What if the most transformative place you could go isn’t a retreat center or a therapist’s office—but complete and total darkness?

This week, Tami Simon speaks with Andrew Holecek—interdisciplinary scholar, longtime practitioner of Tibetan Buddhism, and author of the new Sounds True book Total Eclipse of the Mind: Unleashing the Power of Darkness for Creativity, Healing, and Transformation—about the practice of dark retreat: full immersion in sealed, lightless environments used by yogis for centuries to accelerate inner transformation.

Holecek calls it the single most transformative practice of his fifty years of meditation, psychedelic exploration, and three-year Tibetan retreat—and in this interview, he explains why.

Join Tami and Andrew to explore:

• What actually happens to the mind in extended darkness—and the neurological science behind why it’s so transformative
• The descent of the mind through conscious, subconscious, and collective unconscious layers—and what waits at the bottom
• Dark retreat as a “sober psychedelic”: how the brain generates its own endogenous DMT in extended darkness
• The practice of enantiodromia—when extreme contraction suddenly flips into extraordinary openness
• How to work with panic, trauma, and unwanted experience using the “reverse meditation” principle: feel it, but don’t feed it
• Why appearances don’t matter in the dark—and why so many people emerge in tears, feeling safe and held for the first time
• The four-step process for integrating darkness into daily life, from sleep masks to dedicated dark rooms

This interview was recorded with both Tami and Andrew wearing blackout masks—making it one of the most immersive listening experiences in Insights at the Edge history.

Listen now and discover what’s been waiting in the dark. →

This conversation offers genuine transmission—not just concepts about awakening, but the palpable presence of realized teachers exploring the growing edge of spiritual understanding together. Originally aired on Sounds True One.

This episode is sponsored by Omega Institute, a global gathering hub for lifelong learning and spiritual exploration. Located in upstate New York’s beautiful Hudson Valley, Omega offers weekend workshops, special events, rest and rejuvenation retreats, professional trainings, online learning, and more. Discover what calls to you at eomega.org/true.

Join Tami Simon and Andrew Holecek for the second half of their exploration of reincarnation. Here, they delve deeper into Tibetan Buddhist perspectives on death, rebirth, and the power of “dark retreat” practice, revealing practical guidance for navigating everyday life.

What happens after we die? And what do habits have to do with the process? In this episode of Insights at the Edge, host Tami Simon welcomes Andrew Holecek, scholar, author, and teacher of Tibetan Buddhism and non-dual wisdom traditions. Together, they dive into the mysteries of reincarnation and the “gap between lives.” Drawing from Tibetan teachings on the bardos, dream yoga, and the art of dying, Andrew shares practical insights on how these ancient teachings are not just about what happens after death, but also about navigating the transitions and challenges we face here and now. 

Join them to explore: 

• How our beliefs about death deeply inform how we live
• The nature of awareness and the influence of habits
• How cultivating lucidity transforms both our dreams and our waking lives, and more

Note: These interviews originally aired on Sounds True One, where these special episodes of Insights at the Edge are available to watch live on video and with exclusive access to Q&As with our guests. Learn more at join.soundstrue.com.

What happens after we die? And what do habits have to do with the process?

In this episode of Insights at the Edge, host Tami Simon welcomes Andrew Holecek, scholar, author, and teacher of Tibetan Buddhism and non-dual wisdom traditions. Together, they dive into the mysteries of reincarnation and the “gap between lives.” Drawing from Tibetan teachings on the bardos, dream yoga, and the art of dying, Andrew shares practical insights on how these ancient teachings are not just about what happens after death, but also about navigating the transitions and challenges we face here and now. 

Join them to explore: 

• How our beliefs about death deeply inform how we live
• The nature of awareness and the influence of habits
• How cultivating lucidity transforms both our dreams and our waking lives

Whether you’re curious about what happens after we die or seeking wisdom to live more fully, this episode offers insights for inner explorers of all beliefs and backgrounds.

Note: This interview originally aired on Sounds True One, where these special episodes of Insights at the Edge are available to watch live on video and with exclusive access to Q&As with our guests. Learn more at join.soundstrue.com.