Open Practice Weekend (Residential Only)

4.002 reviews
Date
April 11 - 13, 2025

About this Retreat

Your Guides

Details of this retreat

Assistant Teacher: Barbara Waldorf

You are invited to spend a beautiful spring weekend of lightly structured practice with sangha. Sink into the beauty of Wonderwell’s woods, mountains and sky. Allow Noble Silence to support deepening intimacy with yourself, the environment and your practice.

Open Practice Weekends provide an opportunity for beginner and experienced meditators to deepen in meditation practice and explore the natural beauty of the seasons of Wonderwell. Guided practice and dharma talk attendance is optional. Take advantage of the structure or make your own structure. Scheduled guided meditations will provide gentle, pith instructions for practice. David will offer a teaching session on Saturday, and we will join Lama Liz for her online Dharma Sunday.

Please join us to:

Immerse yourself in individual practice while held in a supportive community at Wonderwell.
Connect with the land while walking on trails and sky gazing.
Curl up in one of Wonderwell’s many nooks with tea and a book from our extensive library of Buddhist texts.

The weekend includes vegetarian meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and access to teas and snacks. We are offering discounted rates to encourage participation and ease the cost of this weekend of practice together. All room types are private and the Dorms offer a significantly reduced rate. Please email the registrar at register@naturaldharma.org if you would like to register a second person in a room with a Queen bed (offered at the Dorm rate); or if you need further financial support.



General Schedule (subject to change)

Friday
3:00-5:00 pm:  Check in
5:30: Dinner
Evening: Welcome and Guided meditation
Begin Noble Silence

Saturday (3 meals)
Early am: Guided Meditation
am or pm Session with David
Evening: Guided Meditation

Sunday (2 meals)
Early am:  Guided Meditation
8:00 am: Breakfast
End Noble Silence
10:00 am:  Online Dharma Sunday with Lama Liz
12:00 pm: Lunch



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.



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):

> 14 days: 100% refund minus a $75 admin. fee.
7-14 days: 50% refund
< 7 days: nonrefundable

If you must cancel due to an emergency or extenuating circumstances, please contact us at register@naturaldharma.org.



Wonderwell Mountain Refuge Full Calendar

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Getting Here

Location icon Natural Dharma Fellowship

Directions

From Boston and points East
By Car: Wonderwell is a 2 hour drive from Boston. Take Highway 93 North to Highway 89 North. Take Exit 12A. At the bottom of the exit ramp, take a right turn. When that road T’s take a left onto Route 114. Take Route 114 past Lake Kolelemook (to your right). After going through the small town of Springfield, turn right on Philbrick Hill Road. Wonderwell is at the top of the hill, on the left.

*By Bus: The Dartmouth Coach runs from Boston (from Logan Airport and South Station) to New London (the Wonderwell stop) many times a day, and is a quick, efficient way to travel here. The Coach has wifi on board. Tickets can be purchased online or at South Station in Boston.

From NYC
*By Bus: The Dartmouth Coach runs from New York City to Lebanon, NH. The coach is a direct and comfortable way to travel between NYC and New Hampshire. For more information, see the Dartmouth Coach website.

From the Upper Valley
By Car: Wonderwell is 30 minutes south of Lebanon, NH on Highway 89. Take Highway 89 South to exit 13 (Grantham). At the bottom of the exit ramp, take a right turn. Continue past the Post Office until you intersect 114, and take a left. Take Route 114 for about 4 miles until Philbrick Hill Road and take a left. Wonderwell is at the top of the hill on the left.

*See our website for information on getting picked up at a bus stop. Read More

Accommodation

We offer a variety of accommodations, from dormitories for women and men, to double shared rooms some with private bath, some with shared bath, private rooms with private or shared baths, and a lovely Benefactor Suite at some retreats. We also offer the possibility of camping in warmer months, and all retreats also have a non-residential option, if you are commuting from home or staying at a local B&B or motel.

Open Practice - Private Room with Ensuite Bath

Accommodation
Please contact the registrar at retreats@wonderwellrefuge.org if two people would like to share a room with a queen bed. Read More

Open Practice - Private Room with Hall Bath

Accommodation
Please contact the registrar at retreats@wonderwellrefuge.org if two people would like to share a room with a queen bed. Read More

Open Practice - Women's Dorm

Accommodation
The women's dorm is on the second floor, has 6 twin beds and shares a hallway bathroom with a double sink, two privacy stalls and one shower.  The Women's Dorm bathroom accommodates both men and women. Each dorm bed comes with a pillow, a blanket, and a bedspread. In concern for energy and water conservation we ask guests to bring their own twin bed linens and bath towels.   Wonderwell does rent sheets and towels when it's necessary for those flying in for retreat - $10 for bed linens and $5 for a bath towel.  Please select those add-ons during the registration process if you need it. Please note: when you sign up for dorm accommodations, you acknowledge the fact that you are sleeping in a room with many other people, who may snore or have other sleeping habits. Please come prepared for this. The rooms can be drafty at times; each room may vary in temperature depending on the season. Fans and heaters are in the closet. You may bring anything else that you need for your comfort. Read More

Open Practice - Men's Dorm

Accommodation
The men's dorm has 3 twin beds and a bathroom serving only this dorm. Each dorm bed comes with a pillow, a blanket, and a bedspread. In concern for energy and water conservation we ask guests to bring their own twin bed linens and bath towels.  Wonderwell does rent sheets and towels when it's necessary for those flying in for retreat - $10 for bed linens and $5 for a bath towel.  Please select those add-ons during the registration process if you need it. Please note: when you sign up for dorm accommodations, you acknowledge the fact that you are sleeping in a room with many other people, who may snore or have other sleeping habits. Please come prepared for this. We have free foam ear plugs available, as well as fitted "snore-proof" silicon ear plugs for which we charge $2. The rooms can be drafty at times; each room may vary in temperature depending on the season. Fans and heaters are in the closet. You may bring anything else that you need for your comfort. Read More

Open Practice - Camping, Tent or Vehicle

Accommodation
Please click on "More Details" below to read about the possibilities for tent or vehicle camping. Indicate in the Comments box if you intend to camp in a tent or a vehicle. TENTING If two people are sharing a campsite, they must register separately, entering the tent mate's name in the roommate box on the registration form. When selecting to sleep in a tent outdoors, it is required that you are familiar and comfortable with camping in all possible weather conditions, out in the country of New Hampshire. Please bring all necessary equipment, including (but not limited to) tent, stakes, rain fly, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, flashlight, bug spray, etc. Check these items to make certain all pieces are in working order before arrival. There isn't staff available to help you set up your equipment, please be self sufficient in this regard. The tenting area is located directly behind the building in the yard. We can not have any tents on the side of the house, or anywhere visible from the road. Shower/bathroom accommodations are available in the basement by entering the back door marked "Camping Bathroom Access." Please do not linger in basement area, other then using the bathroom. The basement is part of the retreat center and Noble Silence applies to this area, as well as all areas of the grounds, when the program requires it. If for some reason (rain, bugs, etc.) you would like to upgrade your accommodations and move into the building during the retreat, for even one night: Upgrades to Dorm or Shared Room accommodations are possible only when checking with the Retreat Manager first. The cost for an Upgrade is the difference between the camper rate, and the rate of the new accommodation.   VEHICLE CAMPING If you plan to shower in your vehicle during the retreat, you may register as a commuter/self-contained vehicle camper. Please do check with us first. A limited number of spots for vehicle camping are available at all Wonderwell retreats, provided the following points are adhered to: There is NO DUMPING offered at Wonderwell. If a camping vehicle is self-contained, it must have holding tanks for both gray and black water. All dumping of waste water must be done at an appropriate facility off-site. Campers must NOT exceed 25 feet in length. NO LEVELING DEVICES (jacks) are permitted. You must park in the lower lot. Absolutely NO GENERATORS may be used at any time. All vehicles/campers must have 4 rigid sides (no pop-up campers). Folding campers are prohibited. Also prohibited are car rooftop tents or sleeping in cars, trucks or mini vans. NO OUTDOOR COOKING is permitted at any time. With the exception of a true emergency, the camper must remain parked between the hours of 8:00 pm and 7:00 am. If you will NOT be showering in your vehicle during the retreat, you will be assigned to one of our two shared full baths at Wonderwell to shower during the retreat. If you DO plan to shower in your vehicle during the retreat, you may register as a commuter. Please do check with us first." Thanks for your cooperation! If two people are sharing a camper van, they must register separately. Read More

Open Practice - Camping, Self-Contained Vehicle

Accommodation
The self-contained vehicle camping option applies to campers that BOTH meet our vehicle requirements (see below) AND contain full bathroom facilities. You will NOT be using a shower at Wonderwell, but instead will use the one in your vehicle parked at Wonderwell. There is NO DUMPING offered at Wonderwell. If a camping vehicle is self-contained, it must have holding tanks for both gray and black water. All dumping of waste water must be done at an appropriate facility off-site. Campers must NOT exceed 25 feet in length. NO LEVELING DEVICES (jacks) are permitted. You must park in the lower lot. Absolutely NO GENERATORS may be used at any time. All vehicles/campers must have 4 rigid sides (no pop-up campers). Folding campers are prohibited. Also prohibited are car rooftop tents or sleeping in cars, trucks or mini vans. NO OUTDOOR COOKING is permitted at any time. With the exception of a true emergency, the camper must remain parked between the hours of 8:00 pm and 7:00 am. You will be assigned to one of our two shared full baths at Wonderwell to shower during the retreat. Thanks for your cooperation! If two people are sharing a camper van, they must register separately. Read More

Open Practice - Commuter

Accommodation
This price for a commuter includes all meals and the teaching curriculum. There are many places for you to relax within the building, during breaks. There is a living room on the first floor, 2 dining rooms on the first floor, a large outdoor covered porch extending from the large dining room, a couch on the second floor and a day bed in the hallway of the third floor. Read More

Venue & Amenities

A/C in Rooms icon A/C in Rooms
Free Wifi icon Free Wifi
Spa icon Spa
Sauna icon Sauna
Pool icon Pool
Towels icon Towels
Free Parking icon Free Parking
Kitchen icon Kitchen
Tour Assistance icon Tour Assistance
Hot Tub icon Hot Tub
Coffee/Tea icon Coffee/Tea
Cafe icon Cafe
Restaurant icon Restaurant
Fitness Center icon Fitness Center
Yoga Studio icon Yoga Studio
Housekeeping icon Housekeeping
Bicycles For Rent icon Bicycles For Rent
Located on twenty-five acres of rolling hills in Springfield, New Hampshire, Wonderwell was originally built as a summer home in 1911. Tranquil and serene, surrounded by woods, meadows, gardens, and century-old stone walls, Wonderwell’s stately main building offers a comfortable and spacious setting in which the transformative potential of meditation—for work, community and daily life—can be explored and realized. Recently, due to its many unique features, the building has been recognized as a New Hampshire state historic site.

The house is situated on a west-facing hillside with sweeping views of sky and mountains. On one end of the building is the Great Room, now the meditation hall, which can accommodate groups of up to 100 people. The hall has an oak balcony encircling the room above and two fieldstone fireplaces. Other features of this historic building include a large covered porch for outdoor practice, a kitchen with industrial appliances, dining facilities, 13 bathrooms, and 15 bedrooms of varying capacities sleeping up to 36 people. We have been working tirelessly, with a successful major capital campaign and continuing renovations, to bring Wonderwell into the 21st century, and complete the work necessary to keep this lovely historic building code-compliant, safe, and sustainable.

The house is partially shielded from a country road by majestic, old oak trees, and is framed by well-established perennials, with multiple garden spaces. Behind the house is an acre of open field that gives way to sloping forested land with excellent trail system potential and sites for several retreat cabins. The back of the house faces west toward jaw-dropping, sky-gazing views of Mount Croyden, behind which the sun sets in the evening.

For the many volunteers and benefactors who support Wonderwell, as well as for the people who work there, caring for Wonderwell has become a practice of sacred stewardship. For all of these people, Wonderwell is not just a building; it is a community. Read More

Meals

Menu Types

Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included in your accommodation fee. Our kitchen is dedicated to providing local fresh and/or organic foods whenever possible and we enjoy relationships with Kearsarge Food Hub, and other farmers in the area. All meals are vegetarian, with gluten-free and dairy-free options available at every meal. Meals are served buffet style. Snacks such as fresh fruit, toast and crackers, nut butters, jams, nuts, and dried fruit are available 24 hours a day. Coffee is offered, usually until lunchtime, and hot water and all kinds of teas are always available. The fee for the commuter registration option also includes all meals. Read More

Customer Reviews

4.00 out of 5.0 average rating

3.0
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Fall Equinox celebration (zoom)
This was my first experience with WonderWell.

I was disappointed that over an hour of the 90 min session was the music group playing. I did not really know what to do during this time, perhaps because I am such a novice.

The guided meditation near the end with Lama Liz was wonderful. Read More

5.0
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Stellar!
Lama Liz and the Natural Dharma Fellowship community is so incredibly welcoming and kind. I have never seen a community so unbiased and open in my life! This is a community for new and experiences practitioners of Buddhism and is tremendously welcoming to all variations of faith of practice. Read More

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