Fierce Compassion: A Path Through Adversity (Residential)

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

Join Chris Berlin and guest teacher Khenpo Kalsang in exploring fierce compassion as a way to take difficulties and challenging times onto the path. Learn how to draw on an aspirational attitude and the energy of clear awareness to attend to the realities of life change in a turbulent world.

We will also draw on Rabjam Longchenpa’s work “Freedom Attends Reality” as a foundation for cultivating a seven-stage practice to integrate the aims of Dzogchen into skillful means within our everyday lives through fierce compassion.

Please join us to:

• Explore—the raw energy present within emotions, aspiration, and awareness itself.
• Practice—seven key stages to cultivate a contemplative approach to attending reality with wisdom and compassion.
• Transform—this life into a path that is empowered through Dharma and which can hold all we feel, experience, and aspire to awaken in our lives.

Suitable for all levels. Some body movement will be offered. Music and chanting will support our practice.

Typical Retreat Schedule

(All times are Eastern time zone)

First Day — Orientation at 6:45 pm. Opening session begins around 7:00 pm.

Full-Day Schedule — Morning meditation 7:00 am; Breakfast break 8:0-9:30 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. An expanded schedule will be provided in pre-retreat information emailed during the week prior to the event.

Important Health Information

The NDF Health Committee continues to monitor evolving public health conditions and trends, as we keep the safety of our Sangha at the forefront of our decision-making. At this time, 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