Total Eclipse of the Mind

A groundbreaking guide from trusted teacher Andrew Holecek on dark retreat—the Buddhist meditative practice of being in complete darkness.

We need darkness as much as we need light. Yet we live in a distracted age that privileges light and marginalizes darkness. Beloved author Andrew Holecek shows that light doesn’t always reveal—it often conceals. With this groundbreaking book, he introduces readers to the ancient practice of dark retreats, a previously secret practice that invites spiritual seekers to remain in complete darkness without any external distractions. Dark retreats invite profound self-reflection—dropping practitioners into deeper understanding of themselves, uncovering new levels of mindfulness and meditation, and illuminating new dimensions of being.

“Darkness is a truthteller,” writes Holecek. “Darkness is exacting. The question to reflect upon is how willing are you to be exposed?” In this book, Holecek invites readers to reconnect with darkness and rediscover its many benefits. He introduces readers to the ancient wisdom of dark immersion, providing step-by-step guidance to help them determine if this practice is right for them, how to practice it safely, what kinds of challenges arise from the practice, and how to integrate its insights.

Full of wisdom teachings, easy home practice, checklists, and his own stories of over thirty years of dark retreat practice, Holecek makes this ancient practice accessible for our modern age, reintegrating darkness into our light-polluted lives.