Summer Core Dzogchen Retreat (Hybrid)

The Summer Core Dzogchen Retreat is a ten-day Tibetan Buddhist meditation retreat devoted to the teachings and practices of Dzogchen, with an emphasis on cultivating loving awareness through practice in the natural world. It is open to everyone and is held in person at Wonderwell in Springfield, New Hampshire, and online, so students can take part from wherever they live.

The retreat is co-taught by Lama Willa Blythe Baker and Lama Liz Monson of Natural Dharma Fellowship. It brings together the fellowship's annual Summer Core and Dzogchen retreats, and it is the only retreat in 2027 taught jointly by both lamas.

What to Expect

Over ten days, the teaching centers on Dzogchen, a contemplative stream within Tibetan Buddhism, and on practice that draws on the natural world as a support for awareness. The guiding thread is loving awareness: learning to rest in open presence while staying warm and connected to what is around you.

The hybrid format means the retreat is shared between people gathered at Wonderwell and people joining online. Registration opens first to students enrolled in the Natural Freedom Dzogchen program, and then to the general public. Daily session times and the full schedule have not yet been released.

About Lama Willa Blythe Baker

Lama Willa Blythe Baker is a founding teacher and spiritual co-director of Natural Dharma Fellowship, a community in Springfield, New Hampshire, whose retreat center is Wonderwell Mountain Refuge. The fellowship describes its approach as natural meditation, inspired by the natural world. She originally crafted the teachings of the fellowship's Margha Program, a two-year path that alternates between Natural Meditation and Bodhicitta and draws on meditations adapted from traditional Himalayan Buddhist training. She also teaches in the Natural Freedom Dzogchen Program, also called the Natural Freedom Sangha.

About Lama Liz Monson

Lama Liz Monson is a lama, managing teacher and spiritual co-director of Natural Dharma Fellowship. She transmits the Margha Program teachings at its retreats, alongside visiting lamas, and she co-teaches this summer retreat with Lama Willa.

The Setting

Wonderwell is the retreat setting of Natural Dharma Fellowship in Springfield, New Hampshire. Because the retreat leans on practice in the natural world, the surroundings are part of the teaching rather than a backdrop. Those attending online practice from their own homes and surroundings.

Before You Go

The retreat is open to all levels, and no prior experience requirement is given. Teaching is in English. Students enrolled in the Natural Freedom Dzogchen program have the first opportunity to register, with general registration following. Questions about registration can go to the fellowship's registration office.