Even as you drift to sleep, pinpoint LED lights blink a silent reminder that something around you is computing, consuming, or waiting. When wake, you'll be enveloped by information — from texts, calls, notifications, work, zoom, meetings, news, family.
What if there were nothing? No people, no devices, not even light?
That's the idea behind dark retreats, where seekers shut themselves into blackness for days with no devices, no sound, no sight. Around the world, the ancient tradition of hermits is becoming popular. Even quarterback Aaron Rogers announced he is going on a dark retreat.
What's the first thing you think about being in that position? That is actually a question that retreat masters ask and the answer is probably obvious: boredom.
Interesting thing about boredom: It often sparks creativity and focus. Children with electronic devices or television start extensive building projects. People trapped for weeks in snowstorms have become obsessed with chess. Writers get out of their blocks by simply having nothing to do, according to BBC Culture.
But in total darkness, other things happen. Time passes super slowly. You sleep a lot. With no hint of time, people can sleep for 20 hours, especially at first, and they sleep without knowing if it is day or night, according to Eduard Shlepetskyy, CEO of Ective.eu, who took such a retreat.
You might see things in the dark. One artist said she saw an elephant walking by. You may experience taste more acutely when your food is delivered. The artist said she didn't always taste, but she once reveled in the exquisite flavor of a green olive.
Writing in LinkedIn, Shlepetskyy said he discovered, "Almost any simple moment can be an amazing experience if I take time to realize and experience it enough."
