Testimonials Of Darkness Retreat

I had an incredible experience, and am looking forward to returning for longer next time!

The retreat space is wonderful, with every detail having been tended to by Jaijai with so much thoughtfulness and loving care. The meals were delicious, and also prepared with so much love!

My main intention going into the retreat was for deep rest, and I received everything that I was hoping for and more. I felt safe and held throughout, and fell in love with the darkness. The experience was profound, fascinating, insightful, deeply nourishing and transformative – it’s the kind of experience that inevitably leaves one forever changed in some way.

If you feel drawn, I highly recommend Darkness Retreat Africa.

Robyn
July 2023

Wow! What a fascinating experience that was. Even a relatively short dark retreat of three nights/two-and-a-half days … or should that be three nights/two-and-a-half nights … served up interesting effects such as time distortion, deep relaxation, and the sort of intense self-reflection that arises when one is left alone with one’s thoughts.

Jai Jai is a warm and kind host, and brings just the right skills to the powerful practice that is darkness therapy. Her place is perfectly located in a leafy and peaceful part of the city. Also I can confirm that the room is a true darkroom. Though the mind plays tricks on you when you’ve been in the dark awhile, with mini hallucinations, there was definitely no actual light present in the room during my stay. It is very well constructed and fit for purpose. It’s also thoughtfully laid out and I had no problems moving around safely during my time there.

As for the experience: Unlike anything else I’d ever experienced. It’s quite something sitting in true complete darkness, bereft of any sort of external distraction. Other than anything else, it was extremely relaxing and rejuvenating. Considering how inundated we all are with external stimuli demanding our attention nowadays, from emails and WhatsApps to social and other media, the intentional sensory deprivation that is darkness therapy really is the ultimate practice for our times. I can’t wait to return for a longer retreat when circumstances allow.

Lance
September 2023

She is powerful. But until I immersed in a solo, unsupported 42 hour continuous experience in the deepest dark, Yin of existence, I never understood what was the “Dark Mother.”

In time, I came to feel deeply held by Her as though in an infinite womb while I went on an unexpected rollercoaster. For this reason, and for the ability to completely let go into the experience, I highly recommend doing a supported journey to both prepare you, and after-care you.

After chatting with Jaijai I am now aware of several naive mistakes I could avoided. Mistakes aside, the Dark Retreat was a step into a world I have not so consciously experienced.

I highly recommend it. Even if  the Yin of night,  balances the day, I’m not so keenly conscious of the dark in my slumber. The full experience was as big as any plant medicine I’ve had, and is still unfolding. I experienced unboundedness and some disorientation with that

My bathroom dark-space felt as infinitely big as my living room. I was continually drawn-in, and in, and in to this unbounded dark and purply unendingness.

Although I did not achieve “Nirvana,” nor was I able to sit in hours of stillness, or achieve spectacular insights, my body did much unwinding and spontaneous movement and groaning.

I knew this was all the layers of living that needed to shed. I didn’t fight it. Though not spectacular, I had many quiet, mini-creative insights, which in retrospect feels appropriately Yin and feminine.

I had moments of despair and some erotic impulses and many  moments of feeling “oh, how curious!”

What I knew was the delicious unshackling from my ever present and intrusive electronic devices with which I hope to find an augmented relationship.

What I knew, was my need to continually bow to all as is and remain open to that which I cannot know. What I knew, was moments of peace even in the movement. What I knew was that in this moment of life, I am doing all I need to do.

Cheers to the experience of all of life

I wish you an opening journey into the Dark.

Jan Bull, January 2023 

The dark room was equipped with everything I could possibly need and your quite, unobtrusive presence brought real peace of mind. Appreciation for catering to my odd nutrition requirements as well.

I love that South Africa now has a dedicated retreat space where I can enter the dark to experience the many gifts it inevitably reveals! Looking forward to my next immersion, 14 days next time please.

I can recommend Darkness Retreat Africa to anyone seeking time and space to deepen into their own soul and essence.

Lorienne
September 2023

I had an incredible experience, and am looking forward to returning for longer next time!

The retreat space is wonderful, with every detail having been tended to by Jaijai with so much thoughtfulness and loving care. The meals were delicious, and also prepared with so much love!

My main intention going into the retreat was for deep rest, and I received everything that I was hoping for and more. I felt safe and held throughout, and fell in love with the darkness. The experience was profound, fascinating, insightful, deeply nourishing and transformative – it’s the kind of experience that inevitably leaves one forever changed in some way.

If you feel drawn, I highly recommend Darkness Retreat Africa.

Robyn
July 2023