5.0
Verified
Living with Ease
Wonderful experience.
The Gift of Writing: Introspection and Self-Reflection
Deryk's Staff Pick
Top Rated
The Gift of Writing: Introspection and Self-Reflection
4.95262 reviews
December 11 - 13, 2026
About this Retreat
Your Guides
Cynthia Cummins has led Wild Heart Writing workshops for 15 years in an array of settings, including SF Zen Center, Tassajara Zen Mountain Center, Green Gulch Farm, SF YMCA and Shasta Yoga.
Visit https://www.wildheartwriting.org/ to learn more.
Details of this retreat
A winter retreat to help you turn inward, self-reflect, and express yourself with ease.
As winter solstice approaches, we gather in stillness and allow quiet presence to lead us back to ourselves. In this Wild Heart Writing retreat, we begin by invoking the muse, releasing expectations and setting aside our inner critics. Clear, compelling writing follows, seemingly without effort.
Through fresh, provocative prompts and timed exercises, we loosen our unique creativity. Words surface, memories return and stories emerge. We read aloud in an inspiring, supportive circle — no critique, only encouragement. This practice can serve as a meditation, a window to the words within, or a way to rekindle any stalled writing project.
No experience is needed, only a pen, a notebook, and a willingness to play and listen to your inner voice.
Please keep in mind: We will write by hand on pen and paper, not with the use of a keyboard or electronic device.
Retreat Schedule (Subject to change):
FRIDAY
3 pm Check-in
5:30 Dinner
7 pm Opening Circle
SATURDAY
7 am Meditation
8 am Breakfast
9:30-11:45 am Writing Circle
12:15 Lunch
3-5 pm Writing Circle
5:30 Dinner
7 pm Reading Circle
SUNDAY
7 am Meditation
8-9:30 am Writing Circle
10 am Brunch
11-11:30 am Closing Circle
12pm Checkout
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
Payments are nonrefundable and transferable to a future Ratna Ling stay or retreat
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.
Vegetarian meals are served during our weekend together.
What people are saying about our retreats:
“The accommodations were great along with the beautiful surroundings - everything was so peaceful and nurturing”
“It was exactly what I needed – to disconnect, get in tune with my soul and recharge my spirit.”
“It was exactly what I needed - to disconnect, get in tune with my soul and recharge my spirit. ."
“Space for reflection while also giving me anchor points through teachings.
“Space and time for meditation and movement classes were truly wonderful.”
“Being able to move at my own pace is a luxury. And of course the food was delicious."
As winter solstice approaches, we gather in stillness and allow quiet presence to lead us back to ourselves. In this Wild Heart Writing retreat, we begin by invoking the muse, releasing expectations and setting aside our inner critics. Clear, compelling writing follows, seemingly without effort.
Through fresh, provocative prompts and timed exercises, we loosen our unique creativity. Words surface, memories return and stories emerge. We read aloud in an inspiring, supportive circle — no critique, only encouragement. This practice can serve as a meditation, a window to the words within, or a way to rekindle any stalled writing project.
No experience is needed, only a pen, a notebook, and a willingness to play and listen to your inner voice.
Please keep in mind: We will write by hand on pen and paper, not with the use of a keyboard or electronic device.
Retreat Schedule (Subject to change):
FRIDAY
3 pm Check-in
5:30 Dinner
7 pm Opening Circle
SATURDAY
7 am Meditation
8 am Breakfast
9:30-11:45 am Writing Circle
12:15 Lunch
3-5 pm Writing Circle
5:30 Dinner
7 pm Reading Circle
SUNDAY
7 am Meditation
8-9:30 am Writing Circle
10 am Brunch
11-11:30 am Closing Circle
12pm Checkout
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
Payments are nonrefundable and transferable to a future Ratna Ling stay or retreat
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.
Vegetarian meals are served during our weekend together.
What people are saying about our retreats:
“The accommodations were great along with the beautiful surroundings - everything was so peaceful and nurturing”
“It was exactly what I needed – to disconnect, get in tune with my soul and recharge my spirit.”
“It was exactly what I needed - to disconnect, get in tune with my soul and recharge my spirit. ."
“Space for reflection while also giving me anchor points through teachings.
“Space and time for meditation and movement classes were truly wonderful.”
“Being able to move at my own pace is a luxury. And of course the food was delicious."
Getting Here
Directions
San Francisco International and Oakland International airports are approximately three hours south of Ratna Ling by car. Alaska Airlines flies to and from Sonoma County Airport in Santa Rosa which is approximately 1.5 hours from Ratna Ling by car. Unfortunately, there are no shuttles that bring you directly to Ratna Ling, so it is best to rent a car or email us to support in coordinating a carpool with fellow retreatants.
Accommodation
14 guest cottages on 120 acres of property. Each spacious, quiet cottage has 2 private rooms, with high ceilings and a deck with a view. Cottages include jet tubs (or ADA shower), towels, deluxe linens, refrigerator, tea kettle, coffee/tea, kitchen sink/counter, diningware, dining table, and living room with a stove fireplace. Free wifi available and a landline telephone. Guests can choose to have an exclusive cottage for ONE person; a private room for ONE person in a SHARED cottage; or a cottage for TWO people. Any additional guest after TWO is $100 per person per night. Meals and classes included.
For 1 guest in Private Room, Shared Cottage
Venue & Amenities
A/C in Rooms
Free Wifi
Spa
Sauna
Pool
Towels
Free Parking
Kitchen
Tour Assistance
Hot Tub
Coffee/Tea
Cafe
Restaurant
Fitness Center
Yoga Studio
Housekeeping
Bicycles For Rent
Three miles from the beautiful Sonoma coast. Organic, vegetarian meals. 120 acres of redwoods, canyons, reservoirs, and wildlife. Sacred architecture timber cottages and communal spaces. Featured stupas, gardens, and temple empowered by Tibetan Buddhist Lama Tarthang Tulku Rinpoche.
Meals
Menu Types
Vegan
Vegetarian
Pescetarian
Ayurvedic
Includes Meat
Organic
Gluten Free
Dairy Free
Nut Free
All of our meals are organic and vegetarian, made with love and care.
We provide homemade yogurt and granola for breakfast. Lunches and dinners always include salads or salad bar. Each meal is self-served on a buffet table.
Customer Reviews
Verified
5.0
Verified
Here and Now Retreat
Accommodations were fantastic. Everything was clean and organized and well appointed. There was plenty of space to relax, find solitude, and connect with others. The food was delicious and plentiful and the staff were welcoming, approachable, and accommodating.
5.0
Verified
Solitude
I've never been at a place that offers the kind of solitude that Ratna Ling provides. The accommodations are superb, everything is taken care of and the spaciousness is extraordinary!
5.0
Verified
A fantastic place to participant in and host retreats!
I have been to Ratna Ling as a participant and two-time retreat facilitator. It is a fantastic place to participate and also host retreats! The setting is beautiful, the volunteer staff are kind, the food is healthy and delicious, and the yoga room is stunning. As a retreat facilitator, Ratna Ling makes it easy for you and handles the administrative parts so you can focus on what you do best. I look forward to hosting more retreats here in the future.
5.0
Verified
Wonderful experience
I found the retreat site to be a particularly beautiful space to be- to reflect, restore and grow. The grounds are really gorgeous, cabins are well constructed and everything is so well cared for. The accommodations are simple yet feel luxurious. The food was delicious and thoughtfully prepared. The yoga practice room is spacious and comfortable. The volunteers on site are helpful and generous. I would be eager to return again.
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