We’re manifesting the future of our Dharma vessel. Please join us!
You may have heard that Natural Dharma Fellowship recently committed to a big piece of its future.And also heard we have and will work hard to maintain Wonderwell as a place of comfort, safety, and serenity.While we are crafting fundraising plans to support the sangha’s vision for the future,here’s the story so far and a sneak preview of what could be!
The Story
The vibrant open field pictured above and the quaint, yet sprawling, yellow farmhouse in the photo below, grace the property adjacent to Wonderwell, our retreat center’s historic main building. This beautiful, open landscape has merged with our mountain refuge along with low wetlands and extended wooded areas along both sides of Philbrick Hill Road.
Acquisition of this 173-acre homestead protects Wonderwell Mountain Refuge in perpetuity from encroaching development, conserves the natural environment, and allows us to envision new ways for NDF to expand and strengthen our sharing of the dharma — bringing benefit to our sangha and our community well beyond any physical boundaries.
This is a once-in-a-lifetime and incredibly fortuitous opportunity for NDF. The swift action and trusting commitment of longtime, beloved Sangha members made the land purchase possible in the fall of 2023 within a very short, urgent timeframe, simply through word of mouth. We received some magnificently generous gifts but the majority of timely support for the purchase came in the form of loans.
You will soon hear details about our fundraising plans crafted to repay these “on-the-spot” bodhisattvas, who made this purchase possible, and to repair and renovate Wonderwell’s beloved, spacious porch.
Please start to imagine how you can assist us in our joyful endeavor to protect our Dharma vessel and prepare for its future flourishing! Stay tuned for more specifics and ideas regarding ways for you to contribute.
Opportunities
Protect our Refuge from encroaching development in perpetuity through conservation easements and efforts that remain in harmony with our Ecodharma values and vision.
Expand our Capacity: The beautiful farmhouse has room for teachers and staff, freeing up space in the main building for more retreatants. The open space will provide additional camping options.
Expand our Teaching: Dharma Teachers and Interns can be in residence in the farmhouse for extended periods providing more opportunities to enhance programming locally and online. Ecodharma and related programs will thrive here.
Nurture Connection and Community: This expansion can respond to the sangha’s frequently voiced request for solo retreat cabins and outdoor meditation spaces.
Meandering in Meditation through contemplative trails, just out the back door.
Preserve our Porch, as a front-row seat to the awareness-shifting sunsets, open sky, and grounding mountains.
Won’t you join us in co-imagining and co-creating a bright, open field of interbeing and care designed to be a refuge for our time?
Updates
Check back here for the latest updates on our progress.
In October of 2023, we announced the purchase of property and a farmhouse on land adjacent to Wonderwell. Read the initial announcement titled, “NDF Takes a Big Step to Protect the Present and Flourish in the Future“
