Dark Retreats: With Dr. Nida Chenagtsang and Prof. Robert A.F. Thurman

Can light deprivation lead us to the light? The Tibetan Buddhist esoteric practice of a dark retreat, in which experienced practitioners with guidance from a teacher remove all light stimuli for 49 days, has long been shrouded in secrecy. The practice is a simulation of the bardo, the transitional consciousness state at the time of dying. Esteemed Tibetan medical practitioner and teacher Dr. Nida Chenagtsang has become an advocate for selectively bringing this practice to the fore as part of his healing practice. In this exploratory conversation, he guides Prof. Robert A.F. Thurman and the audience through the process of inner exploration. ABOUT THE RUBIN MUSEUM OF ART The Rubin Museum of Art in Chelsea, New York City, explores and celebrates Himalayan art, cultures, and ideas across history and into the present. With its globally renowned collection, centered largely around art from the Tibetan Plateau, the Rubin fosters understanding and appreciation of Himalayan art by interpreting and rel