All spiritual traditions have used darkness techniques in the pursuit of various states. In the Taoist tradition, caves have been used for centuries for higher level practices.
In todayâs world, there are true practices of the Great Tradition that explore Darkness and its astounding effect on the entire human condition (from neuro-biochemical processes and the energy system, to discovering access to the powers that few people on Earth possess). The Pyramid at Tao Gardens, in northern Thailand, served as the site for the first experiments in dark retreats. After much analysis of other countriesâ dark retreat methodologies and schemes, and gaining an understanding of the best structures and configurations for practice and comfort, the Universal Tao of Darkness was constructed based on all of this information and the latest technology.
This room is the ideal chamber of The Great Inner Alchemy. A large central meeting room is surrounded by two tiers of living quarters. The light and soundproof outer shell is constructed of bricks made from the red earth of Thailand (the base was mined and hydraulically pressed into bricks, allowing the constituent elements and minerals of the original material to remain intact. The energetic Power of Mother Earth is preserved in the original structure).
The facility consists of a large central hall for meditation, practice and dining. Two tiers of bedrooms surround the central area, each with a separate bathroom. The entire room is ventilated with fresh air intakes and air conditioning systems. Food is specially prepared to meet the special needs of the body, mind and spirit in achieving the goals of enlightening Darkness and its power. Fresh juices and soups are served for âbreakfast,â and light organic food in the afternoon. Participants are trained and prepared for life in the Dark.
The Universal Tao of Darkness is now the largest and most advanced center for practices in darkness in the world. In pursuit of the Tao, participants remain in complete and utter darkness for one, two or three weeksâan ideal laboratory for multifaceted Alchemy. The knowledge and techniques accumulated by Taoist masters over the centuries are fused and combined with the advances of 21st century science and technology.
Total darkness changes the sensory experience of the body/brain. Sounds begin to disappear as we lose contact with the outside world and turn our senses inward. Emotional states intensify. Sensory receptors (except olfactory receptors) "go to sleep. Although the adrenal hormones are at their lowest levels, the inner world remains undisturbed. The thalamus gradually shuts down. The pituitary gland, the main gland for bodily hormones, becomes distilled by the exchange of energy in the body/mind necessary for the new experienceâŚ
The hypothalamus is of particular importance to the âDarkâ because it influences circadian rhythms in the body. The suprachiasmatic nucleus of the hypothalamus is one of the bodyâs main biological clocks. Not only does it regulate the hormones associated with the day/night cycle, but it also controls the operation of many other internal clocks. It has been shown in experiments that when the SCN is not innervated, the human body clock works freely, it sets its own time.
(The suprachiasmatic nucleus regulates circadian rhythms and activates the pineal gland via sympathetic neurons coming from the brainstem).
In darkness, the hypothalamus is in perfect balance and calmly maintains and alternates between wakefulness and sleep. The pineal gland, which secretes melatonin to control subtle bodily rhythms, is sensitive to the vibrations of the earth and is no longer driven by instinctive urging from the power of the adrenal glands and the awake consciousness of the thalamic and reticular activating glands. In this state, wakefulness is the dream state, and sleep consciousness is the awakening consciousness and tremendous powers of the individual himself.
In darkness you can look into the past and the future, understand the true meaning of existence and comprehend the order of things. You return to the womb, the cocoon of our material structure and the primordial darkness of nature. We descend into the void, into the darkness of deep inner potential, revealing the middle Heart Dantian, and most importantly, we fully open the doors of the epiphysis and the Crystal Palace, the Supreme Dantian.
I sincerely thank @anon31653453 for initiating this idea, which completely derailed my plans to sequence other projects, and forced me to set aside one big but unfinished other project. Thanks bro - this was a project I couldnât pass up 
Thank you Captain 
