What happens when you remove light, distraction, stimulation, and narrative from modern life and leave only yourself?
In this episode of the StarrCast Podcast, we explore the growing movement of darkness retreats and why sensory deprivation is emerging as one of the most profound tools for mental clarity, resilience, and self awareness.
Joined by Ananda Jey (AJ) and Diederik van Middelkoop, we go inside the philosophy, science, and lived experience behind the Ultimate Darkness Retreat and what it reveals about stress, burnout, and the human mind in an always on world.
What You’ll Learn:
- Why darkness retreats are gaining traction as a substance free reset for stress, burnout, and mental overload
- How sensory deprivation impacts the nervous system, circadian rhythm, and emotional resilience
- What actually happens psychologically when the mind has nothing to distract it
- How safety, design, and preparation change the effectiveness of deep introspective experiences
- Why presence, clarity, and long term integration matter more than short term wellness fixes
Timestamps / Chapters:
00:00 – What is a darkness retreat and why are people seeking it now
05:42 – AJ’s personal journey from high performance to inner stillness
14:18 – What happens in the mind when all stimulation is removed
23:55 – Designing safety, comfort, and trust in total darkness
33:41 – The psychological and physiological effects of light deprivation
43:08 – Group preparation, integration, and why community matters
52:26 – Who darkness retreats are for and who they are not
59:10 – The future of darkness retreats and stress recovery worldwide
Guest Bios
Ananda Jey (AJ) is the founder of Sparrowland Capital and creator of the Ultimate Darkness Retreat. With a background spanning law, finance, and mental health ventures, AJ brings a systems level approach to modern spirituality and resilience.
Diederik van Middelkoop is a Business Development Advisor for Within and a former darkness retreat participant. His work focuses on scaling purpose driven wellness concepts that address stress, burnout, and mental overload in modern life.
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Other Links:
Learn more about Ultimate Darkness Retreat: https://theultimatedarknessretreat.com/
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