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Top Rated iconTop Rated

The Gift of Writing: Introspection and Self-Reflection

Location icon
35755 Hauser Bridge Rd. Cazadero, CA 95421 United States
Date
December 11 - 13, 2026

About this Retreat

Your Guides

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."

Getting Here

Location icon Ratna Ling Retreat Center, 35755 Hauser Bridge Rd. Cazadero, CA 95421 United States

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 icon A/C in Rooms
Free Wifi icon Free Wifi
Spa icon Spa
Sauna icon Sauna
Pool icon Pool
Towels icon Towels
Free Parking icon Free Parking
Kitchen icon Kitchen
Tour Assistance icon Tour Assistance
Hot Tub icon Hot Tub
Coffee/Tea icon Coffee/Tea
Cafe icon Cafe
Restaurant icon Restaurant
Fitness Center icon Fitness Center
Yoga Studio icon Yoga Studio
Housekeeping icon Housekeeping
Bicycles For Rent icon 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

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

4.95 out of 5.0 average rating

5.0
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Best retreat center EVER!!
This is my second visit to Ratna Ling. The first was last year for a yoga retreat. This year I went for a Tibetan Buddhist teaching retreat. They were ncredible experiences! The accomodations are exceptionally spacious, the grounds are beautiful, the volunteers are kind, considerate and take care of everything seamlessly! The food is exceptional!
The new yoga student is gorgeous with floor to ceiling windows looking out over a tree filled valley. Would love to come here for a longer weeklong retreat! It is such a lovely location with gorgeous facilities.

Thank you!
Neelam S

5.0
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Kum Nye Tibetan Yoga classes
I signed up for a 5 day morning kum nye online class with Ratna Ling and had a wonderful experience. It was my first time experiencing this style of yoga and i appreciated the simplicity of its movements, Its inward focus , its gentleness and its effectiveness. It was both relaxing and uplifting at the same time. Karmyn created a warm, safe, and encouraging environment. Thank you for this offering.

5.0
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A Weekend of Peace
Ratna Ling is a spot of bliss in the middle of nowhere. The accommodations were lovely: beautiful wood work, comfy beds, mini fridge, gorgeous view from the window. From the cooks to the managers, everyone on the staff treated us with warmth and kindness. Although they request shoes off inside, they were totally OK with me leaving mine on my difficult feet. George's guided meditation and tour of the on-site temple matched the varied needs of the group, no easy feat. He answered all of our questions; there was no hesitation to discuss religious skepticism and no question was offensive. The vegetarian food was plentiful and delicious; I came away wanting recipes. Even without the themed retreat, just spending time at Ratna Ling would be the ultimate relaxation, getting in touch with nature, unplugging from the crazy world, and feeling renewed.

5.0
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10 outta 10 recommend!
Grounds: stunning.
Vibe: chill.
Accommodations: top notch.
Food: should win a Nobel Peace Prize.
Staff: People you want to know more about.
Forest: magical.
Bottom line: just pull the trigger.

5.0
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Peace and Kindness
A retreat at Ratna Ling is a special treat and refuge. The sacred grounds are exceptionally beautiful and everyone on the property is kind - really. We especially appreciate the retreats by the Ratna Ling faculty who live the values of the Buddhist tradition, but create meaningful programs bringing this wisdom tradition to every day life!

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