Dark retreat

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Dark retreat is a setting for specific practices in Dzogchen. The practitioner stays for a time from 24 hours to seven weeks (the traditional length) in complete darkness while engaged in specific meditation practices which are not taught in public. This practice is considered a good preparation for obtaining liberation after death in the bardo or even to realise the rainbow body. The traditional dark retreat requires stability in the natural state and is only suitable for advanced practitioners.

Ancient Egyptians and Mayans practiced a form of the dark retreat as well, traditionally lasting 10 days. Holy men (shaman) would enter into the center of their respective pyramids, completely removed from light and sound, and have visions of the workings of the universe. Today, scientists have discovered that when the human body is deprived of visual stimulation, the brain produces a substance called DMT, a triptamine, which results in intense hallucinations.