What comes to light in the dark? What becomes clear when you strip away all visual stimuli for a sustained amount of time? The advanced Vajrayana practice of dark meditation practiced in the Nyingma school’s Dzogchen (Great Perfection) tradition aims to answer these questions and accelerate practitioners’ path to awakening. With new retreat centers opening and high-profile athletes and actors taking part, this once-secretive practice is gaining popularity. But dark meditation, also known as yangti yoga, is meant for experienced students under qualified teachers.

On Wednesday, June 17, join American Buddhist teacher Justin von Bujdoss, who is also the spiritual director of the Yangti Yoga Retreat Center, to learn more about the purpose of this advanced practice, how one prepares for it, and the transformative potential of the dark.