I can't say it any better than Zen and Twink have. Going dark gives you time to heal. Having contact with my H has always been a source of anxiety and pain and bitterness that poured out of me and made me crazy. It was too much, too soon. You have no objectivity when your heart is broken.
It accomplishes two things. One, to give your H time to bake, so to speak, which you CANNOT help him with, and two, gives you some peace in your life.
For me, Dark was always better. Still is.
ME: 54 Him: 51 M: 20 years T: 21 years OW/New wife: 36 Sons & Daughters: 7 (ages 24-36) Bomb: March 4, 2010 He Filed: April 28, 2010 I Contested: May 1, 2010 Standing Down: 11/24/10 Divorced : 05/04/2011