For safety and integrity, this retreat is not suitable for those currently experiencing:
unmanaged anxiety or panic disorders
psychosis, bipolar disorder, or schizophrenia
recent trauma without therapeutic support
All participants complete an intake process to ensure this experience is safe, supportive, and aligned for everyone involved.
The Structure
Day 1 — Friday Evening - Arrival & Descent
Arrival & grounding
Silent dinner
Opening circle & orientation
Safety guidance and nervous system preparation
Darkness Blindfolds on • silence begins
Day 2 — Saturday - Immersion
Deep stillness, meditation and rest
Minimal guidance, maximum inward space
Simple, nourishing meals
Full-day darkness immersion
Day 3 — Sunday - Return & Integration
Deep stillness, meditation and rest
Minimal guidance, maximum inward space
Simple, nourishing meals
Integration circle & sharing
Closing and grounding
The Space
The retreat takes place in a secluded forest yurt, held by nature and silence.
Warm.
Earthy.
Simple.
Safe.
The yurt becomes a womb-like container - supporting deep rest, inward exploration, and reconnection.
Guidance and Holding
This retreat is guided by Robbie Paterson and an assistant guide. Robbie is a meditation teacher with almost a decade of experience in silence-based practices, breathwork, and consciousness exploration, including multiple personal darkness retreat immersions.
Robbie spent 3 months living in an ashram in Southern India where he was meditating for up to 13 hours a day for months on end. He is a down to earth, relatable and empathetic teacher and guide.
You’ll be held in a grounded, calm, and intentional field throughout the journey.
What’s Included
Live preparation video call
48-hour darkness immersion
Small group (6–10 participants max)
Meditation & breathwork guidance
Safe, structured container
Simple, nourishing meals
Integration circle
Ongoing support throughout the retreat
Integration post retreat video call
Investment
€450 Early Bird / Bring a friend
€550 Standard
Limited to 10 participants.
This is an application-based retreat to ensure alignment, safety, and depth.
Apply to Join The Journey Home
A Final Note
You don’t need to fix yourself.
You don’t need to become someone else.
You don’t need to add more.
Sometimes the deepest transformation comes from taking everything away.
The Journey Home is an invitation to remember who you are beneath the distractions of everyday life and our conditioning.
FAQ’s
What exactly is a darkness retreat?
A darkness retreat is a period of intentional withdrawal from visual stimulation and external input.
By removing light, screens, and noise, the nervous system naturally settles and attention turns inward.
For this retreat, darkness is created through blindfolds and a light-controlled space, combined with silence, meditation, and rest. This allows for deep stillness, clarity, and inner awareness to emerge naturally.
Is this safe?
Yes - when held intentionally and with the right screening, a short-term darkness retreat is safe and deeply restorative.
This retreat is carefully structured, guided, and limited in size to ensure safety and support.
All participants complete an intake process, and clear safety guidelines are provided before entering darkness.
This is not a long-term isolation retreat and is designed to be grounding, gentle, and supportive.
Will I be alone the entire time?
No.
This is a small-group retreat held in a shared space.
While you’ll be in silence and wearing a blindfold for most of the retreat, you’ll be sharing the container with a small group of others on the same journey, and the facilitator will be present and available throughout.
You are never left alone or unsupported.
What if I feel anxious or overwhelmed in the darkness?
Some initial discomfort is normal - especially as the mind adjusts to stillness and reduced stimulation.
You’ll be given tools before entering darkness to help regulate your nervous system, including grounding, breath, and orientation practices. The retreat is designed to be gentle, and support is available if anything feels too intense.
You are always free to remove your blindfold or ask for support if needed.
Do I need experience with meditation or silence?
No prior darkness retreat experience is required.
Some familiarity with meditation or self-reflection is helpful, but not mandatory.
What matters most is openness, emotional stability, and a willingness to be with yourself.
What will we do during the retreat?
The retreat emphasizes doing less, not more.
Time is spent in:
meditation
gentle breathwork
rest and sleep
quiet reflection
inward listening
There is no activities other than a short daily (guided) walk.
The structure is intentionally spacious to allow your inner process to unfold naturally.
What about food, water and the toilet?
Your blindfold will stay on all weekend.
Simple, nourishing meals will be provided, along with water and herbal teas.
Meals are light and supportive of digestion, helping the body settle and the mind remain clear.
Food is taken mindfully and quietly (with blindfold on).
You will be guided to the toilet safely (with blindfold on).
Can I leave early if I need to?
Yes.
You are never forced to stay if something doesn’t feel right for you.
That said, the container is designed to support you through initial discomfort, and most participants find that staying with the experience leads to deeper insight and ease.
If you do choose to leave early, support will be provided to help you transition safely.
What should I bring?
After acceptance, you’ll receive a full preparation guide, but in general you’ll bring:
comfortable, warm clothing
personal toiletries
any essential medications
a journal (optional, for post-retreat reflection)
Phones and devices will be turned off and stored away for the duration of the retreat.
Is this retreat suitable for everyone?
No - and that’s intentional.
This retreat is not suitable for those currently experiencing:
unmanaged anxiety or panic disorders
psychosis, bipolar disorder, or schizophrenia
recent trauma without professional support
An intake process helps ensure this experience is safe and supportive for everyone involved.
How many people will be attending?
The retreat is limited to 6–10 participants to keep the container intimate, safe, and deeply held.
Who is guiding the retreat?
The retreat is guided by Robbie, a meditation teacher with years of experience in silence-based practices, breathwork, and consciousness exploration, including multiple personal darkness retreat immersions.
His approach is grounded, calm, and supportive - focused on safety, depth, and integration.
What happens after the retreat?
The retreat includes a closing integration circle, and many participants continue to notice clarity, calm, and insight unfolding in the days and weeks afterward.
You’ll be encouraged to move slowly after the retreat and integrate the experience gently into daily life.
How do I apply?
Because of the nature of this work, this is an application-based retreat.
Click the “Apply” button on this page, complete the short intake form, and you’ll be contacted with next steps if it feels like a good fit.
What is the cancellation or refund policy?
Full details will be shared upon acceptance.
In general, due to the limited number of spots and the preparation involved, payments are non-refundable, but may be transferable in certain circumstances.