Reclaim: A Nervous System Retreat for Deep Rest and Relaxation

I have been at Ratna Ling three times now, and each visit has been magical. The stillness of the place and the beauty of the area always refreshes my soul. With a garden on site, the food is fresh and amazing, especially the home made bread. The cabins are very comfortable with plenty of space and a kitchenette. I also appreciated the beginner's meditation class and the caring staff. Thank you for a wonderful stay!

I attended the Sonoma County Writers Camp retreat in July 2025. Although I had some trouble finding the location (cell service and gps "died" before reaching the destination and I got hopelessly lost), I finally arrived at the impressive Ratna Ling Retreat Center nestled in the northern California coastal woods. The property is a gorgeous, immaculately maintained, peaceful, nature-imbued oasis. The staff is so helpful, gentle and kind, often above and beyond what one might expect - even at a Buddhist retreat center! The cabin I shared was welcoming, comfortable, and beautifully appointed. Everything needed in the bedrooms, kitchen and bathroom had been anticipated - and in the unlikely event that it hadn't been, the staff got on it right away. The meals - oh my! - I wasn't particularly looking forward to vegetarian eating, and there was certainly an abundance of salad, but there was always much more to choose from, and everything was SO delicious. I have a new appreciation for mushrooms, as these were often a main ingredient in some of the dishes substituting for meat. Again, delicious. Throughout the Lodge (the main building where most of our events took place) were well-tended, and clearly well-loved, live flowering plants. I don't know why this detail struck me. It added a layer of beauty and serenity to our environment that so many "conference center-type spaces" omit or replace with over-the-top fake floral arrangements. This was so NOT THAT. I left feeling rested, peaceful and grateful for the space offered to us for this writers retreat. And honestly, a little sad that I had to return to "the real world" and its angst. So thank you to our retreat leaders for picking this space, and thank you to Ratna Ling for such a memorable 4 days.

I hope to stay here again. Beautiful landscape and gardens. Lovely spaces for a writing retreat. Great food. Staff was helpful and gracious. The cabins are comfortable and beautiful. The whole place feels intentional. I saw wild turkeys, woodpeckers, lizards, ravens and a deer. Nice hiking trails too.

This nourishing gem is found in the Sonoma coastal redwoods. Upon entering the land a sense of calm is immediately palpable. The land invites an exploration in nature, walking and hiking. The cottages are immaculate and located in peaceful settings where the winds whisper! The daily culinary delights are a feast and prepared with care and thoughtfulness... As a Tibetan Buddhist retreat center the workshop meditations and simple practices are a beautiful reflection of Tarthang Tulku's vision. The temple is extraordinarily rich and where you will feel held.

Loved this rereat, grat program centered around the teachings of Tarthang Tulku Rinpoche. The visiting monk from India did meditation sessions with us gave deep insights into the nature of mind. Hughly recommended!!