Scott Berman on darkness as healer, shedding masks, and the anatomy of a dark retreat

Terrain Theory

Terrain Theory
Scott Berman on darkness as healer, shedding masks, and the anatomy of a dark retreat
Oct 10, 2025 Season 4 Episode 182
Ben

Can the darkness heal you? Are you willing to find out?

Scott Berman is the founder of Sky Cave Retreats, a dark retreat sanctuary in Southern Oregon that puts guests in complete and total darkness for a set period of time. In this safe space, with somatic support and all needs met, a guest may relax into the rhythms of the dark, soften, and simply exist.

In this conversation with Scott we discuss:

  • How his early experiences with wilderness solitude primed him for dark retreats
  • His first dark retreat – mistakes & learnings
  • How Sky Cave Retreat came to be
  • Why each dark retreat is unique
  • The critical ways they have evolved the dark retreat experience
  • Who can – and should – do a dark retreat
  • What one can expect in a dark retreat

...and more!

Learn more about Scott and his work at https://www.skycaveretreats.com/ and at https://www.instagram.com/skycaveretreats/

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Terrain Theory episodes are not to be taken as medical advice. You are your own primary healthcare provider.

If you have a Terrain Transformation story you would like to share, email us at ben@terraintheory.net.

Learn more at www.terraintheory.net

Music by
Chris Merenda

Help support Ryan and Briana's road to recovery by donating to our GoFundMe set up in their name. Every penny will go to cover the costs of associated with healing their terrain using alternative, terrain-friendly methods. Donate here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-ryan-briana-heal-from-pfas-exposure