5.0
Verified
Wonderful!
Wonderful retreat leader at a fantastic place. Would come back in a heartbeat!
You Are Not Your Story
Top Rated
You Are Not Your Story
4.9389 reviews
February 21 - 23, 2025
About this Retreat
Your Guides
Mark Matousek is a bestselling author, teacher, and speaker whose work focuses on personal awakening and creative excellence through transformational writing and self-inquiry. He brings over three decades of experience as a memoirist, editor, interviewer, survivor, activist, and spiritual seeker to his penetrating and thought-provoking work with students. His workshops, classes, and mentoring have inspired thousands of people around the world to reach their artistic and spiritual goals. In his books and teaching, Mark uses an original process of self-examination called Writing to Awaken. This transformative method uses writing as a tool for insight, innovation, and clarity of purpose. His work is accessible to non-writers as well as those with writing experience. He is the founder of The Seekers Forum, an online community dedicated to the cultivation of self-awareness and awakening through dialog and writing. Please visit markmatousek.com and theseekersforum.com for more information.
Follow Mark:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mark.matousek
Instagram: @mark.matousek, @theseekersforum
Details of this retreat
Realizing you are not your story is a quantum leap in self-realization. Learning that you are the storyteller, not the story liberates the mind from its narrative ruts and connects you to a greater sense of well-being. In this weekend workshop, bestselling memoirist, and mentor Mark Matousek guides you through the process he calls Writing to Awaken, which helps you to dissolve false narratives and illuminate obstacles that prevent you from flourishing. Writing to Awaken has helped countless students around the world to reach their personal and spiritual potential.
Known for his keen and compassionate insight, Mark is an expert at creating an atmosphere of gentle support and safety that accelerates the self-inquiry process. The workshop includes optional breakout groups, one-on-one time with Mark, and plenty of time for questions and dialog, in addition to the writing exercises. You do not need to be a writer to benefit from this workshop. This workshop is for writers and seekers of all levels, who wish to free themselves from limiting narratives, strengthen the internal witness, and recognize the power of their inborn nature.
In this workshop, you will learn to:
Separate the storyteller from the story
Free yourself of obsolete narratives and a false self-image
Strengthen your ‘witness awareness’ and practice objectivity
Integrate the Golden Shadow (your suppressed creativity and power)
Appreciate paradox and personal contradictions
Increase well-being through truth-telling
Let Mark be your guide on weekend journey to psychological wellness and wisdom.
Schedule (Subject to change):
FRIDAY
3:00 pm: Check-in
4:30 pm: Welcome Meeting
5:30 pm: Dinner
7:00 – 8:30 pm: Opening Session
SATURDAY
8:00 am: Breakfast
9:00 am: Meditation
9:30 am – 12:15 pm: Morning Session
12:15 pm: Lunch
2:30 - 5:00 pm: Afternoon Session
5:30: Dinner
7:00 – 9:00 pm: Evening Session
SUNDAY
8:30 am: Meditation
9:00 – 10:00 am: Morning Session
10:00 am: Brunch
11:00 am – 12:00 pm: Final Session
12:00 pm: Checkout
COVID POLICY: For your safety and ours, we require proof of vaccination AND negative test result from all visitors to Ratna Ling Retreat Center. We wish to provide peace of mind for all of our residents and guests.
For directions to Ratna Ling - Ratna Ling Retreat Center 35755 Hauser Bridge Rd Cazadero, CA 95421
Accommodations are beautiful lux cabins
ADDITIONAL DETAILS
Transportation to/from Ratna Ling is NOT included - carpooling encouraged
Payments are nonrefundable and transferable to a future Ratna Ling stay or retreat
Each cottage includes TWO private rooms with queen beds, large dining & living area, gas fireplace,
spacious deck, jacuzzi tub, linens/towels/hand soap, kitchenette with tea & coffee, complimentary wireless internet. Towels and hand soap are provided.
vegetarian meals are served during our weekend together.
What people are saying about our retreats:
“The accommodations were great along with the beautiful surroundings - everything was so peaceful and nurturing”
“It was exactly what I needed – to disconnect, get in tune with my soul and recharge my spirit.”
“I loved having time to myself to reflect on my life and where I am going. Thank you Ratna Ling."
“Space for reflection while also giving me anchor points through teachings.
“Space and time for meditation and movement classes were truly wonderful.”
“Being able to move at my own pace is a luxury. And of course the food was delicious."
Known for his keen and compassionate insight, Mark is an expert at creating an atmosphere of gentle support and safety that accelerates the self-inquiry process. The workshop includes optional breakout groups, one-on-one time with Mark, and plenty of time for questions and dialog, in addition to the writing exercises. You do not need to be a writer to benefit from this workshop. This workshop is for writers and seekers of all levels, who wish to free themselves from limiting narratives, strengthen the internal witness, and recognize the power of their inborn nature.
In this workshop, you will learn to:
Separate the storyteller from the story
Free yourself of obsolete narratives and a false self-image
Strengthen your ‘witness awareness’ and practice objectivity
Integrate the Golden Shadow (your suppressed creativity and power)
Appreciate paradox and personal contradictions
Increase well-being through truth-telling
Let Mark be your guide on weekend journey to psychological wellness and wisdom.
Schedule (Subject to change):
FRIDAY
3:00 pm: Check-in
4:30 pm: Welcome Meeting
5:30 pm: Dinner
7:00 – 8:30 pm: Opening Session
SATURDAY
8:00 am: Breakfast
9:00 am: Meditation
9:30 am – 12:15 pm: Morning Session
12:15 pm: Lunch
2:30 - 5:00 pm: Afternoon Session
5:30: Dinner
7:00 – 9:00 pm: Evening Session
SUNDAY
8:30 am: Meditation
9:00 – 10:00 am: Morning Session
10:00 am: Brunch
11:00 am – 12:00 pm: Final Session
12:00 pm: Checkout
COVID POLICY: For your safety and ours, we require proof of vaccination AND negative test result from all visitors to Ratna Ling Retreat Center. We wish to provide peace of mind for all of our residents and guests.
For directions to Ratna Ling - Ratna Ling Retreat Center 35755 Hauser Bridge Rd Cazadero, CA 95421
Accommodations are beautiful lux cabins
ADDITIONAL DETAILS
Transportation to/from Ratna Ling is NOT included - carpooling encouraged
Payments are nonrefundable and transferable to a future Ratna Ling stay or retreat
Each cottage includes TWO private rooms with queen beds, large dining & living area, gas fireplace,
spacious deck, jacuzzi tub, linens/towels/hand soap, kitchenette with tea & coffee, complimentary wireless internet. Towels and hand soap are provided.
vegetarian meals are served during our weekend together.
What people are saying about our retreats:
“The accommodations were great along with the beautiful surroundings - everything was so peaceful and nurturing”
“It was exactly what I needed – to disconnect, get in tune with my soul and recharge my spirit.”
“I loved having time to myself to reflect on my life and where I am going. Thank you Ratna Ling."
“Space for reflection while also giving me anchor points through teachings.
“Space and time for meditation and movement classes were truly wonderful.”
“Being able to move at my own pace is a luxury. And of course the food was delicious."
Getting Here
Directions
San Francisco International and Oakland International airports are approximately three hours south of Ratna Ling by car. Alaska Airlines flies to and from Sonoma County Airport in Santa Rosa which is approximately 1.5 hours from Ratna Ling by car. Unfortunately, there are no shuttles that bring you directly to Ratna Ling, so it is best to rent a car or email us to support in coordinating a carpool with fellow retreatants.
Accommodation
14 guest cottages on 120 acres of property. Each spacious, quiet cottage has 2 private rooms, with high ceilings and a deck with a view. Cottages include jet tubs (or ADA shower), towels, deluxe linens, refrigerator, tea kettle, coffee/tea, kitchen sink/counter, diningware, dining table, and living room with a stove fireplace. Free wifi available and a landline telephone. Guests can choose to have an exclusive cottage for ONE person; a private room for ONE person in a SHARED cottage; or a cottage for TWO people. Any additional guest after TWO is $100 per person per night. Meals and classes included.
For 1 guest in Private Room (Shared Cottage with 1 other person)
Venue & Amenities
A/C in Rooms
Free Wifi
Spa
Sauna
Pool
Towels
Free Parking
Kitchen
Tour Assistance
Hot Tub
Coffee/Tea
Cafe
Restaurant
Fitness Center
Yoga Studio
Housekeeping
Bicycles For Rent
Three miles from the beautiful Sonoma coast. Organic, vegetarian meals. 120 acres of redwoods, canyons, reservoirs, and wildlife. Sacred architecture timber cottages and communal spaces. Featured stupas, gardens, and temple empowered by Tibetan Buddhist Lama Tarthang Tulku Rinpoche.
Meals
Menu Types
Vegan
Vegetarian
Pescetarian
Ayurvedic
Includes Meat
Organic
Gluten Free
Dairy Free
Nut Free
All of our meals are organic and vegetarian, made with love and care.
We provide homemade yogurt and granola for breakfast. Lunches and dinners always include salads or salad bar. Each meal is self-served on a buffet table.
Customer Reviews
Verified
5.0
Verified
An energetic portal
The sanctuary, surrounded by old growth redwoods, is a very special portal where connection to the divine feels effortless and powerful. The volunteers who live on property are delightful, the cabins are lovely, the grounds an amazing and the food is magnificent! I was on a cleanse with a very limiting protocol, but at every buffet there were plenty of delicious vegan and gluten free options. I didn’t feel compromised at all! The retreat I attended was the icing on the cake. All in all there is nothing I would have changed. It was a 10 out of 10 all the way around Di
5.0
Verified
Fabulous retreat center
Surroundings are amazing and so are the staff!
Clarissa especially went out of her way for me!
Clarissa especially went out of her way for me!
5.0
Verified
Retreat
The space and surroundings were inviting and so calming. Beautiful accommodations and amazing food. The perfect location to find your inner peace
5.0
Verified
A beautiful and inviting setting for a weekend of introspection and relaxation
I attended Ratna Ling Retreat Center for a weekend group retreat focused on finding joy. The center is beautiful and well worth the drive from San Francisco. The facilities were clean and inviting and the staff was welcoming and created a peaceful environment. There are many treasures on the retreat grounds, including Redwood circles and an oak and Redwood tree that have joined to grow as one. Wild turkeys, woodpeckers and many other birds can be found throughout the grounds. We also received a special treat as the leaves on the Japanese Maples were bright pink, creating an absolutely stunning sight. I left feeling refreshed, more connected to myself and nature and inspired. I will be returning many times to Ratna Ling.
