Devotion on the Dzogchen Path (Residential)

This is the RESIDENTIAL component of the retreat. If you’d like to register for the ONLINE component, please click here. Please note that this retreat is only open to students in the Natural Freedom Dzogchen Program.

Join the Natural Freedom Sangha for our annual hybrid retreat, Devotion on the Dzogchen Path, a time of deep practice, Dharma study, and heartfelt connection grounded in the living tradition of Dzogchen. This year, our shared inquiry will center on devotion and refuge through continued engagement with The Flight of the Garuda, Shabkar Tsokdruk Rangdrol’s luminous songs on the already-complete nature of mind.

Through Dharma teachings, meditation, movement, and relational practices, we will explore how trust, reverence, and the softening of the heart can open us to the recognition of rigpa—our true nature—and the timeless freedom that is always present. The retreat will include daily teachings, group meditation, relational dharma practices such as Dzogchen Dialogue, movement practice guided by Laura Sicari, and spacious opportunities to rest in the essence, nature, and compassionate display of awareness itself.

Please join us to:

• Engage in practices that support the direct experience of rigpa
• Deepen your experience of devotion and refuge as gateways to recognizing natural freedom
• Rest deeply, release striving, and immerse yourself in profound practice
• Commune with Lama Willa and the Dzogchen Sangha amidst the summer beauty of Wonderwell’s grounds and sky

Whether participating residentially at Wonderwell or joining from your side of the Zoom screen, our emphasis will be on deepening practice, strengthening devotion, and renewing our connection to the Third Jewel—sangha. Together, we will reconnect with the vastness and freedom of our true nature, discovering ever more deeply that the path is not separate from life itself, but present within every moment.

Students are especially encouraged to attend onsite if possible. The opportunity to practice together in person with Lama Willa and fellow members of the Natural Freedom Sangha offers a rare and precious container for direct transmission, shared inquiry, and spiritual friendship. This retreat will also be the last retreat Lama Willa will offer from Wonderwell until summer 2027, making this gathering especially meaningful for those able to attend, both onsite and online.

Please bring a printed copy of our program text to the retreat: The Flight of the Garuda, by Shabkar Tsokdruk Rangdrol (available for download/printing from your NDF dashboard). Please also bring comfortable clothing for yoga and movement, as well as anything you may need for periods of outdoor meditation practice.

Yoga offered by Laura Sicari 

Typical Retreat Schedule

(All times are Eastern time zone)

First Day — Orientation at 5:15 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.

Last Day — The closing session typically ends by 12:00 pm and is followed by a light lunch. Departure by 2:00 pm.

These times are just for reference. An expanded schedule will be provided in pre-retreat information emailed during the week prior to the event.

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.

Access to Recordings

NDF offers unlimited access to recordings, which are accessed in your user dashboard (more information about user accounts provided in a pre-retreat letter). If you have a user account, please register with the same email you use to log into your dashboard. If not, an account will be created for you using your registration address.

Availability will vary depending on the type of event and the backlog for our precious resource volunteers. Thank you for your patience.

Natural Dharma Fellowship Full Calendar