From the shamanic lineages of South America to the Buddhist and Dzogchen traditions of Tibet, many spiritual paths have looked to the natural world as a source of liberation and insight. In the height of autumn, this residential retreat invites you to honor the deep interconnection of all living things while hiking through New Hampshire’s lakes, rivers, caves, forests, and rocky mountaintops.

Across cultures and centuries, recognizing the bond between human life, the more-than-human world, and the living earth has been a foundational practice. Meeting nature with openness can awaken clarity, deepen understanding, and remind us of our true nature and purpose.

This retreat explores the five elements not simply as material forces, but as living teachers that reflect the mind’s vast, luminous quality. Ground into the steadiness of earth, move with the flexibility of water, meet the transforming energy of fire, breathe with the openness of air, and rest in the spaciousness of space.

Please Join Us To:

Hike and meditate daily in the natural beauty of New Hampshire
Explore how the five elements can support recognition of your true nature
Experience the world as a living teacher
Deepen your sense of belonging within the greater ecology of being

Join Lama Liz and Shemaleiah in New England’s autumn splendor as we awaken to the living wisdom of earth, water, fire, air, and space. Through guided outdoor meditation, silent hiking, and contemplative observation, we will relax into a fuller integration with the natural world.

Informed by the Tibetan contemplative traditions of Dzogchen and Mahamudra, these practices reveal the inseparability of the mind’s innate clarity and the elemental world. By engaging the five elements, we come to know the interconnectedness of life and embody awareness more fully in daily living. As we remember our deep connection with nature, we also rediscover the spacious, luminous, and awake qualities already present within us.

Within this web of relationship, we see that freedom from suffering and the ability to realize our aspirations are not about escaping the human condition, but about discovering the freedom already inherent within it.

This wilderness retreat, inspired by Dzogchen and Mahamudra, uses Earth, Water, Fire, Air, and Space as gateways to recognizing who we truly are. Through mindful connection with the land, both in stillness and in motion, you will learn to rest in presence and experience the world as a living expression of mind itself. By awakening our cellular memory of primordial awareness, you return home with greater clarity, balance, and belonging within the great ecology of being.

This retreat is open to both beginners and experienced practitioners. Each morning and evening, we will gather in Wonderwell’s historic Meditation Hall for practice and teaching. Weather permitting, our days will take place outdoors in the brilliance of rural New Hampshire’s autumn landscape, extending meditation into walking, hiking, and other forms of mindful movement.

Vigorous activity is an essential part of this retreat. Participants should be prepared to hike approximately 3–5 miles each day over moderate mountainous terrain. Daily participation in the hike is expected, and alternative on-site activities will not be available.

Please note that registration is first-come, first-served. There will be no lottery this year.

Typical Retreat Schedule

(All times are Eastern time zone)

First Day — Opening session begins around 7:00 pm.

Last Day — The closing session typically ends by 12:00 pm.

These times are provided for reference only. A fuller schedule will be shared in pre-retreat information emailed during the week before the event.

Important Health Information

COVID-19 testing is no longer required. Masks are optional and encouraged for those at higher risk. If you are symptomatic, we ask that you stay home to help protect others.

Scholarships

Natural Dharma Fellowship is committed to making retreats more inclusive and accessible. If the full retreat cost would create a financial burden, we encourage you to apply for a scholarship. Please visit the website page for more information 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 us.

Cancellation Policy

We understand that personal circumstances may require cancellation. In those cases, please contact us right away. Because cancellations affect room availability for others and create additional administrative work, the following fees apply:

> 45 days: 100% refund minus a $75 admin fee
31–45 days: 50% refund of the required deposit; or 75% refund if registered and 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.

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