September Open Practice Weekend

With Willa Baker and Bob Morrison

September 6 - 8, 2019

Date and Time Details: Check-in at Wonderwell is between 3-5pm on the day of arrival. The retreat ends at noon on the final day and a light lunch is offered.

Location: Wonderwell Mountain Refuge

Address: 253 Philbrick Hill Rd Springfield NH 03284

Experience: The Open Practice weekend is open to beginner and experienced meditators.

$216.00 – NDF Non-Member Fri & Sat
$108.00 – NDF Non-Member Fri Night Only
$108.00 – NDF Non-Member Sat Night Only
$108.00 – NDF Member Fri & Sat
$54.00 – NDF Member Fri Night Only
$54.00 – NDF Member Sat Night Only
$108.00 – Commuter - (6 meals)
$54.00 – Commuter - (3 meals)

In order to keep pricing as low as possible, teacher fees are not included and are encouraged as "Dana" (generous giving), as each participant is moved to do so at the end of retreat.

What is sympathetic joy (mudita) and how do we practice it? September’s Open Practice Weekend provides space for personal and group meditation practice while exploring the theme of mudita, the practice of taking joy in the success, good qualities and happiness of others.

Open Practice Weekends at Wonderwell provide sacred space for beginning and experienced meditators to deepen in meditation practice, explore the natural beauty of the seasons of the locale, and connect with teachers-in-residence for personal guidance.

Noble silence is observed from 8pm Friday through 8am Sunday, with the exception of private dharma meetings with the teacher (sign-up available at registration) and structured exercises (such as Q and A). The daily practice schedule can be found below.

The rate on these weekends is as low as possible to allow everyone to attend. Natural Dharma Fellowship Members receive a 50% rate reduction for Open Practice weekends. The weekend includes simple vegetarian meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, including access to kitchen staples, teas, and snacks.

Friday
4:30-5:30 pm Registration
5:30 pm Dinner
7:00-8:00 pm Opening Session: Mudita, The Practice of Sympathetic Joy
8:00 pm Begin Noble Silence

Saturday
6:30-7:30 am Meditation and Walking Meditation
7:30-9:00 am Breakfast Break
9:00-10:00 am The Practice of Mudita
10:00-10:15 am Break
10:15-11:00 am Guided Meditation
11:00-12:00 pm Open Practice
12:00-2:00 pm Lunch Break
2:00-5:00 pm Open Practice [and Dharma Meetings with teachers]
5:30 pm Dinner
7:00-8:00 pm Questions and Answers
8:00-8:15 pm Break
8:15-9:00 pm Guided Meditation

Sunday
6:30-7:30 am Meditation and Walking Meditation
7:30-8:30 am Breakfast
8 am End Noble Silence
10:00-10:45 am Meditation
10:45-11:00 am Break
11:00-12:30 pm Dharma Sunday Teaching/Service
12:30 pm Community Potluck Lunch

Wonderwell Mountain Refuge Full Calendar

About the Teachers

Willa Baker

Willa B. Miller, PhD is the Founder and Spiritual Director 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 (lama) in the Kagyu lineage of Tibetan Buddhism after completion of two consecutive three-year retreats in the nineties. She has […]

Learn more about Willa Baker

Bob Morrison

Bob Morrison has been a Core Teacher of Natural Dharma Fellowship since its founding in 2009. He has studied and practiced in the Dzogchen/Mahamudra tradition since 1994 with numerous teachers both Tibetan and Western. With Camille Hykes, he co-directs NDF’s Margha Program, which alternates year-long trainings in Natural Meditation and Bodhicitta practices. He is also […]

Learn more about Bob Morrison