Entering the Bright and Boundless Field (Online)

This is the ONLINE component of the retreat. If you’d like to register for the RESIDENTIAL component, please click here

This retreat explores the natural state through the writings of two masters of sky-mind, the Dzogchen Master, Lonchenpa, and the Zen Master Hongzhi. Through dazzlingly poetic language, these two masters open verbal portals through which the aspiring practitioner can enter the natural state of boundless, open awareness and cultivate it in everyday life. Join Rev. Ryushin Marchaj and Lama Liz Monson as we dance through fields of poetic awakening, joining body, speech and mind to the wisdom, boundless love, and space of these two awakened beings.

• Explore precious texts of Dzogchen and Zen masters with experienced teachers
• Practice sky-mind, natural awareness
• Aspire to experience the natural state as Spring awakens the natural world at Wonderwell Mountain Refuge

“The field of bright spirit is an ancient wilderness that does not change. With boundless eagerness wander around this immaculate wide plain. The drifting clouds embrace the mountain; the family wind is relaxed and simple. The autumn waters display the moon in its pure brightness. Directly arriving here you will be able to recognize the mind ground dharma field that is the root source of the ten thousand forms germinating with unwithered fertility. These flowers and leaves are the whole world. So we are told that a single seed is an uncultivated field. Do not weed out the new shoots and the self will flower.” (Zen Master Hongzhi, 1091-1157)

Just as all light is subsumed within the sun as its source,
all phenomena are subsumed within awakened mind as their source—
Even the impurity and confusion in the universe of appearances and possibilities.

Whatever occurs, by examining basic space as its matrix and abode
you find that it has no foundation,
but is subsumed within the timeless freedom of mind.

Beyond labels and their meanings,
confusion and its absence are subsumed
within the true nature of phenomena, the timeless expanse,
a supremely spacious state.
(Lonchenpa, 1308-1363)

Typical Retreat Schedule

(All times are Eastern time zone)

First Day — 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.

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

Zoom Link

The Zoom link will be sent several days before the retreat to all those registered. If you register after that date, you’ll receive the link with your confirmation email shortly after submitting your registration. If you don’t see an email from Natural Dharma Registrar or Wonderwell Mountain Refuge, it may have mistakenly gone to your spam folder or to Promotions or Updates in Gmail.

Important: Please put these this email address in your Contact or Safe-Send list to make sure you receive our emails:

• register@naturaldharma.org

Program Cost

Our program fees provide essential support to our non-profit operations and NDF’s mission to spread the Dharma in accessible, relevant, and creative ways. Our goal is that no one misses out on our events due to lack of funds. Thanks to our generous donors, we are able to offer tiered pricing and additional support to fit varied financial situations: 

• May All Beings Benefit! *– supporting access for all and general support for NDF operations
• A Middle Way – covering the base cost
• Held in Sangha Loving-kindness – offering ease when financial resources are limiting

If the lowest cost tier creates an obstacle to your attendance, please see our financial support options on the registration page. The process is simple and does not require extensive information. Financial aid is immediately approved using discount code options that allow you to contribute the most you are able while honoring your particular resources.

* The difference between the May All Beings Benefit! tier and the Middle Way tier will be considered a tax-deductible donation and will be acknowledged as such in writing. Contributing at this level helps us offer financial aid to other participants. Thank you!!

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