Silent retreats and cave retreats are nothing new and have been around for millenia, giving seekers an escape from the demands of daily life and a chance to simply let the mind be with itself.A modern twist on this is the use of Dark Room Retreats, a growing business model where the cave might be swapped for a cabin, and food and other needs are provided for you, leaving you alone to experience the potential bliss of sensory deprivation.In this episode, Thom shares his own experience with cave retreats, along with his perspective on dark room retreats. He also shares an alternative method for sensory deprivation. One that doesn’t require dark rooms or even silence but which still yields the bliss we might be looking for if we were to consider a dark retreat.Episode Highlights:[00:45] Awakening the Mind's Innermost Potential[02:41] Techniques of Sensory Deprivation[04:33] How do I Experience Pure Consciousness?[06:32] Deep Rest in Vedic Meditation[08:35] The Charm of Silence[12:02] The Reason the Mind Falls Mute[13:39] Modern Technology's Impact on the Search for Bliss[14:52] Limits of Sensory Deprivation in Achieving Bliss[16:52] Reduced Oxygen Consumption - The Measure of Deep Rest[18:20] Testing Bliss Levels[20:03] Extended Meditation in Solitude[21:37] Sensory Deprivation as a Test, Not a Shortcut to Bliss[23:42] Left With Your Own Joy[25:27] Passing the Bliss Exam[26:45] The Bliss of Being Beyond RelativityUseful Linksinfo@thomknoles.com https://thomknoles.com/https://www.instagram.com/thethomknoleshttps://www.facebook.com/thethomknoleshttps://www.youtube.com/c/thomknoleshttps://thomknoles.com/ask-thom-anything/