Arnold Wiegand marks ten years of darkness retreats in Taunus

Psychotherapist Arnold Wiegand is marking ten years of conducting darkness retreats in the Taunus region. These retreats involve participants retreating into completely darkened rooms for periods ranging from a few days to three weeks.

Over the past decade, approximately 300 stays have been conducted, with participants aged 22 to 75 hailing from Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. Wiegand notes that many attendees return multiple times, often seeking relief from persistent restlessness or a sense of lack of fulfillment despite professional success.

The practice is rooted in the non-dual philosophy of Advaita Vedanta. Rather than focusing on optimization or deficit correction, the approach encourages participants to perceive and accept internal patterns and mental narratives that are typically obscured by daily sensory stimuli and distractions.