Supplementary Material - The Bardos in Everyday Life
Welcome to the Bardos in Everyday Life: Covid 19 Version support page. On this page, in sequential order (starting at the top with the most recent class) for each of the ten classes, you will find all the quotes, links to articles, references to books, additional material and anything else to assist you in this journey.
Pure Land Buddhism
In a conversation with the Venerable Thrangu Rinpoche, I had the opportunity to discuss death and dying. In the Tibetan tradition, the teachings on this topic are vast, so I asked Rinpoche what should be emphasized in presenting this material to the West. His immediate response surprised me:...
Interview with Sharon Salzberg
Sharon Salzberg discusses where Real Change takes place, and how we can avoid spiritual bypassing. Join the esteemed teacher Sharon Salzberg in a pointed discussion about the place of meditation and spirituality in politics and world affairs. Coming right after the mob attack on the Capital, and...
Interview with Yusuf al-Hurr
Yusuf al-Hurr transitions from the esoteric to the exoteric, and poignantly discusses the human side of this tradition as well as his own personal practice. Join the scholar-practitioner Yusuf al-Hurr for a discussion about the foundations of Islamic mysticism, and the role of Sufism in Islam....
What is a “dark retreat” and how did it become 2026’s most radical wellness trend?
From Conde Nast Traveller - cntraveller.com "After four days and nights in total darkness to seek deep rest, our writer explains why you might want to try it too" In this article Andrew is featured as "today's most well-known teacher of modern dark retreat" and serves as the article's primary...
Total Eclipse of the Mind: Unleashing the Power of Darkness for Creativity, Healing, and Transformation
You feel it, don't you? The blue-light fatigue. The shallow skimming across the surface of life. We have become a "wake-centric" civilization, addicted to the world of doing, striving, and performing. But what if the cure for your exhaustion—and the key to your deepest creativity—wasn't found in...
Benefits of Dark Retreat
Benefits of Dark Retreat: Sleep Most people don’t go into dark retreat to catch up on sleep, but relieving sleep deficits is a healthy byproduct of spending time in darkness. I always spend the first few days catching up on lost sleep and allowing myself to luxuriate in bed for the duration of the...
Why Do a Dark Retreat?
Why do a dark retreat? At first glance, dark retreat may seem to be an esoteric practice, beyond the reach of the common person. My charter is to make it accessible, to demystify dark practice, and to reveal its extraordinarily potential for growth. Starting with easy home practice, I will guide...
Thoughts on Dark Retreat
Dark retreat is rapidly emerging onto the self-improvement and spiritual scene. NBA icons Dwight Howard and Rudy Gobert, along with a host of other elite athletes, are posting social media clips about their experiences in dark retreat, and inspiring a rush to see what the fuss is about. Movie...
Dark Retreat: The Key Factors for Success
Dark retreats, often lasting three days like those offered at Sky Cave in Oregon, have become increasingly popular for personal exploration and inner transformation. However, the experience can be surprisingly nuanced. Success hinges on more than simply making it through the entire time in the...
A Wake Up Call (featured in Lion’s Roar)
Full article is published in Lion's Roar. Andrew Holecek on bardo, one of the Six Dharmas of Naropa’s two practices for helping us find our way, when the time comes, through the death experience. It can help us in life, too. Of the six Dharmas of Naropa, two are for the daytime (tummo/chandali and...
I’m Mindful, Now What?
This guide takes you beyond mindfulness! Mindfulness is everywhere these days, but what if you're ready to explore deeper? I'm Mindful, Now What? is your roadmap to a richer meditation practice. Here's why you'll love this book: Goes beyond the basics: Mindfulness is just the beginning! This book...
Is Death Just a Dream? Exploring the Mystery with Bardo Yoga
“Bardo” is finding its way into the modern world, from the experimental novel Lincoln in the Bardos, to the movie Bardo, to the best-selling book, In Love With the World: A Monk’s Journey Through the Bardos of Living and Dying. But what exactly is a bardo, and what is bardo yoga? “Bardo” is a...