When I returned from my third visit to Mexico in less than one year, I was completely overwhelmed. It had been an amazing journey, and I found it almost impossible to just drop back into the regular routine of city life. The experience had been so magical and transforming, that I just wanted to be completely still for awhile to just absorb all that had taken place. I really thought this would give me the space I needed to focus on the booklet that I was to write, you know, the Olmec Celestial Travel Guide. Mama Nyame, from the Moon Womb Lodge in San Crsitobal (and also, wherever we conscious women are; you can see photos at the Moon Womb Lodge website....) had told me about the Dark Room before, so I figured this was the perfect opportunity. Usually one goes for 13 days, but I only had 7 to spare. This is a practice known well to the Dogon and many other Original Peoples. Here are fome photos of my set-up.

We used heavy duty aluminum foil to cover the windows. layers and layers, also cardboard. Yes, I took showers and bathed completely in the dark. It was AMAZING! Yes, I used my ipod with speakers. I covered up the little light indicators with lots of duct tape. I can't tell you how much duct tape I used, especially when it was like day 4 or 5 and the foil on the window needed a little patching. I ate mostly raw foods. I simply unscrewed the light bulb in the refridgerator. if I wanted cooked food, one of my helpers brought it to me. I turned off my cell phone. No, you can't go out at night. Not even star light entered your mother's womb during those 9 months.

In the medatation area, you see the pillows? They are on top of a pane of glass. This was placed in front of the Copper sheet. Heavy duty magnets were hung directly above. Just for fun, one day, I arranged additional magnets along the 4 sides of the pyramid. I definitely felt something going on there. I'd like to experiment more with this next time, when I go for 13 days and nights. I'd also like to try this with a witness, the magnetic pyramid that is.

I used heavy Black felt to completely seal in the front door. When someone came to visit, I would go into the other room until the door was shut.

On the 7th day, I didn't want it to end. This was truly one of the most amazing experiences I have ever had.

Here is a pdf offered by Brother Irasha. "Dark Room Enlightenment"

Here is the website: Universal Tao Enlightenment

Hey, maybe now I can check out the website! Yea, that's right. I haven't even read up on this. I just did it!

Some of the things I experienced were: seeing many different colors, forms and expressions of light and color, depending on my mood or purity of thought. Yes, Light. Black Light? No, many different shades of red, blue, turquoise, orange, silver, and yes, even total black light. Deeper love, understanding & trust in/of my self, my life, my path, my music. Reconnection with divine inner male. Less patience for bullshit and lies. Fear reduction. Heightened awareness. Mental Purification, even crap from the days of my youth. Greater Self-Confidence. Brought me Closer to the Ancestors. Closer to the Divine. Increased Faith, energy.

I thought I would come out with my book all ready to be written. Turns out, the book would come much later. The Ancestors had other things in mind for the Dark Room.

There may be a Dark Room being established here in Nor Cal. You know where you'll hear about it first.....
right here at tchiya.com!

Self-Love & Inner Light, Tchiya Amet El Maat