Palo Alto Meditation Retreats

Leave behind the busy energy of Palo Alto and immerse yourself in the tranquility of a meditation retreat at Ratna Ling, a 2-3 hour drive up Highway 101. Surrounded by towering redwoods and the beauty of Northern California’s landscapes, our retreat center offers a peaceful haven for contemplation, mindfulness, and renewal. Whether you are beginning your meditation journey or seeking to expand your practice, our skilled guidance and serene setting create the ideal space to slow down, restore balance, and reconnect with yourself. Find stillness, clarity, and inspiration in nature’s embrace at Ratna Ling.

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 Palo Alto, CALIFORNIA FAQ’s

Meditation retreats at Ratna Ling are designed to offer a restorative and uplifting journey, supporting emotional clarity, inner peace, and spiritual growth. Each program is thoughtfully crafted to help you:

Find Peace and Stillness – Step away from daily pressures and settle into the serene embrace of our redwood forest sanctuary, where nature invites you to slow down, breathe deeply, and rest in stillness.

Strengthen Your Meditation Practice – Whether you are beginning or advancing your skills, our experienced teachers guide you with techniques rooted in mindfulness and ancient wisdom to build focus, presence, and awareness.

Reconnect with Yourself – Use this time to reflect, recharge, and align with what truly matters, supported by an environment that encourages self discovery and personal renewal.

Let Nature Support Your Healing – The beauty and calm of Northern California’s redwoods create the perfect backdrop for balance, emotional well being, and deep inner work.

Nourish Your Body and Mind – Enjoy fresh, wholesome meals prepared to complement your meditation practice and overall health.

Live Mindfully Every Day – Learn how to bring awareness into daily life, from walking among the trees to savoring each bite of a meal or resting with intention.

Connect Through Shared Silence – Experience the unique bond of being among others on a similar path, united by presence rather than words.

Foster Personal Transformation – Through quiet reflection and self awareness, release old patterns and open space for clarity and growth.

At Ratna Ling, a meditation retreat is a true gift of time—a chance to pause, look within, and rediscover a deeper sense of peace and purpose.

 

 

Our Palo Alto meditation retreats at Ratna Ling welcome participants of all experience levels, including those brand new to the practice. We create a warm and approachable environment so beginners can feel comfortable and supported from the start.

Clear, Gentle Instruction – Our skilled teachers break down meditation into simple, manageable steps, offering guided sessions that make it easy to follow along and build confidence.

Supportive Atmosphere – The retreat space is designed for calm and openness, allowing you to slow down, breathe, and explore meditation without any pressure or expectation.

Beginner-Friendly Practices – Sessions focus on accessible techniques like breath awareness, body scans, and basic mindfulness, helping you settle the mind and connect with the present moment.

Personalized Attention – Smaller group sizes mean more opportunities to ask questions, receive feedback, and progress at your own pace.

Whole-Self Experience – Beyond sitting meditation, you’ll enjoy nourishing meals, time in nature, and mindfulness activities that nurture both body and mind.

Shared Learning – Many attendees are also new to meditation, creating a sense of understanding and camaraderie as you learn together.

At Ratna Ling, we believe meditation is for everyone. Our retreats offer an inviting gateway to the practice, giving you the tools, space, and guidance to begin your inner journey with confidence and ease.

 

  • 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 maintain the peaceful and spiritual atmosphere of Ratna Ling, we ask all guests to choose attire that reflects mindfulness and respect. Please opt for modest clothing and avoid items that are overly revealing or contain inappropriate words or images. This helps create a comfortable, welcoming space for everyone.

All meditation retreats at Ratna Ling require a fee, which helps maintain our facilities, provide nourishing vegetarian meals, offer comfortable accommodations, and support the dedicated teachers who lead each program. Pricing varies based on the type of retreat, duration, and lodging choice. By selecting a retreat from the list above, you can see full details including rates, inclusions, and any special offerings. Every retreat is thoughtfully designed to deliver a meaningful, restorative experience that makes your investment in personal growth and inner peace truly worthwhile.

Attending a meditation retreat offers lasting benefits for both mind and body. Many guests notice greater mental clarity, reduced stress, and a deeper sense of emotional balance. The immersive retreat setting provides a chance to step away from daily distractions, reconnect with your inner self, and cultivate a steady sense of peace. Over time, you may experience improved focus, better sleep, and renewed life direction. Retreats also create space to disconnect from technology, reflect in silence, and rest in the calm of nature. For many, sharing the experience with others on a similar journey fosters meaningful connections and a supportive sense of community.

Ratna Ling Meditation Retreats