Test Online Program

Discover the hidden territories of sleep, dreams, and the space between waking and sleeping—guided by one of the West's foremost scholars of Tibetan Buddhist dream practices. This meditation retreat with Andrew Holecek offers a rare convergence of rigorous academic study and direct contemplative training, bringing you into contact with ancient wisdom practices that modern science is only beginning to understand. Whether you're seeking deeper rest, access to lucid dreaming, or a profound exploration of consciousness itself, this program opens pathways that few Western practitioners have the opportunity to explore.

Andrew Holecek is an Interdisciplinary Scholar-Practitioner in Tibetan Buddhism and Resident Contemplative Scholar at the Institute for Advanced Consciousness Studies. His unique background—combining clinical expertise in sleep medicine with decades of contemplative training—means you're not simply learning philosophy or theory. You're receiving transmission from someone who has integrated ancient practice with modern knowledge, making these teachings tangible and applicable to your own life.

This retreat is designed for meditators at all levels who sense there is more to explore in the depths of sleep and the dream state. You'll leave with practical tools, a clearer understanding of your own consciousness, and an introduction to practices that can transform your nights into opportunities for insight and healing.

What to Expect

Over the course of this program, you'll receive teachings on dream yoga and dark retreat practices as understood within the Tibetan Buddhist tradition. Holecek will guide you through the philosophical foundations, the neuroscience of sleep and dreams, and the actual contemplative techniques used to work with these states. Expect a balance of lecture, guided practice, and Q&A—an environment where rigorous inquiry meets lived experience.

Participants report leaving with:
- A deeper understanding of their own sleep and dream patterns
- Practical techniques for increasing lucidity and presence in dreams
- A framework for understanding consciousness that bridges Eastern and Western knowledge
- Direct experience with meditation practices that prepare the mind for deeper inner work

The atmosphere is contemplative yet accessible, scholarly yet warm. Holecek teaches with clarity and humor, making complex ideas grounded and real.

Venue & Logistics

This program takes place at Drala Mountain Center in Red Feather Lakes, Colorado—a serene retreat setting in the Rocky Mountains designed specifically for contemplative work. The event is scheduled for Tuesday, February 1, 2028. Please wear comfortable clothing suitable for sitting meditation, and bring any personal items that support your practice (cushion, journal, etc.). The Center provides a peaceful environment with access to both indoor practice spaces and nature. Contact the venue directly for accessibility information and specific timing details.