Beginner's Retreat: Discovering the Simplicity of Meditation (Residential Only)

Dilgo Khyentse once said,

“Meditation could be described as the
Art of Simplicity: simply sitting,
simply breathing, and simply being.”

So simple indeed, but not so easy. Come join us at Wonderwell Mountain Refuge to explore the practice of meditation. This retreat is an invitation to step away from the busyness of daily life and discover what simply sitting, breathing, and being has to offer. Amidst the quiet beauty of New Hampshire’s Upper Valley and held in gentle, welcoming community, this beginner-friendly retreat offers an opportunity to experience different types of meditation through guided practice, accessible teachings, and the restorative power of silence.

Learning to meditate is an act of kindness—not only toward yourself, but also toward those you love, and indeed toward the wider world. Nothing is more precious than relaxing into one’s essential nature—so close we often overlook it, yet revealed as something that has always been present when we learn to slow down and pay attention.  

Please join us to:

• Learn timeless meditation practices for everyday life.
• Connect with inner stillness and ease.
• Cultivate greater kindness toward yourself and others.
• Develop a steadier, more compassionate way of meeting the world.

Through meditation practice, we can learn to connect to an inner stillness that offers us a source of refuge available in every moment. In the radical act of “simply sitting, simply breathing, and simply being,” we may find ourselves softening, becoming more gentle, and reconnecting with our innate capacity for care. We invite you to join us in this exploration.

Throughout the weekend, Tracie and Kathe will offer different types of meditation, including befriending difficult feelings and resting in open awareness. They will also introduce the dharma teachings of the Himalayan Buddhist lineage tradition, exploring what has drawn people to meditation practice for thousands of years.

Much of the weekend will be held in Noble Silence, a traditional Buddhist practice that supports settling the mind and opening to deeper awareness. The silence will be balanced with periods of teaching, discussion, and opportunities to connect with fellow retreatants.

No previous meditation experience is necessary. Everyone is warmly welcome.

Typical Retreat Schedule

(All times are Eastern time zone)

First Day — Check-in from 3:00 – 5:00 pm. Opening session begins around 7:00 pm.

Full-Day Schedule — Morning meditation 7:00 am; Breakfast break 8:00-9:30 am; Lunch break 12:00-2:00 pm; Dinner break 5:30-7:00 pm. Evening session 7:00-8:30 pm

Last Day —The closing session end at 12:00 pm.

These times are just for reference and may change. An expanded retreat schedule will be posted at Wonderwell when you arrive.

Important Health Information

COVID-19 testing is no longer required. Masks are optional and encouraged if you are at higher risk. We encourage you to stay at home if you are symptomatic to protect others.

Scholarships

Cancellation Policy

We understand that personal circumstances may require you to cancel your registration. In these cases, please contact us right away at register@naturaldharma.org. Cancellations affect our ability to offer rooms to others and create additional work for our staff, therefore we charge the following fees to help mitigate these costs.

For cancellations (based on program start date):

• > 45 days: 100% refund minus a $75 admin. fee.
• 31-45 days: 50% refund of the required deposit; or 75% refund if registration paid in full.
• 21-30 days: 50% refund of total registration cost
• < 21 days: nonrefundable

If you must cancel due to an emergency or extenuating circumstances, please contact us at register@naturaldharma.org.

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