Stay Grounded with Raj Jana 102. Traver Boehm: 49 Days in Total Darkness Retreat: What Happens When You Sit Alone for 7 Weeks
Sep 11, 2025
Traver Boehm, founder of the UNcivilized men's movement and seasoned darkness retreat veteran, shares his gripping journey through 49 days of total darkness. He discusses the transformative power of isolation, revealing how it confronts emotional barriers and deep-seated trauma. Traver reflects on experiencing hallucinations, surrendering to grief, and learning vital self-intimacy practices. His insights encourage listeners to venture into discomfort for profound self-discovery, making his upcoming book, '28 Days in Darkness', a must-read.
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Darkness Strips Away Coping
- Darkness removes all practical coping tools and forces either self-regulation or surrender.
- Traver says prolonged pitch-black isolation is the medicine that lets him access soul-level information he can't reach elsewhere.
How He First Found Darkness
- Traver first heard about dark retreats from a man who had done dozens of days and recommended 49 days to understand death.
- He signed up for 28 days as part of a 'Year to Live' project without knowing the typical intro period is 3–5 days.
The Moment He Thought He Died
- On day 24–25 of his first sit Traver couldn't tell if he was alive or dead and touched the somatic feel of death.
- The experience humbled him by revealing life's irrelevancy and offered a sense of freedom from attachment.
