2026 Natural Freedom Dzogchen Program

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Welcome and thank you for registering for the upcoming year of the Natural Freedom Dzogchen Program. Through structured study and reflection, guided practice, and relational dharma, together we will explore grounded and accessible ways to deepen in our practice of Dzogchen, the Great Wholeness. 

A central emphasis of this year’s program will be the role of devotion. In the Dzogchen tradition, devotion is understood as reciprocal and nondual. Rather than striving toward something outside ourselves, devotion can be a direct method to experience rigpa—our true nature, which is the ultimate guru. By softening the heart and cultivating love and reverence, practice becomes the process of recognizing that our true nature is always already timelessly free, and stabilizing confidence in our direct experience.

Throughout the year we will be studying The Flight of the Garuda, taking up Shabkar Tsokdruk Rangdrol’s teachings poem by poem. Shabkar—a wandering yogi renowned for his Dzogchen instruction—traveled through Tibet and Nepal sharing the Dharma with uncommon clarity and accessibility. His verses highlight a core Dzogchen perspective: our nature is already whole. Guided by Lama Willa and occasional guest teachers or practice leaders, we will use Shabkar’s poems as a steady pathway for easing self-effort, and cultivating devotion to and trust in our true nature that is already Buddha.

As with all programs at Natural Dharma Fellowship, an important part of the Natural Freedom Dzogchen Program is the third jewel—sangha. To that end, each person will be placed in a kula, or small peer group, providing an opportunity to practice relational dharma, learning from and with each other. More information about kulas will be provided in January.

Schedule

Our Dzogchen Sangha meets on the first and third Tuesdays from 5:15 – 6:30 pm ET. These twice-monthly sessions, primarily guided by Lama Willa, include space for practice, study, and shared reflection. Our first session will take place on February 3, 2026 and additional details will be sent to you in January.

Please also save the dates for our Natural Freedom Dzogchen retreats:

• Weekend Retreat: April 3-5, 2026 (online only)
• Intensive Silent Retreat: August 28 – Sept. 4, 2026 (hybrid: residential or online)
• Two Day-long Retreats: dates TBD (online only)

Program Pricing

It is Natural Dharma Fellowship’s aspiration that no one be turned away from our programs and retreats because they are unable to pay the full cost. This program is offered with a three-tier sliding fee scale so you may choose the amount that best fits your budget. Monthly payment plans are available if you wish to budget the fee over the year.

• May All Beings Benefit: $480 ($40/month) – For those who can afford it, this fee level helps provide support for those with limited financial resources and assists with the care and development of this program.
• The Middle Way: $360 ($30/month) – This fee covers the basic cost of this program.
• Held in Sangha Loving-Kindness: $240 ($20/month) – For those with limited financial resources or recent financial hardship.

It is already a wonderful act of generosity that you offer your presence and practice to our Sangha and we do not wish to create any hardship or a barrier to participation. If the lowest payment level does not fit your financial situation, please do not hesitate to request financial aid. Options will be available on the registration page. This is a simple process and does not require extensive information. 

Please note that the program registration fee does NOT include the retreats associated with this program, nor does it include the cost of required books. However, we offer a tiered fee structure for online participation in all retreats and financial assistance is available as needed.

Thank you for your generosity and for being a member of NDF’s Dzogchen Sangha. May all beings benefit!

Access to Recordings

While live attendance is strongly encouraged, we understand that not everyone can join every gathering. Participants have unlimited access to recordings of our twice-monthly sessions via their user dashboard. Please register using the same email linked to your NDF user account (dashboard/mobile app); if you don’t yet have an account, one will be created using your registration email.

Recordings may take time to become available, depending on our volunteer team’s workload. Thank you for your patience.

Natural Dharma Fellowship Full Calendar