Cultivating Compassion - A movement and meditation weekend

We are honored to have Gretchen Donovan of San Diego back as a guest teacher at Ratna Ling! Choose a 2 or 3-night option.
What if you could use your emotions wisely? What if you could make friends with feelings such as anger, sadness, envy or pride?
This weekend retreat offers a supportive space to explore the nature of emotions through meditation, gentle yoga, and subtle energy movement, all grounded in Buddhist philosophy. Negative emotions are considered the mind’s poisons—an experience that can cloud perception, harden the heart, and obscure joy, like a veil of dark smoke. Through mindful inquiry and embodied practice, we will explore how meeting these difficult feelings with understanding rather than resistance allows them to be transformed into wisdom.
The retreat will include seated meditation, gentle and accessible yoga, and subtle energy practices designed to soften the body, calm the nervous system, and cultivate clarity. In addition, there will be two guided sessions of Feeding Your Demons, the Five-Step Process created by Lama Tsultrim Allione. In this tradition, a “demon” is understood as anything that obstructs the achievement of freedom. As Lama Tsultrim teaches, there is no greater devil than fixation on a solid self; until this ego-fixation is severed, all other demons wait with open mouths. Through this skillful method, participants are invited to meet inner obstacles with compassion, awareness, and courage, opening the way toward greater freedom, insight, and joy.
**Optional Thursday arrival: intimate gathering of community, walking the grounds, morning meditation and poetry reading. 


To learn more about Gretchen, visit Sila Yoga.

 
Schedule (subject to change)
FRIDAY

3-4:00pm: Check-in
4:30 pm: Welcome and Introductions
5:30pm: Dinner
7:00pm: Guided Practice

SATURDAY

7:00am: Skygazing and noble silence
8:00am Breakfast
9:30am  Teachings
10:45am  Gentle Yoga
Break
11:00am  Teachings/ Art and Mandala offerings
12:15pm  Lunch
2:00pm Gentle yoga
4:30pm Teaching
5:30pm  Dinner
7:00pm Dance Party & Evening Council

SUNDAY


7:00 am Skygazing and Noble Silence
8:00am   Gentle yoga and Closing circle
10am     Brunch
12noon  Checkout and Farewell

For directions to Ratna Ling - Ratna Ling Retreat Center 35755 Hauser Bridge Rd Cazadero, CA 95421
Accommodations are beautiful lux cabins



ADDITIONAL DETAILS

Transportation to/from Ratna Ling is NOT included - carpooling encouraged
All bookings are NON-REFUNDABLE. Should you wish to cancel your stay with us, Ratna Ling Retreat Center requires 30 days' notice for a full credit to be TRANSFERRED to a future retreat within 1 year of original booking.
Each cottage includes TWO private rooms with queen beds, large dining & living area, gas fireplace,
spacious deck, jacuzzi tub, linens/towels/hand soap, kitchenette with tea & coffee, complimentary wireless internet. Towels and hand soap are provided.
vegetarian meals are served during our weekend together.

What people are saying about Gretchen's retreats:



“Gretchen Donovan is an amazing soul who shines on everyone and make them feel special.  The circle sharing ceremony not he last night ... helped me in so many ways..”
“It was a much needed reset to get back to who I am. The teachings were amazing and east for a newcomer  to understand. The meditations were new to me and something I will practice at home." 
“I loved having time to myself to reflect on my life and where I am going. Thank you Ratna Ling."


“I liked Gretchen's expert guidance, connection with others, learning more about the mandala and associated practices.”
“Good info, good pace, well planned and executed with spontaneous bouts of unexpected joy.”
“Being able to move at my own pace is a luxury. And of course the food was delicious."