San Rafael Meditation Retreats

Step away from the pace of everyday life in San Rafael and ease into the quiet stillness of a meditation retreat at Ratna Ling. Surrounded by peaceful redwoods and natural beauty, our retreat center offers a nurturing space for rest, reflection, and mindful awareness. Whether you’re new to meditation or looking to go deeper, our supportive guidance and serene environment create the ideal setting to slow down, breathe, and reconnect with yourself. Experience more balance, clarity, and a renewed sense of well-being in the calming atmosphere of 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 Rafael, CALIFORNIA FAQ’s

Meditation retreats at Ratna Ling are designed to offer a deeply nourishing and uplifting experience—supporting emotional clarity, inner steadiness, and spiritual refreshment. Each retreat is intentionally curated to help you:

Rest Into Stillness – Step away from daily responsibilities and settle into the gentle quiet of our forest sanctuary. The surrounding redwoods invite slow breaths, grounding, and a natural sense of calm.

Grow Your Meditation Practice – Whether you’re just getting started or looking to deepen your practice, our skilled teachers offer mindfulness-based guidance rooted in ancient wisdom. Develop focus, awareness, and presence through consistent practice.

Return to Your Inner Center – Give yourself space to reflect, heal, and reconnect. Our peaceful environment encourages self-inquiry and inner listening, helping you remember what feels true and essential.

Let Nature Support Your Healing – The tranquility of the redwood landscape naturally nurtures emotional balance and a sense of peace.

Nourish Body and Mind – Savor wholesome, thoughtfully prepared meals that support both your physical well-being and your inner work.

Live Mindfully, Moment by Moment – Beyond seated meditation, explore mindfulness in simple daily actions—walking, eating, resting, and connecting with nature.

Experience Quiet Community – Share the retreat space with others who value reflection and presence. The calm shared atmosphere fosters gentle connection without the need for words.

Invite Personal Transformation – Through contemplation and stillness, notice what you’re ready to release and what wants to grow within you.

At Ratna Ling, our meditation retreats offer something rare: time—time to slow down, look within, and reconnect with a deeper sense of peace and purpose.

Yes. Our San Rafael meditation retreats at Ratna Ling are open to everyone — including those who are completely new to meditation. We create an atmosphere that is welcoming, accessible, and gently guided so you can feel comfortable from the very beginning.

Clear, Supportive Instruction:

Our skilled instructors introduce meditation gradually and simply. You’ll learn foundational techniques step-by-step, with guided sessions designed to help you relax and feel grounded.

Warm, Encouraging Space:

Our retreat environment is calm, peaceful, and free from pressure. Whether you are meditating for the first time or returning after time away, you’ll be met with patience, kindness, and understanding.

Beginner-Friendly Practices:

Retreat sessions focus on breath awareness, gentle mindfulness, and connecting with the present moment. These practices help quiet the mind and build a sense of inner steadiness.

Smaller Group Style:

We keep group sizes limited so that participants have the opportunity to ask questions, share reflections if they choose, and move at a pace that feels right for them.

Whole-Body Nourishment:

In addition to meditation, you’ll enjoy nourishing meals, time with the natural landscape, and simple mindfulness activities — allowing the mind and body to unwind together.

A Community of Fellow Beginners:

Many guests are also just beginning their meditation journey. Sharing the space with others who are exploring alongside you helps create comfort, connection, and ease.

At Ratna Ling, we believe meditation is something anyone can learn. Our retreats offer a gentle and inviting entry point — giving you the time, tools, and supportive environment to begin your inner journey with confidence and peace.

  • 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 the peaceful and contemplative atmosphere at Ratna Ling, we ask all guests to dress in a way that reflects awareness and respect for the space. Modest, comfortable clothing is encouraged. We kindly request avoiding outfits that are overly revealing or that feature loud or inappropriate graphics or wording. This allows everyone to feel relaxed, supported, and at ease during their retreat.

Each meditation retreat at Ratna Ling has a set tuition that helps support our retreat center, including nourishing vegetarian meals, cozy lodging, and the guidance of our skilled instructors. Pricing varies based on the specific retreat, the duration, and the type of accommodations you select.

For full details — including costs, what’s included, and any unique offerings — simply choose a retreat from the list above. Every program is thoughtfully designed to offer a meaningful and enriching experience, making your investment in rest, clarity, and personal growth truly worthwhile.

Taking part in a meditation retreat can have a deeply positive impact on both your inner and outer well-being. Many guests notice a calmer mind, reduced stress, and a greater sense of emotional balance. By stepping away from daily routines, you give yourself the space to slow down, listen inwardly, and rediscover your natural sense of clarity.

Over the course of the retreat, you may find your concentration becoming steadier, your sleep more restful, and your overall direction in life feeling more grounded. Time away from screens and constant stimulation allows your nervous system to settle, while the quiet of nature supports your ability to simply be.

Retreats also offer meaningful human connection — sharing silence, meals, and reflection with others who value mindfulness can create a supportive, heartfelt sense of community. Many guests leave feeling renewed, inspired, and more at home within themselves.

Ratna Ling Meditation Retreats