Brisbane Meditation Retreats

If you are seeking a retreat from the bustling energy of Brisbane, Ratna Ling invites you to rediscover your center among our tranquil landscapes. We offer more than just a getaway; we provide a dedicated environment for personal growth and mental restoration. Surrounded by majestic trees and open skies, you can engage in a journey of self-discovery led by experienced guides. Leave the demands of the Bay Area behind and immerse yourself in a setting designed for quiet reflection, profound relaxation, and a revitalized spirit.

Calming the Mind: A Meditation Retreat

With George Wiegand and Karmyn Ojeda

September 17 - 20, 2026
For those interested in deepening their Meditation practice, Ratna Ling has designed three annual retreats for folks at different stages of the meditation path. This retreat is designed for those who seek more calmness and stability in the mind.

Re-Vision: Sonoma County Writers Camp

With Elizabeth Stark and Ellen Sussman

September 23 - 27, 2026
This camp will show you how to let the story teach you its secrets. We will begin by assessing what you’ve got–what’s evolved on the page. By discerning what your story wants to be, you will be able to build on what you’ve achieved.

Cultivating Compassion – A movement and meditation weekend

With Gretchen Donovan

October 2 - 4, 2026
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.

Elevate Your Essence: Yoga & Meditation Retreat

With Bex Urban

October 23 - 25, 2026
Practice peace with yoga poses and an intentional pause with Meditation. In this retreat we welcome back Master Teacher Bex Urban for a special yoga retreat at Ratna Ling! Take this mindful "time out” and step away from the distractions of your daily life to re-initiate yourself into more stillness.

The Inner Landscape: A Meditation Retreat in Nature

With Maria Helena Kubrusly

October 23 - 25, 2026
During this retreat, aligning the abundant natural beauty of Ratna Ling with Tibetan yoga exercises, meditation, and practices, you will learn to relax the body and open the senses. Let Nature teach you more about who you really are, and who you can be.  You can experience the interconnectedness of all existence.

The Art of Loss: Letting Go with Grace

With Gloria Baraquio and Lydia Hwang

October 30 - November 1, 2026
Join us for a weekend to make space for our grief, our loss, and our endings. We will use relaxation practices, reflection, ritual and celebration to honor the changes, endings, and the truth of new beginnings.

Begin Again: A weekend retreat

With Yvonne Kingsley

November 6 - 8, 2026
Join Yvonne Kingsley for a peaceful weekend of yoga and meditation as we slow down and surrender to the present moment. Through the alchemy of mindful movement, breath work and contemplation, we expand our capacity to meet the present moment with curiosity and equanimity.

Joy & Appreciation – A Thanksgiving Retreat

With George Wiegand and Karmyn Ojeda

November 27 - 29, 2026
For this special retreat, we are offering a sliding scale to allow you to give what you can. We hope you can join us! This Thanksgiving retreat is offered as a way to support folks who need some peace and quiet during this holiday. We invite you to take a sacred pause, to sit, to lay down, to be in nature, to meditate, and to come back to center.

Wintering – A relaxation retreat

With Clare Buckley

December 4 - 6, 2026
Join Senior Yoga Teacher Clare Buckley in the serene and beautiful setting of Ratna Ling and awaken to the experience of holistic wellbeing. In the serene and beautiful setting of Ratna Ling, we will explore embodied movement, breath work, energy work, meditation and mindful practices to deeply nourish energy pathways and to restore balance and equanimity.

The Gift of Writing: Introspection and Self-Reflection

With Cynthia Cummins

December 11 - 13, 2026
Book now and get $100.00 off listed prices. Offer valid until Sep 11, 2026.
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.

Soul Retrieval Inner Retreat

With Sarah Koh

December 18 - 20, 2026
This inner retreat creates the space to truly slow down, listen inward, and reconnect with the quiet wisdom of your heart and body. What is your soul asking for? What is ready to emerge? What is ready to come to resolution and heal, allowing you to move forward with clarity? Through deep rest, unwinding, and intentional practices, you will create space to turn inward and reconnect with the deeper layers of yourself. As the body…

Starting Anew – A Mindfulness Retreat for the New Year

With Maria Helena Kubrusly

January 8 - 10, 2027
Imagine this coming new year how you want to show up for yourself, your loved ones, and your coworkers. Through meditation, you become more aware of the patterns that drive and motivate your actions. This January retreat is designed for you to get to know yourself better and consider how you want your next year to unfold.

Flow & Steep: A Qigong and Tea Retreat

With Dr. Cynthia Li, Daniela Cubelic and Pavi Mehta

February 19 - 21, 2027
Book now and get $100.00 off listed prices. Offer valid until Nov 20, 2026.
Rooted in qigong — one of China's oldest contemplative healing traditions — this retreat weaves together gentle movement, breath, visualization, sound, and stillness into a living practice.

Finding Emotional Health: A wellness retreat

With Helena Gold

March 4 - 7, 2027
Emotions are a natural part of being human—but when they feel overwhelming, they can leave us feeling ungrounded, reactive, or exhausted. Whether you find yourself caught in cycles of anxiety, anger, disappointment, grief, or emotions you can't quite name, this retreat offers a gentle path toward greater balance and ease. Together, we'll explore emotional wellness through meditation, mindful movement, reflection, and contemplative practices that help you understand the wisdom your emotions hold. Rather than resisting…

Nourish & Replenish: A Spring Yoga Weekend

With Leila Swenson

April 9 - 11, 2027
This Spring, awaken within and celebrate the vibrancy of renewal, hope, transformation, and growth with Leila Swenson... Join us for an invigorating and relaxing yoga retreat weekend in the stunning and magnificent coastal redwoods... An invitation to step away from the demands of daily life and enjoy space for self-inquiry, practice, community, and reflection!

MEDITATION RETREATS NEAR BRISBANE, CALIFORNIA FAQ’s

Our meditation retreats are designed to provide a restful sanctuary for insight, quietude, and meaningful self-care. During your visit, you will have the opportunity to:

  • Settle Into a Calmer Rhythm: Step away from the fast-paced energy of the Brisbane area and embrace the profound stillness of the forest. The natural landscape allows your mind to naturally soften and find rest.

  • Strengthen Your Foundation in Mindfulness: Practice time-honored techniques that improve your focus and help you stay grounded in the present moment.

  • Reconnect with What Matters: The peaceful atmosphere offers a rare chance for reflection, allowing you to realign with your true intentions and inner self.

  • Let the Forest Support Your Healing: Immerse yourself in the redwoods and fresh air, creating a natural environment that encourages emotional clarity and stability.

  • Nourish Your Body and Mind: Enjoy wholesome, plant-based meals prepared with care to support both your physical energy and your meditative practice.

  • Practice Awareness in Every Movement: Learn to bring mindfulness into your daily life by practicing awareness during simple acts like walking, eating, and resting.

  • Find Comfort in a Quiet Community: Experience the gentle support of being around others who are also dedicated to a path of inner peace and presence.

  • Create Space for Personal Transformation: By stepping out of your usual routine, you allow for new perspectives to emerge and old habits to release, making room for genuine renewal.

At Ratna Ling, your retreat is a unique invitation to slow down and rediscover a deep, lasting connection with yourself.

We warmly welcome visitors from the Brisbane area who are just beginning their journey. Our retreats are designed to be accessible and supportive for every level of experience.

  • Clear and Simple Guidance: Our instructors explain meditation in plain language, ensuring that those new to the practice feel comfortable and included right away.

  • A Gentle Environment: Whether you are sitting for the first time or returning after years away, you will find an atmosphere of total patience and kindness.

  • Foundational Skills: We focus on practical techniques—like breath awareness and grounding—that help quiet the mind and relax the body without feeling overwhelmed.

  • Learning in Good Company: You’ll likely find that many other guests are also beginners, creating a relaxed, pressure-free space to learn together.

  • A Start-to-Finish Support System: From nourishing meals to a balanced schedule, every part of the stay is meant to help you begin your practice with confidence.

  • Sun Protection: Hat, sun block, sunglasses, breathable long-sleeved shirts, etc.
  • Rain gear, umbrella and good sturdy shoes during the rainy season
  • Appropriate outerwear for the season
  • Yoga clothes or clothes that allow you to move freely
  • Flashlight (it can get extremely dark outside at night and there is very limited outdoor lighting)
  • Water bottle
  • Alarm clock
  • Slip-on shoes or slippers for indoors
  • Insect repellent for summer retreats
  • Personal hygiene items such as your favorite shampoo, moisturizer, toothbrush/paste, soap etc. (Towels, bedding, shampoo and hand-soap is provided)
  • Calling cards for international calls. Domestic calls are complimentary.
  • Meal service is provided, however, you are welcome to bring additional snacks and beverages into your cottage.

Preparing for a retreat in the redwoods is mostly about prioritizing your physical comfort so your mind can remain at ease.

  • Prioritize Comfort: We encourage “mountain casual”—bring your favorite soft sweaters, loose trousers, and cozy layers that allow you to sit and move freely.

  • Dress for the Forest: The air beneath the trees can be cool even on bright days; bringing a warm jacket and a few extra layers will keep you comfortable as the temperature shifts.

  • Indoor Essentials: Since we keep our practice spaces clean and serene, please bring a pair of warm socks or indoor slippers to wear inside.

  • Sturdy Footwear: For walks along our wooded trails or moving between your cottage and the hall, a pair of reliable walking shoes is essential.

Each retreat has a set price that supports your lodging, nourishing vegetarian meals, and the guidance provided by our dedicated instructors. Costs differ depending on the retreat theme, length of stay, and lodging style.

Select any retreat listed above to see full pricing details, inclusions, and special features. Every program is designed to provide a meaningful, supportive experience that nourishes both mind and heart.

Guests often discover:

  • A Calmer, More Centered Mind: Experience a significant decrease in mental chatter, allowing for better concentration and focus.

  • Reduced Emotional Tension: A noticeable softening of the stress and pressure that often come with life in the Bay Area.

  • Sharper Clarity and Restful Sleep: As the nervous system settles, many find that their thinking clears and their sleep becomes deeper and more restorative.

  • A Refreshed Sense of Direction: Stepping back allows you to reconnect with your personal goals and find a renewed feeling of purpose.

  • A Digital Detox: Enjoy a much-needed reprieve from the endless cycle of notifications, emails, and screen time.

  • The Restorative Power of the Forest: Let the clean air and the presence of the redwoods naturally soothe and stabilize your mood.

  • A Warm, Low-Pressure Connection: Feel the quiet encouragement of being in a space with others who value peace and mindfulness.