Healing through Darkness Therapy: Scott Berman – Into Healing S2, Ep.8

Into Healing with Mira Kaddoura

Scott Berman is the founder of Sky Cave Retreats—the first darkness retreat center in the United States. Over the past four years, Scott has guided hundreds of individuals through their own darkness retreats and has been at the forefront of the darkness retreat and therapy movement from his center in Southern Oregon. In this episode, he reveals how darkness strips away the outside world, enabling us to confront our rawest truths. From his years spent in solitude in the mountains to leading self-guided retreats in remote wilderness, Scott explores the profound transformation that comes from immersion in total darkness. He dives into the cultural origins of darkness retreats, the distinctions between solitude and darkness, and the ways this practice brings us face-to-face with our deepest fears and vulnerabilities. Scott also highlights the unique benefits it offers different individuals, the importance of somatic support, and the profound impact it has on one’s spiritual journey.
⭐️ In this episode, you’ll learn ⭐️
00:00 Introduction to Darkness Therapy
00:19 Meet Scott Berman: Founder of Sky Cave Retreats
01:15 Scott's Journey into Darkness Therapy
02:53 Exploring the Origins of Darkness Therapy
05:25 The Experience of a Darkness Retreat
08:10 Understanding Trauma Responses in Darkness
12:55 Personal Reflections on Safety and Fear
28:49 The Role of Intuition in Darkness
29:11 Intuition in the Dark
32:14 Honesty and Societal Expectations
33:09 Negative Self-Importance
33:55 Empowerment Through Darkness
36:59 The Power of Stillness
41:07 Gender Differences in Darkness Therapy
44:10 Spirituality and Masculine Energy
49:02 Healing and Somatic Experiences
55:46 Parenting and Fear
58:48 Practical Tips for Embodiment
01:00:35 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
👉 Follow Scott:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skycaveretreats/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scottfreeiam/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DarkRoomRetreats/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@skycaveretreats
Website: https://www.skycaveretreats.com/
📚 Episode References:
The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk https://rb.gy/xvuace
When the Body Says No By Gabor Maté https://rb.gy/j8ul6e
✏️ Download Transcript (generated by an AI service):
https://www.intohealing.com/s/Into-Healing-Scott-Berman-Transcript.docx

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Disclaimers
• As a reminder, Into Healing is for informational and entertainment purposes only, and does not constitute medical or psychological advice.
• Into Healing recognizes that for people suffering under traumatic forces beyond their control, beginning a healing journey is often not possible. For these neighbors, both near and far, let us make a better world where all who wish to heal have the time, space, and resources they need.