5.0
Verified
return to the heart
I had another wonderful weekend retreat with Irina Devi at Menla - one of my favorite retreat places !
Clearlight, Darkness, and Nonduality
Cameron's Staff Pick
Top Rated
Clearlight, Darkness, and Nonduality
4.8056 reviews
375 Panterkill Road PO Box 70 Phoenicia, NY 12464 United States
October 26 - November 1, 2026
About this Retreat
Your Guides
Andrew Holecek is an author, speaker, and humanitarian who offers seminars internationally on meditation, lucid dreaming, and the art of dying. He is the author of many books, including The Power and the Pain: Transforming Spiritual Hardship into Joy, and Preparing to Die: Practical Advice and Spiritual Wisdom from the Tibetan Buddhist Tradition. Dr. Holecek is a member of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, and the coauthor of scientific papers on lucid dreaming. His work has appeared in Psychology Today, Parabola, Lion’s Roar, Tricycle, Utne Reader, Buddhadharma Magazine, Light of Consciousness, and many other periodicals. He also hosts the popular Edge of Mind podcast, conversations with leading-edge thinkers in the fields of science, philosophy, spirituality, psychology, integral studies, and the arts. Andrew is the founder of the international Night Club community, a support platform for the nocturnal meditations, and the co-founder of Global Dental Relief, which provides free oral health care to children in developing countries. He holds degrees in classical music, biology, and a doctorate in dental surgery. Learn more at andrewholecek.com.
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.
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
Verified
5.0
Verified
Impeccable kitchen...beautiful surroundings
The lovely girl who cleaned my room, Amy, literally MADE my entire trip. She was so kind.
The scenery is magnificent, the landscape supreme, the food was AMAZING, cleanliness was top notch.
Everybody at Menla was extremely helpful and nice, with the exception of one person who shall remain nameless.
The scenery is magnificent, the landscape supreme, the food was AMAZING, cleanliness was top notch.
Everybody at Menla was extremely helpful and nice, with the exception of one person who shall remain nameless.
4.0
Verified
This is a special place
I attended Menla for a Therapist Ketamine retreat. There were approximately 35 attendees and 8-10 faculty. The buildings and the grounds are stunning and do what they set out to do..... force you to relax! The conference center offered so much space and ability for smaller groups to break out. I was fortunate enough to stay in a deluxe room which had stunning and peaceful decor and a very comfortable bed.
The Menla staff was welcoming and helpful.
I was disappointed with the meals. I live in the SF Bay area and am fortunate to have access to very high quality and thoughtful vegetarian food. I found the meals to be Okay but not delicious. I should mention that our group didn't have breakfast. I did appreciate the creative beverage offerings and constant access to fresh fruit - the apples were yummy!
The Menla staff was welcoming and helpful.
I was disappointed with the meals. I live in the SF Bay area and am fortunate to have access to very high quality and thoughtful vegetarian food. I found the meals to be Okay but not delicious. I should mention that our group didn't have breakfast. I did appreciate the creative beverage offerings and constant access to fresh fruit - the apples were yummy!
3.0
Verified
Nice place, kind staff, pricey, food was not good, not enough
The cabin was comfortable, and the shared areas were nice. The food, however, was extremely limited—mostly beans and vegetables, essentially a $2 meal with no meat or chicken. After one hour of being served, most of the food was gone and not replenished, so arriving around 1 p.m. meant finding almost nothing left. Beans can also trigger gas and discomfort, and the Indian dishes were too spicy, causing bloating. For the price of the stay, the meals felt inadequate.
Staff should wait until meetings are finished before moving items or making accommodations. The trail signs were also confusing and unclear; improving them would make a big difference.
Staff should wait until meetings are finished before moving items or making accommodations. The trail signs were also confusing and unclear; improving them would make a big difference.
5.0
Verified
Breathing in the Heart of Nature
I've visited the center twice, in June 2025 and June 2026, and both times I found it restful, peaceful, and a place to feel at one with nature, with many opportunities to swim, walk, and hike without leaving the center. It's a great place for meditation, reflection, care, and nourishing food. I had a spa session with Nitty, a Reiki practitioner with over 30 years of experience, and it was better than expected. While there, I saw many animals and birds, and a woman using the Cornell University bird app was able to identify 37 species in one sitting on the patio of the main building. The staff is very friendly, and the spa center with a swimming pool is the most luxuriously built of all the buildings. The biggest luxury I've found in Menla is silence.
