San Mateo Meditation Retreats

Step away from the bustle of San Mateo and experience the stillness of a meditation retreat at Ratna Ling, just a few hours to the north. Nestled among peaceful redwoods and quiet natural surroundings, our retreat center offers a calming space for reflection, mindfulness, and deep rest. Whether you are new to meditation or seeking to deepen your practice, our guided sessions and serene environment provide the perfect opportunity to pause, reset, and reconnect. Discover balance, clarity, and a renewed sense of purpose in the heart of nature 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 San Mateo, CALIFORNIA FAQ’s

Meditation retreats at Ratna Ling are created to provide a deeply restorative and inspiring experience, guiding you toward emotional clarity, inner calm, and spiritual renewal. Each retreat is carefully structured to help you:

Embrace Peace and Stillness – Step away from the demands of daily life and immerse yourself in the quiet beauty of our redwood forest sanctuary. The natural surroundings invite deep breathing, slowing down, and settling into stillness.

Deepen Your Meditation Practice – Whether you are new to meditation or seeking to refine your skills, our experienced teachers share methods rooted in mindfulness and timeless wisdom, helping you cultivate focus, presence, and awareness through regular practice.

Reconnect with Your Inner Self – Take this opportunity to reflect, restore, and re center. Our peaceful environment encourages personal exploration and self discovery, bringing you closer to what truly matters.

Let Nature Guide Your Healing – The serene landscapes of Northern California’s redwoods naturally enhance your meditation, fostering balance and emotional well being.

Nourish Body and Mind – Enjoy wholesome, thoughtfully prepared meals that support both your physical health and your inner work.

Bring Mindfulness into Everyday Life – Beyond formal meditation, explore ways to live more mindfully in daily activities—whether walking in nature, sharing a meal, or simply resting with awareness.

Share in Silent Community – Experience the quiet companionship of others on a similar journey, creating a subtle yet powerful sense of connection.

Encourage Inner Growth – Through stillness and self observation, gain insights, let go of what no longer serves you, and make space for transformation.

At Ratna Ling, our meditation retreats offer the rare gift of time—time to pause, turn inward, and awaken a deeper presence and peace within.

Yes. Our San Mateo meditation retreats at Ratna Ling are designed for everyone, including complete beginners. Here is how we create a supportive and accessible experience for those new to meditation:

Gentle Guidance: Our experienced teachers introduce meditation in a simple and clear way. You will learn foundational techniques step by step, with guided sessions that help you feel at ease.

Welcoming Environment: We provide a calm and supportive space where you can slow down and explore the practice without pressure. Whether this is your first time meditating or you are reconnecting with it, you will be met with care and encouragement.

Foundational Practices: Retreats include beginner friendly sessions focused on breath awareness, body scanning, and mindfulness. These tools help you quiet the mind and connect with the present moment.

Small Group Settings: With limited group sizes, you will receive personalized attention and space to ask questions. This allows you to build confidence and go at your own pace.

Holistic Approach: Beyond formal meditation, our retreats include time in nature, nourishing meals, and mindfulness activities. Every part of the experience is designed to support your well being.

Encouraging Community: Many participants are also new to meditation. Sharing the retreat with others on a similar path helps build a sense of connection and ease.

At Ratna Ling, we believe meditation is a practice anyone can begin. Our retreats offer a gentle entry point, giving you the space, guidance, and peace to begin your journey inward.

  • 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 preserve the serene and spiritual environment at Ratna Ling, we kindly ask guests to wear clothing that reflects mindfulness and respect for the space. Modest attire is encouraged, and we request avoiding garments that are overly revealing or display inappropriate language or images. This ensures a warm, welcoming, and comfortable atmosphere for all.

All meditation retreats at Ratna Ling have a set cost, which supports the upkeep of our facilities, delicious vegetarian meals, comfortable lodging, and the experienced teachers who guide each session. Rates differ depending on the retreat you choose, the length of your stay, and your preferred accommodations. You can view complete details, including pricing, what is included, and any special features, by selecting a retreat from the list above. Each program is designed to provide a rich, uplifting experience that makes your investment in your personal growth and peace of mind deeply rewarding.

Joining a meditation retreat can bring profound benefits to both your mind and body. Participants often experience enhanced mental clarity, lower stress levels, and a stronger sense of emotional harmony. Immersing yourself in a retreat setting creates space to step away from the busyness of everyday life, reconnect with your inner self, and nurture a lasting feeling of peace. As the days unfold, you may find your focus sharpening, your sleep improving, and your sense of direction in life becoming clearer. These retreats also offer the chance to unplug from screens, embrace quiet reflection, and rest in stillness surrounded by nature. Many guests value the shared experience, building meaningful connections with others on a similar path toward mindfulness and personal growth.

Ratna Ling Meditation Retreats