Margha
Vajrayana
In the practices of Vajrayana, we welcome our difficult thoughts, emotions, and physical reality as the fodder for awakening.
Ecosattva
Ecosattva Council is a process of reflection, reckoning, and listening for collective wisdom around various issues.
Dharma Dialogues
“Confronting Race and Injustice”
A year-long interview series of monthly conversations inquiring into Buddhist care and community across difference.
Natural Dharma Fellowship
Practice Groups
Most practice groups have not returned to in-person meetings at this time. Some groups are meeting online.
The Wonderwell local group is meeting in-person on Thursday evenings.
Please see below for information about each practice group (organized by onsite location). Feel free to use the contact email provided for each group to get more up-to-date information.
Cambridge Sangha (online)
The Natural Meditation Practice Group (of the Mahamudra and Dzogchen traditions) supports the ongoing deepening of students in the four aspects of natural meditation: one-pointedness, simplicity, one-taste, and non-meditation. These guided meditations, Q and A, and discussions offer an opportunity for students to find connection and support for their ongoing natural meditation.
Additional details about Cambridge Sangha:
- Meetings: Tuesdays at 7:00 PM on Zoom
- Registration: Please see the NDF Schedule of Events on our website for upcoming Tuesday Night Meditations. All registrations will be handled by Zoom via the Schedule page. Click the link on the event page to sign up through Zoom. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email from Zoom containing the meeting link. The same link will be used for all sessions. You only need to sign up once so save the link in a convenient place for future sessions.
- For additional information: Bed Hermin:
Bardo Practice Group (online)
In 2021, several beloved members of our NDF community passed away. Close friends of the deceased organized bardo practices on their behalf. Many participants expressed that these group practices were deeply moving, supportive, and rich with Dharma teachings on life, impermanence, and death, and expressed a desire to continue these practices on a regular basis.
In this spirit, we offer a weekly online Bardo/Death Practice Group and we are considering adding a Prayer Circle Group. The bardo sessions are 30 minutes long with the invitation to stay for an optional 15 minutes at the end for silent meditation.
NOTE: This group is focused on general bardo practice, and is not a 49-day practice for specific individuals. However, there will be an opportunity to honor individuals during each session.
Additional details about Bardo Practice:
- Every Thursday on Zoom alternating between 8:00 AM and 12:00 Noon Please Note: All times are Eastern time zone.
- Registration: Email us to receive Zoom details
- For more information:
- Email List: If you would like to be added to the mailing list for this practice, please fill out this Google Form.
- Bardo Practice PDF DOWNLOAD
LGBTQIA+ Affinity Group (online)
NDF’s LGBTQIA+ Affinity group is a safe place to heal and build community with people who understand and share our experience, to celebrate our diversity, to cultivate resilience, and to explore the confluence of being Buddhist and queer. LGBTQIA+ is an acronym for “Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, and Asexual” with a “+” sign to recognize the limitless sexual orientations and gender identities used by members of our community.
Started in 2020, this affinity group is guided by these group norms and agreements, including confidentiality.
Feedback or ideas about how to make NDF and Wonderwell Mountain Refuge more inclusive? Please contact NDF’s Inclusion and Equity Committee at .
Additional details:
- Meetings: Third Wednesday of each month at 7:00 pm ET
- To receive the Zoom link, please contact Tom, the meeting’s facilitator.
- Please contact Gwen for more information or with any questions about this affinity group.
- If you would like to be added to the mailing list for this affinity group, please complete this short form. Your name and email address will be held in confidence, and your email address will only be included on the “bcc” line of any group emails you receive.
Wonderwell Local Meditation Group (in-person)
Meditation on Thursday evenings in person at Wonderwell Mountain Refuge. Sessions with NDF Teachers (a guided meditation, dharma talk, Q&A) alternate with peer-led sessions (45 minutes lightly-guided meditation, followed by conversation and connection). We meet at the Farmhouse* when there is a residential retreat taking place at Wonderwell, so check the below schedule. Please join us!
Additional details about Thursdays @Wonderwell:
Meetings are held on Thursdays, 6:00–7:30 pm, in person
April 11: with Kathe McKenna, Meditation Hall
April 18: Peer-led, Meditation Hall
April 25: Peer-led, Meditation Hall
May 2: Peer-led, Farmhouse*
May 9: Peer-led, Meditation Hall
May 16: Peer-led, Farmhouse*
May 23: with David Bayer, Meditation Hall
May 30: Peer-led, Farmhouse*
*When there is a retreat taking place at Wonderwell, we will be meeting at the Farmhouse, 365 Philbrick Hill Road, the yellow house on the property just north of Wonderwell on the left.
No registration is required. Donations welcome.
For additional information and to be added to the mailing list for these sessions: Judith Coleman:
Green Tara Practice Group (online)
Green Tara is one of the most beloved deities in Vajrayana Buddhism. As the “Mother of all Buddhas,” Green Tara embodies the enlightened qualities of active compassion and is said to guide, protect, and help all sentient beings find liberation from the suffering of samsara. Because many members of our practice community feel a deep affinity with Green Tara, NDF offers a monthly Green Tara Practice Group online.
This community-led group generally meets on the third Sunday of each month from 7:00 to 8:00 pm Eastern time. Reminders and notifications will be sent to the group email list when the timing varies. Please sign up for the list below.
We practice a short form of the Green Tara Sadhana – a spiritual practice centering on Tara. This practice includes refuge, bodhicitta, and other prayers; a guided visualization of Green Tara, chanting of Green Tara’s mantra, and silent meditation.
Anyone who feels an affinity for Green Tara or who wishes to cultivate active compassion is invited to join.
Additional details about Green Tara Practice:
- For general information:
- Email list: If you would like to be added to the mailing list for this practice, SIGN UP for the Green Tara mailing list here..
- Registration: All registrations will be handled via Zoom. Click the link below to sign up. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email from Zoom containing the meeting link. The same link will be used for every session, so please keep it in a convenient location.
Other Practice Groups
ONLINE
Awakening Heart
Practice Community
Watertown, MA — Our community engages in practices that support awakening and compassionate action in the world. We are grounded in Buddhist and other wisdom traditions, inspired by the teachings of Lama John Makransky, Lama Willa Baker, Rupert Spira, and other teachers.
Our community welcomes those beginning to explore contemplative practice and experienced meditators. People of all faith traditions, as well as those who do not identify with any faith, are invited to join us.
We are currently meeting online.
- Saturdays at 10 am EST
- Mondays at 7:30 pm EST
- Wednesdays at 7 pm EST
*IN PERSON*
Greater Boston Practice Group
Watertown, MA —This group practice includes guided and silent meditation, as well as community prayer and chanting. Experienced meditation teachers guide the practice, and there will also be opportunities for peer leadership.
Initial practice leaders, Tamara Daly and Eric Brus. Both are practice leaders within both NDF and the Awakening Heart Practice Community.
If you live in or are visiting the Boston area, please join us as we bathe in the loving presence of Sangha and celebrate the Dharma in sound and silence.
The Won Buddhism community is welcoming us on a “donation basis”. Dana will be requested in gratitude for their generosity in allowing our use of their space.
**In Person**
We meet monthly on the second Sunday of each month from 7:00 – 8:30 pm.
Won Buddhism of Boston has generously offered to let our group meet at their beautiful temple at 30 California Street near Watertown Square in Watertown.
The temple is located near the hub of multiple bus lines and just off the Charles River bike trail. There is also plenty of free on-street parking.
30 California Street
Watertown, MA
(near Watertown Square)
ONLINE
Bhumisparsha
Online Only — Natural Dharma Fellowship is thrilled to co-sponsor with Bhumisparsha a monthly Chenrezig practice group led by Lama Rod Owens.
Bhumisparsha is a spiritual community co-founded by Lama Rod and Lama Justin von Budjoss whose mission is to make Tantric Buddhism more accessible to North American practitioners and to connect spiritual practice with social change.
We are currently meeting online.
CHECK THE NDF SCHEDULE PAGE FOR UPCOMING DATES
See www.bhumisparsha.org. for more details.
ONLINE
Granite State Sangha
Concord, NH — We are a small, friendly, dedicated group of meditation practitioners located in Concord, New Hampshire.
Meditation practice is led by an experienced meditation instructor or practice leader, and is followed by a CD teaching and discussion. Lama Rod Owens and other teachers/Lamas join us once a month to lead meditation and teach. There is always time for questions, comments and discussion.
We are currently meeting online.
Sundays from 9:00 – 10:00 AM
See granitestatesangha.com for more details on location in Concord or Springfield, NH
ONLINE & IN-PERSON
Great Pond Sangha @ North Parish
North Andover, MA — We practice primarily in the Natural Awareness (Dzogchen, Mahamudra) and Mahayana traditions of Tibetan Buddhism. Beginners and Newcomers are welcome. Weekly sittings are “drop-in” and free of charge.
Founded in 2004, we serve the Merrimack Valley and Essex County communities and are affiliated with North Parish Unitarian Universalist Congregation.
For zoom links and more detailed info, join our Google Group or contact
We are currently meeting online and in-person. See “Day/Time” tab for details.
Monday Tara Practices 11:30 am – 12:15 pm
- All Mondays – Zoom Only
Wednesday Guided Meditation in the Natural Awareness Tradition 7:30 – 9:00 pm
Guided meditation, discussion, dharma talk or reflections, practice instruction, Q&A, led by various teachers & practice leaders. [see schedule below]
- 1st and 3rd Wednesdays – Hybrid (in-person at North Parish in North Andover, MA and on Zoom)
- 2nd, 4th, 5th Wednesdays – Zoom only
Fridays Sitting and Walking meditation (mostly silent) 8:30 – 9:15 pm
Peer-led. Melinda and Ann are the morning meditation Dakinis who make this all happen.
- 1st, 3rd, 5th Fridays – Zoom only
- 2nd and 4th Fridays – Hybrid (in-person at North Parish in North Andover, MA and on Zoom)
- **Note that the Friday after Thanksgiving will be Zoom only!
Monday Tara Practices 11:30 am – 12:15 pm
- All Mondays – Zoom only
Wednesday Guided Meditation in the Natural Awareness Tradition 7:30 – 9:00 PM
- 1st and 3rd Wednesdays – Hybrid (in-person at North Parish in North Andover, MA and on Zoom)
- 2nd, 4th, 5th Wednesdays – Zoom only
Fridays Sitting and Walking meditation (mostly silent)
- 1st, 3rd, 5th Fridays – Zoom only
- 2nd and 4th Fridays – Hybrid (in-person at North Parish in North Andover, MA and on Zoom)
Please use contact information below to get a link for the meeting.
For Zoom links, info about other activities, and weekly news, please join our Google Group Mailing List
For more resources and information, visit the website – Great Pond Sangha @ North Andover Parish Church
ONLINE
Natural Meditation Practice Group
Brooksville, ME — This Natural Meditation Practice Group is based on traditional practice techniques of Mahamudra and Dzogchen.
We offer guided meditation and discussion as support for our personal development of Natural Awareness, Compassion, and Love. All are welcome on a drop-in basis. No prior meditation experience is required.
We are currently meeting online.
Thursdays at 6:00 PM
Reversing Falls Sanctuary
818 Bagaduce Road, Brooksville, ME
ONLINE
Philadelphia Natural Dharma Practice Group
Philadelphia, PA —We practice in the Mahamudra and Dzogchen traditions of natural awareness, including supportive practices to develop mental stability and cultivate compassion.
We host NDF teachers, including Lama Willa Miller and Brendan Kennedy to offer weekend workshops to the Philadelphia community, and organize practice days for the sangha. All are welcome, including beginners.
We are currently meeting online.
Sundays at 4:00 PM, Wednesdays at 7:30 PM
We meet at sangha members’ homes in Philadelphia and Bala Cynwyd.
ONLINE
Portland Maine Natural Meditation Practice Group
Portland, ME —This Natural Meditation Practice Group is based on traditional practice techniques of Mahamudra and Dzogchen.
We offer guided meditation and discussion as support for our personal development of Natural Awareness, Compassion, and Love. All are welcome on a drop-in basis. No prior meditation experience is required.
We are currently meeting online.
25 Middle Street, Portland, Maine
