He Simulated Death for 7 Days in Total Darkness | Tantra & Soma Breath - Niraj Naik

In this episode, former pharmacist and Soma Breath founder Niraj Naik explores the relationship between Tantra, breathwork, altered states of consciousness, and the fear of death. He begins by describing Tantra as a broader system for working through the body to influence the mind, sharing formative experiences in Osho communities that challenged his ideas about attachment, intimacy, and love. The conversation then moves into a seven-day darkness retreat in India, where Niraj says he confronted a lifelong fear of darkness while experiencing lucid dreams, a life review, and what he interpreted as a profound psychological and spiritual rebirth. From there, he explains the Vedic concept of Soma and his view that breath practices can help cultivate altered states and a sense of inner wellbeing without relying on external substances. Niraj also discusses breath retention, intermittent hypoxia, oxygen and CO₂, chronic over-breathing, meditation, and the idea of using breath as a “remote control” for the mind. The episode closes with reflections on mortality, spirituality, relationships, daily practice, and conscious living.   Key Takeaways:   Tantra Extends Far Beyond Sexuality   Niraj describes Tantra as a practical system for using the body, relationships, breath, and daily practices to cultivate greater awareness and peace of mind. His early experiences in Osho communities became lessons in attachment, judgment, intimacy, and letting go.   Seven Days in Darkness Became a Confrontation With Fear During a seven-day darkness retreat in Delhi, Niraj describes severe physical discomfort, vivid dream states, a life review, and an intense confrontation with his childhood fear of darkness. He views the experience as a form of psychological and spiritual rebirth.   Soma as the Search for Bliss From Within   Drawing on his interpretation of Vedic traditions, Niraj presents Soma as both an ancient mystery and a metaphor for humanity’s search for bliss, longevity, and altered states. His central idea is that spiritual practices can cultivate some of these experiences internally rather than through external substances.   Breath as a Tool for Changing Mental State   A major theme of the conversation is Niraj’s belief that changing physiology can influence the mind. He discusses rhythmic breathing, breath retention, oxygen, CO₂, the Bohr effect, intermittent hypoxia, and his approach to using breathwork to explore different states of consciousness.   Spiritual Practice as Preparation for Death   The conversation repeatedly returns to mortality. Niraj connects darkness retreats, meditation, breath retention, ego dissolution, and spiritual practice with learning to become less afraid of death and less attached to the physical body.   Timestamps:   (01:20) What Tantra Really Means Beyond Sex and Intimacy (11:37) Synchronized Breathing, Connection and the Lesson of Attachment (15:09) Entering a Seven-Day Darkness Retreat in India (17:07) The First Days in Complete Darkness and Niraj’s Lucid Experience (22:00) Life Review, Fear of Darkness and a Sense of Rebirth (26:42) Free Will, Ethics and the Light and Dark Paths of Tantra (35:57) What Is Soma? The Ancient Search for Bliss and Immortality (48:17) Pranayama, Breath Retention and Altered States of Consciousness (01:05:12) Oxygen, CO₂ and Why Niraj Believes Many People Over-Breathe (01:19:29) The Morning Breath-Hold Test and Assessing Breathing Habits (01:26:40) “Microdosing Death” Through Meditation and Breath Retention (01:33:23) Why Niraj Calls the Breath a Remote Control for the Mind (01:40:28) Breath, Spirit and the Connection Between Life and Death (01:45:17) Niraj’s Morning Routine, Yoga, Exercise and Daily Practices