Margha
Vajrayana
In the practices of Vajrayana, we welcome our difficult thoughts, emotions, and physical reality as the fodder for awakening.
EcoDharma
Ecosattva Council is a process of reflection, reckoning, and listening for collective wisdom around various issues.
Natural Dharma Fellowship
Practice Groups
Practice groups are meeting both in-person and online.
Please see below for information about each practice group.
Feel free to use the contact email provided for each group to get 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)
Bardo Practices are a unique resource for those who are in the midst of grief for loved ones recently deceased or for those facing death. They offer support to the recently deceased in transitioning through the bardo of death and provide a container for navigating grief, loss, pain, and impermanence. The liturgy used in our weekly practice as arranged and adapted by our Lama Willa from the Tibetan Book of the Dead, liberates fear and is a pathway to the recognition of wisdom.
The bardo sessions are 30 minutes long and open with an opportunity to honor deceased individuals. Each session offers opportunities for participants to lead sections of the liturgy if they desire. We also invite you to stay for an optional 15 minutes of silent meditation at the end. NOTE: This group is focused on general bardo practice and is not a 49-day practice for specific individuals.
Many participants express that these group practices and being in Sangha are deeply moving and supportive and illuminate the teachings of the Buddha through direct experience. To submit the name of a recently deceased loved one, or if you have questions or concerns, please reach out via the link below.
OUR NEW OFFERING, starting January 12, 2025, at 7:00 PM ET, is a bereavement mandala, a place for Sangha to come together with our skillful means of compassionate speech and listening, recognizing that the end of life comes to us all. Future sessions will be on the second Sunday of each month.
Our goal is to have open-hearted conversations about death, informed by Buddhist wisdom. PLEASE NOTE: none of us are trauma or grief counselors.
This time is for discussion and listening, based on a desire to face our deepest fears and sorrows together. We hope that participants will experience clearly how sangha empowers individuals to face the end of life and to continually recognize the wisdom of non-attachment, even in confusion and grief.
Additional details about Bardo Practice:
- Schedule – Every Thursday on Zoom alternating between 8:00 AM and 12:00 Noon Please Note: All times are Eastern time zone – DOWNLOAD SCHEDULE
- Registration & Information –
- Bardo Mailing List – Please fill out this Google Form.
- Bardo Practice Text – DOWNLOAD PDF
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)
All are welcome as we gather on on Thursday evenings for meditation sessions in person at Wonderwell Mountain Refuge, usually led by an NDF Meditation Teacher. 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
January 2: Holiday break, no session
January 9: Judith Coleman, at Wonderwell
January 16: Greg Bruss, at Farmhouse*
January 23: Jeff Sullivan, at Wonderwell
January 30: Kathe McKenna, at Wonderwell
February 6: Andrea Redican, at Wonderwell
February 13: Jeff Sullivan, at Farmhouse*
February 20: David Bayer, at Farmhouse*
February 27: Judith Coleman, at Wonderwell
*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: Barbara Pontier: .
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
Online Only — 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 Blythe 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.
All meetings are online.
- Saturdays at 10 am EST
- Mondays at 7:30 pm EST
- Wednesdays at 7 pm EST
All meetings are online. Links for the meetings are available on the website listed below.
*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 — 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.
Visit the Bhumisparhsa website for schedule.
Virtual meetings on Zoom.
See www.bhumisparsha.org for more details.
ONLINE
Granite State Sangha
Concord, NH — We are a small, friendly, dedicated group of meditation practitioners. We meet via Zoom because some members live in New Hampshire, but others live out of state. Meditation practice is led by an experienced meditation instructor or practice leader, and is followed by group discussion. All are welcome
Online meetings
Sundays, 9:00—10:00 AM
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 Greater Boston and Southern NH communities and are affiliated with North Parish Unitarian Universalist Congregation in North Andover, MA.
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.
Wednesday, 7:30—9:00 pm
Meditation in the Natural Awareness Tradition
Guided meditation, discussion, dharma talk or reflections, practice instruction, Q&A, led by various teachers & practice leaders.
- 1st and 3rd Wednesdays – Hybrid (in-person at North Parish in North Andover, MA and on Zoom)
- 2nd, 4th, 5th Wednesdays – Zoom only
Fridays, 8:30—9:15 am
Sitting and Walking meditation (mostly silent)
Peer-led. Zoom only
Wednesday ,7:30 – 9:00 pm
Guided Meditation in the Natural Awareness Tradition
- 1st and 3rd Wednesdays – Hybrid (in-person at North Parish in North Andover, MA and on Zoom)
- 2nd, 4th, 5th Wednesdays – Zoom only
Fridays 8:30 am
Sitting and Walking meditation (mostly silent),
- Zoom only
Please use contact information below to get a link for the meeting.
190 Academy Road
North Andover, MA
For Zoom links, info about other activities, and monthly news, please join our Google Group Mailing List.
For additional information you may contact:
For more resources and information, visit the website – Great Pond Sangha @ North Andover Parish Church
ONLINE & IN-PERSON
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.
Online and in person (see Meeting Location below).
Thursdays at 6:00 PM
Virtual meetings on Zoom during the cold-weather months. We are hoping to meet several times a month in the summer at Reversing Fall Sanctuary with the option to attend by Zoom. Please use contact information below for more information or to get a link for the meeting.
Reversing Falls Sanctuary
818 Bagaduce Road, Brooksville, ME
ONLINE & IN-PERSON
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 to offer weekend workshops to the Philadelphia community, and organize practice days for the sangha. All are welcome, including beginners.
We meet online and in person.
Sundays at 7:00 pm, in person and online.
Tuesdays at 8:00 am, online only.
We meet online and in sangha members’ homes in Northwest Philadelphia. Please contact Gina (see below) for locations and Zoom links.
We meet at sangha members’ homes in Northwest Philadelphia.
ONLINE & IN-PERSON
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.
Online on the third Thursday of the month. Hybrid on the second and fourth Thursdays. (There is sometimes some variation to this, so please check.)
The last three Thursdays of the month, 5:45–6:45 PM
In-person meetings at 130 Morning Street, Portland, ME.
Please use contact information below to inquire about either option.
130 Morning Street, Unit 2A
Portland, Maine 04101
