The Transformative Power of Tonglen (Residential Only)

Compassion, Integration, Healing

Rising out of the “Great Compassion” tradition of Buddhism, tonglen is an ancient meditation practice that is nothing less than a technical guide and support system for the exercise of unconditional love with regard to others and to ourselves. It systematically helps us to untie the knots, and to pass through the barriers that keep us from exercising our full human capacity to love and to heal. It teaches us how to transcend our distancing and separation, welcome what we thought we couldn’t handle, and to bless ourselves and others with our capacity for loving presence.

We will study and draw on this ancient practice while also studying the mysteries of the heart, and its energetic field. And we will use simple heart and communication practices to deepen the sense of reciprocity and mutual listening within the group.

Please join us to:

• Cultivate a grounded, embodied sense of compassion
• Practice deep listening and heart communication
• Expand your capacity to be present to your own suffering, the suffering of others, and of the world.

Taking time to access an internal sense of grounding – and to explore a bodily felt sense of inner integrity and reciprocity with our own feeling states – we will look at how to build our brave and tender capacity to stay present and to compassionately and effectively embrace our experience – whether of the events and people around us or of the most subtle or painful movements of feeling within us. We will explore tonglen’s applications to the integration of our present emotional states; of our “inner child;” of relational conflict and guilt; and, finally, of our capacity to be available to the suffering of others and of the world.

In its broadest sense, tonglen is a yoga of integrating contradictions – and any arising negative or reactive conditioning – in the context of a more integrated capacity for love, availability and presence.

This relaxed but focused retreat format offers us the time, the support, and the safety to learn and to practice this meditative art of embracing our own issues of difficulty or pain (old and new) — as well as the pain of the world or of our loved ones. And we will take the time to share and be present for each other and for the challenges arising at each stage of practice.  We will open gradually into a more integrated sense of presence, a wider field of compassion, and a greater capacity for healing and responding.

Suitable for all levels.
Relaxing and integrative qigong exercises during breaks.

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 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.

Financial Aid

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.

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