Natural Freedom: Deepening in the Path of Dzogchen (Residential)
With Lama Willa Blythe Baker and Lama Liz Monson
September 4 - 9, 2025
Registration will open at 12:00 pm ET on Saturday, May 10.
This is the RESIDENTIAL component of the retreat. If you’d like to register for the ONLINE component, please click here.
Join our annual gathering of the Natural Freedom Sangha at Wonderwell as we explore how to sustain Dzogchen in daily life by deepening into the practice of radical presence within the primordial nature. Topics will include the view, meditation and action of Dzogchen, deviations from the view and their remedies, and how to sustain an enlivened daily practice.
Daily Dharma study will feature the Dzogchen classic Flight of the Garuda, by Shabkhar Tsokdruk Rangdrol.
Emphasis will be on deepening into practice, dharma study and cultivating a heartfelt connection to sangha. The intention of the retreat is to reconnect to our nature of vastness and freedom while realizing the path is every moment of life itself.
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 8:00-9:30 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 ends 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
Natural Dharma Fellowship strives to offer retreats in a manner that is inclusive and accessible. If the full retreat cost would create an undue financial burden, we encourage you to apply for a scholarship. Please visit this page on our website to learn more about financial aid options.
Please do not apply for financial assistance until after you have registered for the retreat. If the required deposit would be an obstacle, please contact register@naturaldharma.org.
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
About the Teachers

Lama Willa Blythe Baker
Lama Willa Blythe Baker, Ph.D. is the Founder of Natural Dharma Fellowship in Boston, MA and its retreat center Wonderwell Mountain Refuge in Springfield, NH. She was authorized as a dharma teacher and lineage holder in the Kagyu lineage of Tibetan Buddhism after twelve years of monastic training and two consecutive three-year retreats. She also […]
Learn more about Lama Willa Blythe Baker
Lama Liz Monson
Lama, Managing Teacher, Spiritual Co-Director Elizabeth Monson, PhD, is the Spiritual Co-Director of Natural Dharma Fellowship and the Managing Teacher at Wonderwell Mountain Refuge in Springfield, NH. Liz was authorized as a dharma teacher and lineage holder in the Kagyu Lineage of Tibetan Buddhism after over 30 years of studying, practicing, and teaching Tibetan Buddhism […]
Learn more about Lama Liz MonsonCategories : *Hybrid, *Residential, Lama Liz Monson, Lama Willa Baker, Retreats