We often think of the darkness as an absence of light, but the darkness – as we discover through practice – has its own enlightening power. Darkness reveals the unknown and embodies depth, making space for new discoveries, insight, and transformation.

Deborah Eden Tull (author of Luminous Darkness) and Lama Willa Baker (author of The Wakeful Body) take a walk on the dark side, exploring the power of our shadow, our challenges, and our adversities to awaken us to new levels of insight and depth. Through practice and reflection, explore how to meet the unknown with presence, curiosity, and serenity, and how to move from fearing the darkness to embracing it.

We will engage with practices of meditation under the night sky, in the shadows (both literally and metaphorically), and in our meditation hall at Wonderwell.

The retreat culminates with a group celebration of the autumnal equinox, a portal to the season of change, as a tribute to the power of darkness to illumine and awaken.

The retreat includes meditation both indoors and outdoors, walking meditation, and mindful dance practice.