Marin City Meditation Retreats

Step outside the fast pace of Marin City and into the calming, restorative atmosphere of Ratna Ling. Surrounded by towering redwoods and expansive natural beauty, our retreat center offers a peaceful refuge where you can pause, breathe, and reconnect with your inner self. Whether you’re beginning your meditation practice or looking to explore it more deeply, our teachers and serene surroundings support you in slowing down, grounding yourself, and finding clarity. Experience spaciousness, presence, and renewed balance in the quiet of nature.

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 Marin City, CALIFORNIA FAQ’s

Our meditation retreats are thoughtfully crafted to encourage rest, insight, and emotional ease. Throughout your stay, you will be invited to:

Ease Into Stillness

Leave the noise and busyness behind and settle into the soft quiet of our forest sanctuary. The natural setting encourages deep relaxation.

Strengthen Your Meditation Practice

With guidance rooted in mindfulness and meaningful wisdom traditions, you’ll learn techniques that help cultivate grounded attention and calm awareness.

Reconnect With Your Inner World

Our peaceful environment creates space for self-reflection and realignment with your deeper intentions and values.

Let Nature Guide You

The surrounding redwoods, trails, and open sky naturally support clarity, emotional balance, and inner steadiness.

Nourish Body and Mind

Enjoy wholesome vegetarian meals prepared to support your physical well-being and your retreat experience.

Practice Mindfulness Throughout the Day

Experience presence not only in formal meditation periods but also in simple daily actions—walking, breathing, eating, and resting.

Share Quiet Community

Being in a calm, supportive environment with others on a similar journey fosters a gentle sense of connection, even in silence.

Invite Personal Transformation

With space and stillness, insights become clearer, allowing you to release old patterns and welcome new perspectives.

A retreat at Ratna Ling gives you the invaluable gift of time—time to restore, reflect, and reconnect.

Yes — Marin City residents who are completely new to meditation are fully supported.

Gentle, Accessible Instruction

Our teachers introduce meditation step-by-step, offering simple practices that help you feel at ease from the start.

A Calm, Encouraging Space

There is no pressure here. Whether it’s your first retreat or you’re returning to meditation, you’ll be guided with patience and warmth.

Beginner-Friendly Practices

Sessions may include breath awareness, grounding exercises, gentle mindfulness, and short periods of quiet reflection.

Small Group Setting

With smaller groups, there is room to learn at your own pace and ask questions comfortably.

Holistic Support

Time in nature, nourishing meals, and spacious rest periods create a well-balanced environment for your retreat.

A Community of Fellow Beginners

Many guests are new to meditation as well, helping the retreat feel approachable, welcoming, and supportive.

Meditation is a practice anyone can begin—our retreats make that first step gentle and inviting.

  • 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.

To help maintain a peaceful and respectful atmosphere, we ask guests to wear modest, comfortable clothing. Please avoid overly revealing outfits or garments with bold, loud, or inappropriate graphics. Simple, soft layers help everyone feel relaxed and at ease in the shared retreat space.

Retreat tuition supports our center, including nourishing meals, private lodging, and guidance from our experienced instructors. Costs vary based on the retreat theme, accommodations, and length of stay.

To see full pricing details, inclusions, and retreat features, simply select the program from the list above. Each retreat is crafted to be meaningful, restorative, and deeply supportive—an investment in your inner well-being.

Guests often leave with:

  • A calmer mind and less stress

  • Improved clarity, focus, and emotional steadiness

  • Better sleep and deeper rest

  • A renewed sense of direction

  • Time away from screens and constant stimulation

  • Peaceful time in nature

  • Gentle community connection

Many people describe carrying a sense of steadiness and peace long after the retreat has ended.