Journal entry, February 19th, 2018:
So the specific type of meditation retreat that I will be undergoing is known as a darkroom retreat. It basically consists of being in solitude and complete darkness for 40 days.
In Tibetan Buddhism it is called the Bardo retreat. In Ayurvedic medicine it is called Kaya Kalpa (meaning "immortal body"). Many other cultural traditions throughout the world have similiar practices, from the Kogi Mamas of Columbia, to the Kivas of the Pueblo peoples, the caves of Taoist practitioners and Hindu Yogis and many others.
It is an ancient practice of silencing the mind and accessing very deep levels of meditation, lucid dream states, astral projection, and other miraculous phenomena.
According to the research of Mantak Chia, linked below, prolonged periods of darkness trigger the pineal gland to release large amounts of endogenous DMT, as well as Melatonin, 5 MeO-DMT and Pinoline. Pinoline is structurally identical to harmaline, which is the active MAO-I in Ayahuasca. That is why some have dubbed the dark retreat practice as 'endo-huasca', because of its ability to trigger the release of endogenous Ayahuasca like compounds in the body.
While in the dark my diet will consist of fresh fruit, fresh greens, superfoods and super vitamin and mineral supplements, etc.
The darkroom is self-contained with a heated shower, toilet, oil-heater, and ventilation system. So its fairly luxurious. Plenty of open space for exercise and yoga.
Im scheduled to go in in the next couple days. Been preparing myself mentally, spiritually and physically for this very profound journey. I feel very blessed to have been guided here for this purpose.
For more information regarding the science of the practice:
https://www.universal-tao.com/dark_room/enlightenment.html