Sounds of Silence: The Power of Mindful Music & Chanting with Satigata (Residential)
253 Philbrick Hill Road, Springfield, New Hampshire, USA
November 13 - 15, 2026
About this Retreat
Chris Berlin is an instructor in spiritual counseling and Buddhist ministry at Harvard Divinity School, where he also serves as a counselor to Buddhist graduate students. His teaching ranges from counseling theory and practice, and contemplative approaches in clinical chaplaincy, to courses in mindfulness, resilience theory and Buddhism. He is also a faculty member at the Harvard Extension School where he teaches courses on mindfulness, resilience, positive psychology, compassion, and the contemplative arts.
Chris has previously served as a full-time chaplain at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston where he received extensive experience teaching meditation and mindfulness to patients and medical clinicians alike. He is a contributing author to the seminal work on Buddhist chaplaincy, The Arts of Contemplative Care: Pioneering Voices in Buddhist Chaplaincy and Pastoral Work, and has written about resilience in spiritual loss due to adversity and trauma.
Chris is a lay teacher in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition and offers regular meditation classes, workshops and retreats in the Greater Boston area. He is also the co-founder of the music and Buddhist chanting group, Satigata, that performs regularly throughout the Greater Boston area.
Chris received his Masters of Divinity degree from Harvard Divinity School and holds a degree in Buddhist and Hindu religions and psychology from UC Santa Barbara in California.
Darren Becker began studying Buddhism and practicing intensive meditation in 2004 while traveling in India. He went on to receive a Master of Divinity degree at Harvard Divinity School in 2015, where he focused on Tibetan Buddhism. As part of his training at Harvard, Darren spent a summer interning at Wonderwell Mountain Refuge and received a grant to go on pilgrimage in Ladakh and Nepal.After graduate school, Darren started a meditation program emphasizing mindfulness and compassion at the Mount Auburn Club in Watertown, MA.Along with Chris Berlin, he co-founded the band Satigata, which transmits wisdom and compassion through original music and chanting. Darren was ordained by the Dedicated Life Institute in Newton, MA in 2019, a community in which he is an active leader and teacher.Darren lives in Watertown with his wife, Michelle, and runs a tennis club in Lexington.
Details of this retreat
What does it mean to use music and chanting to foster mindful awareness? What is it like to come together in community and allow melodies, harmonies, and rhythms to emerge from the vast space of silence? How does music enhance sacred teachings and mantras, bringing to life the wisdom they transmit?
Explore these questions during a unique residential retreat with visiting teacher Chris Berlin, Darren Becker, and the members of their band, Satigata.
Founded in the chapels and classrooms of Harvard Divinity School, Satigata blends traditional Buddhist chants with acoustic instruments, hand drums, singing bowls, and folk-inspired melodies. “Satigata” is a Pali term that roughly translates to “moving into mindfulness.” During this immersive weekend, you will be invited to explore how sound and musical expression can arise naturally from contemplative practice and communal presence. Prior musical knowledge is not necessary, and no one will be put on the spot to perform!
Please Join Us To:
Practice core mindfulness meditations
Explore the relationship between silence, sound, and mindful awareness
Create sound together in a supportive, non-performance environment
Discover how music and chanting bring sacred teachings and mantras to life
Learn basics in breath, voice, rhythm and improvisation to support your own chanting practice
During this retreat, Chris Berlin, Darren Becker, and the members of Satigata will guide participants in an experiential exploration of these questions. Drawing on the band’s original music, Buddhist chants, and contemplative practices, the weekend offers an opportunity to discover how musical expression may arise naturally through mindfulness, a few simple techniques, and a sense of communal presence.
The retreat will include core mindfulness meditation, group chanting, collaborative sound-making, a few brief dharma talks, question-and-answer sessions, and discussion. The remainder of the weekend will be held in noble silence, allowing participants to experience how sound can emerge from—and return to—the spaciousness of stillness.
Music will be woven throughout the retreat. Some practices, including walking meditation and nighttime sky-gazing, will take place outdoors on the beautiful grounds of Wonderwell Mountain Refuge.
Residential retreat offers an opportunity to deepen your meditation practice while being nourished by the natural beauty of Wonderwell Mountain Refuge’s verdant campus, tucked in New Hampshire’s Upper Valley. Through meditation, music, chanting, noble silence, and community, the weekend unfolds within a supportive rhythm of daily practice, nourishing meals, and time to rest and reflect amidst the surrounding fields, forests, and sky.
No prior musical knowledge is necessary, and no one will be put on the spot to perform. Rather, this retreat is an invitation to explore how musical expression may arise naturally for you with the help of a few resources and a sense of communal presence.
Typical Retreat Schedule
(All times are Eastern time zone)
First Day — 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 followed by a light lunch.
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
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.
Natural Dharma Fellowship Full Calendar
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.
Benefactor Suite
![Accommodation]()
The Vajra Suite is a spacious, private retreat space featuring a king bed, ensuite bath, and a deck perfect for stepping outside into the fresh mountain air. It also includes a separate meditation room with expansive western views, a kitchenette, and both a private entrance and direct access to Wonderwell’s living room. Adorned with beautiful thangkas and thoughtful details throughout, the suite offers a sense of sanctuary from the moment you arrive. Linens and towels are provided, and the bedroom is air-conditioned for added comfort.This suite may be reserved for two guests. You may share the king bed, or one guest may use the twin bed in the meditation room for additional space and privacy.By choosing this Benefactor room option, you are not only offering yourself a deeply supportive and restorative space—you are also helping sustain Wonderwell Mountain Refuge and Natural Dharma Fellowship as a whole. Your support directly contributes to the care and stewardship of our historic buildings and grounds, and helps make retreat practice more accessible for others. In this way, your stay becomes part of a wider circle of generosity that allows the sangha to flourish and be of benefit in a world that needs the dharma. Thank you. Your support is deeply appreciated.Double OccupancyIf booking for two guests, please select “2 guests” during registration. The room price will automatically adjust for the second person. The second guest will receive an email with a link to complete their personal registration details. Registration is not considered complete until each guest has submitted their personal information.
Private Room: Queen Bed & Ensuite Bath
![Accommodation]()
These comfortable private rooms feature a queen bed and a private ensuite bath. They may also be reserved by couples staying at Wonderwell. There are two rooms located on the second floor and one on the third floor. The queen bed includes pillows, a blanket, and a bedspread. In support of our energy and water conservation efforts, we ask guests to bring their own bed linens and towels.Rentals are available for those flying in or unable to bring them ($10 for bed linens, $5 for a bath towel)—please select these add-ons during registration.Room temperatures can vary with the season. Fans and heaters are provided, and you are welcome to bring anything that will support your comfort.All retreatants are welcome to enjoy Wonderwell’s shared spaces throughout their stay, including cozy book nook libraries, multiple dining rooms, a comfortable living room, and quiet lounge areas with couches and chairs for rest and reflection. The covered porch offers a peaceful place to sit with the mountain air, and guests are invited to wander the surrounding grounds and hiking trails.Multiple GuestsIf booking for two guests, please select “2 guests” during registration. The room price will automatically adjust for the second person. The second guest will receive an email with a link to complete their personal registration details. Registration is not considered complete until each guest has submitted their personal information.
Private Room: Queen bed & Hall Bath
![Accommodation]()
These comfortable private rooms feature a queen bed and a shared hall bath on the same floor as your room. They may also be reserved by couples staying at Wonderwell. One room is located on the garden level and one is on the third floor. The queen bed includes pillows, a blanket, and a bedspread. In support of our energy and water conservation efforts, we ask guests to bring their own bed linens and towels.Rentals are available for those flying in or unable to bring them ($10 for bed linens, $5 for a bath towel)—please select these add-ons during registration.Room temperatures can vary with the season. Fans and heaters are provided, and you are welcome to bring anything that will support your comfort.All retreatants are welcome to enjoy Wonderwell’s shared spaces throughout their stay, including cozy book nook libraries, multiple dining rooms, a comfortable living room, and quiet lounge areas with couches and chairs for rest and reflection. The covered porch offers a peaceful place to sit with the mountain air, and guests are invited to wander the surrounding grounds and hiking trails.Multiple GuestsIf booking for two guests, please select “2 guests” during registration. The room price will automatically adjust for the second person. The second guest will receive an email with a link to complete their personal registration details. Registration is not considered complete until each guest has submitted their personal information.
Private Room: Twin Bed & Ensuite Bath
![Accommodation]()
These comfortable private rooms feature a twin bed and a private ensuite bath. They are located on the second and third floors.The twin bed includes a pillow, blanket, and a bedspread. In support of our energy and water conservation efforts, we ask guests to bring their own bed linens and towels. Rentals are available for those flying in or unable to bring them ($10 for bed linens, $5 for a bath towel)—please select these add-ons during registration.Room temperatures can vary with the season. Fans and heaters are provided, and you are welcome to bring anything that will support your comfort. Room requests are welcome, though not guaranteed.All retreatants are welcome to enjoy Wonderwell’s shared spaces throughout their stay, including cozy book nook libraries, multiple dining rooms, a comfortable living room, and quiet lounge areas with couches and chairs for rest and reflection. The covered porch offers a peaceful place to sit with the mountain air, and guests are invited to wander the surrounding grounds and hiking trails.
Private Room: Twin Bed & Hall Bath
![Accommodation]()
Two private room with hall bath are located on the second floor and two are in the walkout basement, with inside stairs for dining and Meditation Hall access. The shared bathroom has one toilet, a sink and a shower. In the basement, there is also a sitting area and a kitchen in the basement. Please only use the microwave and coffee maker and no other appliances. If there are people camping in the backyard, you will also share the basement bathroom with them. They do not share any other basement amenities.
Each private room 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.
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.
Shared Room: Twin Bed & Ensuite Bath
![Accommodation]()
If you register for a shared room, you are agreeing that you will accept sharing it with someone you don't know. If you are not willing to make that agreement, please do not register for a shared room. Unrelated men and women will never be assigned to the same room.
Each shared room in this price range contains two twin beds (couples may want to reserve a private room with a queen bed) and an ensuite bathroom. The bathroom is only used by the two people assigned to the room. All but one of Wonderwell's shared rooms with ensuite baths are located on the second and third floors. Each twin bed comes with a pillow, a blanket, and a bedspread. The room on the first floor is handicap accessible; please contact the registrar for availability.
Out of concern for energy and water conservation we ask guests to bring their own bed linens and bath towels. Wonderwell does rent bed linen 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.
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.
If you prefer a certain roommate, please list their name in the comment section of the registration form. Please know, that by selecting this room option, you will have a roommate. You understand that others have various sleeping habits and can snore. If this is of concern, we recommend choosing a private room.
If you have a favorite room, you may request it in the comment section of the registration form. No guarantees!
Shared Room: Twin Bed & Hall Bath
![Accommodation]()
These comfortable rooms have two twin beds and a shared hall bath on the same floor as your room. Most rooms are located on the second and third floors, with one accessible first-floor option available upon request.By selecting a shared room, you agree to share the space with another retreat participant (we do not assign unrelated men and women to the same room). If you prefer to room with a specific person, please list their name in the comment section of the registration form.Each bed includes a pillow, blanket, and a bedspread. In support of our energy and water conservation efforts, we ask guests to bring their own bed linens and towels. Rentals are available for those flying in or unable to bring them ($10 for bed linens, $5 for a bath towel)—please select these add-ons during registration.Room temperatures can vary with the season. Fans and heaters are provided, and you are welcome to bring anything that will support your comfort. Room requests are welcome, though not guaranteed.All retreatants are welcome to enjoy Wonderwell’s shared spaces throughout their stay, including cozy book nook libraries, multiple dining rooms, a comfortable living room, and quiet lounge areas with couches and chairs for rest and reflection. The covered porch offers a peaceful place to sit with the mountain air, and guests are invited to wander the surrounding grounds and hiking trails.If you are sensitive to noise or prefer more privacy, a private room may be a better fit. Room requests are welcome, though not guaranteed.Group BookingsIf you are reserving beds for multiple guests, please note that each additional member of your party will receive an email with a link to complete their personal registration details. Registration is not considered complete until each guest has submitted their personal information.
Women's Dorm
![Accommodation]()
The Women’s Dorm is located on the second floor and contains six comfortable twin beds. With a western-facing view, this room offers a lovely vantage for Wonderwell’s sunsets and moonsets over the mountains. The dorm has a dedicated hallway bathroom with double sinks, two privacy stalls, and one shower. Each bed includes a pillow, blanket and a bedspread. In support of our energy and water conservation efforts, we ask guests to bring their own twin bed linens and towels. Rentals are available for those flying in or unable to bring them ($10 for bed linens, $5 for a bath towel)—please select these add-ons during registration.By selecting dorm accommodations, you acknowledge that you will be sharing the space with multiple people, and that others may have different sleeping habits, including snoring. Please come prepared with this in mind.Room temperatures can vary with the season. Fans and heaters are provided, and you are welcome to bring anything that will support your comfort.All retreatants are welcome to enjoy Wonderwell’s shared spaces throughout their stay, including cozy book nook libraries, multiple dining rooms, a comfortable living room, and quiet lounge areas with couches and chairs for rest and reflection. The covered porch offers a peaceful place to sit with the mountain air, and guests are invited to wander the surrounding grounds and hiking trails.Group BookingsIf you are reserving dorm space for multiple guests, please note that each additional member of your party will receive an email with a link to complete their personal registration details. Registration is not considered complete until each guest has submitted their personal information.
Men's Dorm
![Accommodation]()
The Men’s Dorm is located on the second floor and contains three comfortable twin beds, along with a private ensuite bathroom and a cozy eastern-facing window nook.Each bed includes a pillow, blanket, and bedspread. In support of our energy and water conservation efforts, we ask guests to bring their own twin bed linens and towels. Rentals are available for those flying in or unable to bring them ($10 for bed linens, $5 for a bath towel)—please select these add-ons during registration.By selecting dorm accommodations, you acknowledge that you will be sharing the space with multiple people, and that others may have different sleeping habits, including snoring. Please come prepared with this in mind.Room temperatures can vary with the season. Fans and heaters are provided, and you are welcome to bring anything that will support your comfort.All retreatants are welcome to enjoy Wonderwell’s shared spaces throughout their stay, including cozy book nook libraries, multiple dining rooms, a comfortable living room, and quiet lounge areas with couches and chairs for rest and reflection. The covered porch offers a peaceful place to sit with the mountain air, and guests are invited to wander the surrounding grounds and hiking trails.Group BookingsIf you are reserving dorm space for multiple guests, please note that each additional member of your party will receive an email with a link to complete their personal registration details. Registration is not considered complete until each guest has submitted their personal information.
Commuting
![Accommodation]()
Commuters enjoy full access to the retreat experience while staying off-site. They are included in all meals and participate fully in the program. During breaks, you are welcome to relax in shared spaces throughout the building, including cozy book nook libraries, multiple dining rooms, a comfortable living room, and quiet lounge areas with couches and chairs for rest and reflection. The covered porch offers a peaceful place to sit with the mountain air, and guests are invited to wander the surrounding grounds and hiking trails.Please register as a commuter only if you plan to attend the entire retreat in person at Wonderwell. Occasional exceptions (such as weather) may be considered on a case-by-case basis.Vehicle Camping Note: If you are staying in a self-contained vehicle that meets Wonderwell’s requirements and includes full bathroom facilities—and you will not be using indoor showers—you should register as a commuter. Please review the Vehicle Camping section for full details and approval requirements.Local Lodging:While Wonderwell cannot guarantee availability, verify quality, or assist with booking, there are a number of lodging options in the surrounding area.Stay with local sangha members and friendsGrantham: Home of sangha member (with Barbara P)Wilmot: Home of sangha member (with Phil M)New London, NH (15 to 20 minute drive) The New London InnMaple Hill FarmLamplighter Motor InnInn at Pleasant LakeSunapee, NH (15 to 20 minute drive)The LodgeDexter's InnTwin DoorsSunapee Harbor CottagesEnfield, NH (20 minute drive; 30 minutes in winter)The Enfield Shaker Museum - The Enfield Shaker Museum offers a 10% overnight room discount for guests who are attending programs at Wonderwell. Just use the code “wonderwell” when checking out. Shaker Hill Bed and BreakfastShaker Farm Bed and BreakfastCampground in Lebanon (30 minute drive) Mascoma Lake Campground
Venue & Amenities
A/C in Rooms
Free Wifi
Spa
Sauna
Pool
Towels
Free Parking
Kitchen
Tour Assistance
Hot Tub
Coffee/Tea
Cafe
Restaurant
Fitness Center
Yoga Studio
Housekeeping
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.
Verified
