Preparing for a couples dark retreat is not about complicated rules. It is more important to know why you want to come, what each of you expects and how you would like to spend several days together.
How to prepareThe best preparation is simple and shared.
A dark retreat for two begins before you arrive—not by creating a perfect plan, but by talking openly about what each of you expects.
One of you may want more silence while the other wants more communication. One may feel curious while the other feels cautious about the unknown. Both reactions are completely fine.
The point of preparation is not to decide in advance exactly how the retreat should unfold. It is simply to make sure that both of you understand what you are entering together.
What to clarify together.
Why are we going?
You do not need a grand goal. It is enough to know whether you want shared quiet, a new experience, rest, or simply a few days outside your normal rhythm.
How do we want to communicate?
Agree that you do not have to talk all the time. At the same time, there is no need to force silence if one of you needs to share something.
What if we experience it differently?
It is normal for two people to experience darkness differently. The important thing is not to compare your reactions and to respect each other’s pace.
What will we leave at home?
The less everyday scheduling and distraction you bring with you, the easier it may be to move into a different rhythm.
Five questions worth asking each other.
This does not need to become a major relationship discussion. A few minutes before you leave and a handful of simple questions may be enough.
What helps before arrival.
Do not rush your arrival
If possible, do not plan your journey so tightly that you arrive stressed and at the last minute. A calmer arrival makes the transition into the retreat easier.
Leave work mode behind
Ideally, finish important work before you travel and avoid bringing a mental list of tasks that still need to be “solved”.
Do not prescribe the outcome
Do not expect that something dramatic has to happen. The retreat may feel profound, ordinary, peaceful or changeable. Every experience is individual.
The sauna can help separate the journey from the retreat.
If you would like a slower start, you can use the sauna before the retreat by arrangement. TMA SEMILY has an indoor sauna area, a large cooling tub and space to relax afterwards.
It is not a compulsory part of the retreat, but for some couples it is a pleasant first step before entering the darkness.
More about the saunaReady to go together?
You can find detailed information about facilities, prices and couples retreat options on the main TMA SEMILY website.
Go to TMA SEMILYEverything important in one place
The topics are connected. Start with the basic overview and continue with whatever is most relevant to you.