Cameron's Staff Pick

Top Rated

Clearlight, Darkness, and Nonduality

Name: Clearlight, Darkness, and Nonduality
Start: 2026-10-26
End: 2026-11-01
Location: Menla
Rating: 4.82

4.8261 reviews

375 Panterkill Road PO Box 70 Phoenicia, NY 12464 United States

October 26 - November 1, 2026

About this Retreat

Your Guides

Andrew

Details of this retreat

The path to the Clearlight—or prabhāsvarā in Sanskrit—points to the indescribable essence of ultimate freedom, a nondual reality only accessible through direct experience. Enlightened beings speak of this radiant transparency as the very nature of mind.

Join Andrew Holecek for a transformative retreat where the subtle teachings of yogas, tantras, and texts like the Book of Natural Liberation (also known as the Tibetan Book of the Dead) come alive. Paradoxically, the doorway to this luminous clarity often begins with an experience of darkness.

As interest in nonduality grows, so too does the resurgence of an ancient practice: dark retreat. This immersive exploration offers one of the most powerful ways to encounter the boundary between light, darkness, and the nondual.

In this retreat, you will:

Discover how dark retreat connects to the experience of nonduality.
Learn the foundational teachings on the clearlight of freedom.
Receive practical guidance for beginning dark practice at home and transitioning into formal retreat.
Explore how darkness opens the mind to deeper reality, accelerates healing, and sparks creativity.
Understand how dark retreat, like plant medicine, functions as a natural psychedelic—you become the medicine.
Gain tools for integrating your experiences and preparing for a fearless encounter with death.
Learn how this ancient practice can help us meet today’s planetary meta-crises with clarity and courage.

This retreat is a rare opportunity to engage with deep, esoteric teachings in an accessible and experiential way.

You can view a TEDx talk of Andrew talking about the power of dark retreat.
This program offers specially prepared dark rooms where you can explore the depths of darkness with experienced guides. We also incorporate group practice with the Manta eye mask (recommended to purchase in advance), a simple tool that allows you to experience darkness in any setting. Embark on a journey of self-discovery and unlock the extraordinary potential waiting within you.

THIS PAGE IS FOR IN-PERSON ATTENDANCE REGISTRATION. TO REGISTER FOR ONLINE/VIRTUAL ATTENDANCE, PLEASE CLICK HERE

Schedule:

Monday, October 26

3 - 7 pm Arrival & Check-in
6 - 7 pm Dinner
7:30 pm Welcome and Intro Class

Tuesday, October 27 - Saturday October 31

7 - 8 am Optional Yoga
8 - 9 am Breakfast
9:15 am - 12:15 pm Morning Class
12:30 - 1:30 pm Lunch
1:30 - 4 pm Free Time for Spa, Hiking, R&R
4 - 6 pm Afternoon Class
6 - 7 pm Dinner
7:30 pm Evening Class

Sunday, November 1

7 - 11 am Check-out of Rooms
7 - 8 am Optional Yoga
8 - 9 am Breakfast
9:15 am - 12:15 pm Morning Class
12:30 - 1:30 pm Lunch & Departure

*Please note that the schedule is subject to change at any time.

Getting Here

Menla, 375 Panterkill Road PO Box 70 Phoenicia, NY 12464 United States

Accommodation

Deluxe King

Deluxe King Room with King Bed and Private Bathroom Free Phone and Hi-Speed Wifi Internet Access Available Air Conditioning This Space is not ADA compliant. Deluxe King Rooms are Available only in Kathmandu House * Please note that rates include meals and accommodations

Deluxe Queen

Deluxe Queen Room with Queen Bed and Private Bathroom Free Phone and Hi-Speed Wifi Internet Access Available Air Conditioning All Rooms in Lhasa are Handicap-Accessible, Including Four Rooms with Wheelchair Accessible Showers. Deluxe Queen Rooms are Available in Lhasa Inn and Kathmandu House * Please note that rates include meals and accommodations

Deluxe Double (Shared Room)

Deluxe Double Room with Two Full Size Beds and Private Bathroom Free Phone and Hi-Speed Wifi Internet Access Available Air Conditioning All Rooms in Lhasa are Handicap-Accessible, Including Four Rooms with Wheelchair Accessible Showers. Deluxe Double Rooms with Private Bathrooms are Located in the Lhasa Inn * Please note rates include meals and accommodations. This booking is for one bed in a double shared room: We May Assign You a Roommate if You Do Not Register with One.

Standard Single - Shared Bath

Menla Private Queen Room with Queen Bed and Shared Bathroom Public Phone and Hi-Speed Wifi Internet Access Available This lodging type is not ADA Compliant Private Queen Rooms with Shared Bathroom are Available in Thimpu House, Panther Cottage and Potala House * Please note that rates include meals and accommodations

Standard Double Full - Shared bath (Shared Room)

Deluxe Double Room with Two Full Beds and Shared Bathroom Free Phone and Hi-Speed Wifi Internet Access Available Air Conditioning This lodging type is not ADA Compliant. Please note that due to the stairs we recommend that guests with mobility issues book other accommodations. Deluxe Double Rooms with Shared Bathrooms are Located in Thimphu * Please note rates include meals and accommodations. This booking is for one bed in a double shared room: We May Assign You a Roommate if You Do Not Register with One.

Economy Premium Single - Shared Bath

Standard Premium Single Room with a Queen or Full Bed and Shared Bathroom Up to 10 guests share two large bathrooms. Each bathroom has two shower stalls and two toilets. A phone is not available but high-speed WiFi is available in the room Phone Access Available in Upper Level Of Conference Center. All calls are free of charge This Lodging Type is not ADA Compliant. * Please note rates include meals and accommodations.

Economy Single - Shared Bath

Standard Single Room with a Twin Bed and Shared Bathroom Bathroom is Shared with One to Six Other Guests on Your Floor. A phone is not available but high-speed WiFi is available in the room Phone Access Available in Nearby Conference Center and also Lhasa in Business Center. All calls are free of charge. This Lodging Type is not ADA Compliant. * Please note rates include meals and accommodations.

Economy Double - Shared Bath (Shared Room)

Standard Double with Twin Beds and Shared Bathroom The bathroom is Shared with other rooms on the same floor. High-speed Wi-Fi is available in the room. Phone Access Available in Nearby Conference Center and also Lhasa in Business Center. All calls are free of charge. This Lodging Type is not ADA Compliant. * Please note that rates include meals and accommodations * Please note: this is an open door policy room, meaning there are no keys to lock the door (we have lockers you can use at Lhasa if needed) * This booking is for one bed in a double shared room: We May Assign You Roommates if You Do Not Register with others

Economy Quad - Shared Bath (Shared Room)

Standard Quad Room with Quad Twin Beds and Shared Bathroom Accommodations Fee Includes All Meals. High speed Wi-Fi is available in the room. Phone Access Available in Nearby Conference Center and also Lhasa in Business Center. All calls are free of charge. This Lodging Type is not ADA Compliant. * Please note that rates include meals and accommodations * Please note: this is an open door policy room, meaning there are no keys to lock the door (we have lockers you can use at Lhasa if needed) * This booking is for one bed in a quad shared room: We May Assign You Roommates if You Do Not Register with others.

Commuter

Commuters Menla Encourages Members of the Community to Participate in Our Wonderful Programs! Includes Meals, Public Phone, Public Computer, and Wi-Fi Internet Available in Lhasa Inn. Accommodations Fee Includes All Meals.

Customer Reviews

4.82 out of 5.0 average rating

Terri • Aug 05, 2026

5.0

Verified

Fantastic stay and retreat experience!

I was so impressed with the quality of my stay at Menla! The natural beauty that surrounds the campus is rejuvenating and peaceful! The food was exquisite and lovingly prepared! My room was beautiful and very clean. My retreat with Banafsheh was top-notch! Highly recommend Menla for your next retreat!

Dr. • Aug 03, 2026

5.0

Verified

This place, this space, this experience

I am a man of the ear,th my love for this amazing planet and our connection to her is without lines, borders, walls. I am so pleased to experience the beautiful space that is Menla. Equally as beautiful is the staff that serviced our work.

Anonymous • Jul 29, 2026

5.0

Verified

Amazing weekend in Catskills

Truly a magical and relaxing place. staff was very lovely, and food was very delicious and soulful. truly surpassed my expectations, and we came back very calm and relaxed.

Andrei • Jul 29, 2026

5.0

Verified

Amazing experience!

I had the opportunity to spend last weekend at Menla, and it was truly an incredible experience. From the moment I arrived, I felt welcomed and cared for. The staff and facilitators were kind, professional, and genuinely dedicated to creating a peaceful and supportive environment.

The location is absolutely beautiful, surrounded by nature, making it the perfect place to disconnect from everyday stress and reconnect with yourself. The accommodations were comfortable, the food was EXCELLENT , and every detail seemed thoughtfully planned.

Everyone I met,from the staff to the other guests,helped create a warm and uplifting atmosphere. I left feeling refreshed, inspired, and grateful for the experience.

I highly recommend Menla to anyone looking for a place to relax, reflect, heal, and reconnect. Thank you to everyone who made this weekend so memorable. I can’t wait to come back!

Anonymous • Jul 22, 2026

5.0

Verified

Living magic

The land, people and community, nature, food, dance, breath work, spa , and so much more! I can’t believe I get to be alive and experience magic and peace like this in these chaotic moments in the world.

Clearlight, Darkness, and Nonduality

About this Retreat

Your Guides

Andrew Holecek

Details of this retreat

Getting Here