Kumare is a documentary about a fellow from the East Coast that comes to Phoenix and pretends to be an Indian Guru. Once he has collected together a group of followers and indoctrinates them in his spiritual path, he does an unveiling where he reveals his true identity. Kumare’s message is that we all have the answers wtihin us and don’t need external teachers to tell us what to do.
In this interesting and complex film,
This morning I completed the last course in the behavioral health degree program I’ve been attending full time for the past year and a half. The Associates of Applied Science in Addictions and Substance Use Disorders will be my first degree in a “soft” science and I am curious to discover when, where and how I will be using my new knowledge.
While the information about the pharmacology of drugs was fascinating, for instance even one use of some drugs can “permanently” change nerve functioning in the brain, the program was first and foremost a preparation course for counselors. As such I learned a lot of therapeutic skills and tools for assisting people in their change process. Of course I also learned that, while there is evidence to suggest treatment programs and counseling work, there is no definitive scientific evidence of how they work. It makes me wonder, what people have made so significant about science. Is there a better use of the energy that is currently invested in creating, promoting and proving evidence-based practices?
Speaking about investment of energy, about half way through the degree I decided that I had gotten all I wanted from the program. I thought further energy investment wasn’t going to pay off. However, when I went to withdraw, I found I couldn’t let go. Part of me wanted to continue. Such it is with me. I was able to honor that part without judgement.
What grand adventure is next?
I first came upon the idea of doing a “dark retreat” when I started exploring a nighttime practice. The instructions, as I have talked about before, are quite simple. One simply visualizes a white “A” at one’s center and relaxes into it. The target is to stay aware of the “A” as one falls asleep. If you can do this you have the full presence of state of natural light. (Whatever that means.) This allows you to be aware as you sleep and to be able to easily recognize when you are dreaming. Hence, your dreams are lucid.
Now if you can do this, great! If not, Namkhai Norbu suggests a dark retreat may be useful in developing this level of contemplation. This recommendation spurred me to put “dark retreat” on my bucket list. I have not yet investigated what the retreat involves, but I know that is requires pitch darkness for at least twenty-four hours.
There is one room in my house that has no windows. That is a small bathroom. Perhaps that would suffice for twenty-four hours, but it doesn’t really have enough room to lay down in. Ideally, I would have access to that bathroom and the living room. And since there isn’t a door between the kitchen and the living room, I might as well throw in the kitchen.
Preparing for a dark retreat by creating foam inserts for the windows. These will be covered with opaque plastic or blackout fabric.
It has been interesting for me to think about what it would take to get my house completely dark. And beyond that, what activities would need to be given up to maintain darkness. For instance, while I could turn off the light in the fridge, cooking anything will always emit light. Or if I want to just adjust my thermostat the light will go on. And many of you know my attachment to my swamp cooler this time of year. I hate to give it up, but it requires the incoming air to be vented. An opening to the outside that doesn’t allow light in may be difficult to devise.
The first step will be devise a way to get the house dark. The second step will be to plan my lay out of things so that I can find what I need in the dark. No reading labels during the retreat! And with no clock to consult, how will I know when I am done retreating? I imagine I could figure out day from night by temperature changes. My walls get warm when the sun comes up.
What else will I need to do to prepare? What would it take for you to do a dark retreat at your place?