5.0
Verified
Beautiful land & accommodations
What an absolutely lovely place to retreat, ponder, and learn about the universe and myself!
Joy & Appreciation - A Thanksgiving Retreat
Deryk's Staff Pick
Top Rated
Joy & Appreciation - A Thanksgiving Retreat
4.95256 reviews
35755 Hauser Bridge Rd. Cazadero, CA 95421 United States
November 27 - 29, 2026
About this Retreat
George Wiegand is our well-known and loved meditation teacher and volunteer at Ratna Ling. He has been a student of our Founder Tarthang Tulku and a full-time volunteer in Nyingma organizations for 40 years, as a chef, baker, kitchen manager, temple builder, book binder, and pressman.
He earned his Masters of Education in Counseling in 1974. After teaching high school while in the Peace Corps, he served as a Counselor at a Catholic high school before moving to California in search of a meditation teacher. He intensively trained in Tibetan Yoga (Kum Nye) from 1982-1986 at the Nyingma Institute in Berkeley, and then moved to the Odiyan country center.
George describes his daily practice as meditation in action, working on projects in the Nyingma community, cooking, baking, building temples, printing, binding books, and teaching Tibetan meditation. His active meditation has been a solitary practice, internally studying the working of his own mind as he performs dharma activities. Some of his greatest lessons have come from caring for a dying parent and teaching communication to teenagers at a mindfulness-based youth treatment center.
His hobbies include bread baking, basketball, and choir singing.
Karmyn Ojeda Egle is a devoted practitioner and teacher whose journey bridges the realms of physical awareness, meditative practice, and Tibetan Buddhist wisdom. Karmyn has dedicated herself to exploring the intricate connection between body and mind through the transformative practice of Kum Nye, a Tibetan healing system. Karmyn’s practice resonates with those seeking a meaningful integration of body, mind, and spirit. Through her guidance in Kum Nye, Yoga, and meditation, she creates spaces where practitioners can cultivate deep relaxation, heightened presence, and a profound connection to themselves and the world around them.
Karmyn is trained in Meditation, Reiki, Therapeutic Yoga, Breath-based Hatha Yoga (200 RYT), and a 300-hour Yoga Teacher Training. Her training encompasses intensive retreats and seminars across Europe, the United States, South America, and Asia, drawing on those experiences to design inclusive classes with a warm, grounded presence.
Originally from Argentina, Karmyn moved to the USA in 2018, where she has been a full-time volunteer at Ratna Ling, supporting diverse activities. Her practice is infused with a love for nature, motherhood, gardening, cooking, and the artistry of textiles, reflecting an aesthetic sensibility and mindfulness in everyday life.
Details of this retreat
For this special Thanksgiving retreat, we are offering a sliding scale to allow you to give what you can. We hope you can join us!
For many folks, Thanksgiving weekend is a time to feast, gather with family, give thanks for each other, and shop the Black Friday sales.
But maybe you need something different for yourself this year. Maybe you want silence, time to do less, a space to eat less, and an opportunity to be offline.
Ratna Ling is offering this weekend as a time to still give thanks, but to also experience the joy of silence, solitude, slowness, and being in nature. This retreat is a time to feel appreciation for yourself and your life, and reflect on all the things you are grateful for.
The schedule includes:
Silent Mornings
Meditation
Dharma Talks + Discussion
Journaling + Reflection
Movement + Relaxation
Nature Walk
COVID POLICY: For your safety and ours, we require that all guests be vaccinated against Covid and provide proof of a negative covid test result within 48 hours of arrival. We wish to provide peace of mind for all of our residents and guests.
Schedule (Subject to change):
FRIDAY
3pm Check in
5:30 Dinner
6:30-8pm Welcome, Journaling, and Meditation
SATURDAY
Please observe silence from waking until 9am.
7am Meditation - George
8am Silent Breakfast
9-10:30am Cultivating Joy & Appreciation - Linda + George
11:30am Nature Walk - Carmen
12:15 Lunch, Free Time
4:30pm Kum Nye - Carmen
5:30pm Dinner
7-8pm Relaxation + Sound Meditation - Linda
SUNDAY
Please observe silence from waking until closing circle.
8am Kum Nye - Carmen
9am Closing Circle
10am Brunch
12pm Check Out
For directions to Ratna Ling - Ratna Ling Retreat Center 35755 Hauser Bridge Rd Cazadero, CA 95421
Accommodations are beautiful lux cabins
Ratna Ling Lotus House - New
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, jetted tub, linens/towels/hand soap, kitchenette with tea & coffee, complimentary wireless internet.
Vegetarian meals are served during our weekend together.
What people are saying about this retreat:
“I really liked the slow movement aspects f the walking around the temple and the Kum Nye. I appreciated the space and time, and the kindness of the leaders and the participants.”
“The retreat offered good reminders that we are not our thoughts. Made space and time for me to reflect.”
“I enjoyed the secular nature of the program and the time for introspection and sharing. The teachers seemed so happy to be here."
“The environment here along with the program's teachings were so beneficial. I easily found peace and tranquility with the space that the cottage afforded me."
“The schedule was perfect to experience everything without feeling rushed. My favorite part was the temple tour and nature walk.”
“I appreciated the structure of the program and the experience of the teachers."
For many folks, Thanksgiving weekend is a time to feast, gather with family, give thanks for each other, and shop the Black Friday sales.
But maybe you need something different for yourself this year. Maybe you want silence, time to do less, a space to eat less, and an opportunity to be offline.
Ratna Ling is offering this weekend as a time to still give thanks, but to also experience the joy of silence, solitude, slowness, and being in nature. This retreat is a time to feel appreciation for yourself and your life, and reflect on all the things you are grateful for.
The schedule includes:
Silent Mornings
Meditation
Dharma Talks + Discussion
Journaling + Reflection
Movement + Relaxation
Nature Walk
COVID POLICY: For your safety and ours, we require that all guests be vaccinated against Covid and provide proof of a negative covid test result within 48 hours of arrival. We wish to provide peace of mind for all of our residents and guests.
Schedule (Subject to change):
FRIDAY
3pm Check in
5:30 Dinner
6:30-8pm Welcome, Journaling, and Meditation
SATURDAY
Please observe silence from waking until 9am.
7am Meditation - George
8am Silent Breakfast
9-10:30am Cultivating Joy & Appreciation - Linda + George
11:30am Nature Walk - Carmen
12:15 Lunch, Free Time
4:30pm Kum Nye - Carmen
5:30pm Dinner
7-8pm Relaxation + Sound Meditation - Linda
SUNDAY
Please observe silence from waking until closing circle.
8am Kum Nye - Carmen
9am Closing Circle
10am Brunch
12pm Check Out
For directions to Ratna Ling - Ratna Ling Retreat Center 35755 Hauser Bridge Rd Cazadero, CA 95421
Accommodations are beautiful lux cabins
Ratna Ling Lotus House - New
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, jetted tub, linens/towels/hand soap, kitchenette with tea & coffee, complimentary wireless internet.
Vegetarian meals are served during our weekend together.
What people are saying about this retreat:
“I really liked the slow movement aspects f the walking around the temple and the Kum Nye. I appreciated the space and time, and the kindness of the leaders and the participants.”
“The retreat offered good reminders that we are not our thoughts. Made space and time for me to reflect.”
“I enjoyed the secular nature of the program and the time for introspection and sharing. The teachers seemed so happy to be here."
“The environment here along with the program's teachings were so beneficial. I easily found peace and tranquility with the space that the cottage afforded me."
“The schedule was perfect to experience everything without feeling rushed. My favorite part was the temple tour and nature walk.”
“I appreciated the structure of the program and the experience of the teachers."
Getting Here
Ratna Ling Retreat Center, 35755 Hauser Bridge Rd. Cazadero, CA 95421 United States
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.
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
Review for Retreat Center
My third time there, I love the place. It is only 1 3/4 hrs away from my home, but I am in another world. When there I don't even WANT to go on the internet, though it is available. It was a great opportunity to break my habit and addiction to social media. The food is fantastic, the cottages are very comfortable, and every view out your window is refreshing. The staff are corgial, the grounds are well kept. I felt so cared for and comfortable on my solo retreat. I highly recommend Ratna Ling, and I will soon return.
5.0
Verified
Beautiful, Spacious, and Deeply Restorative
I just returned from my third retreat at Ratna Ling—and my second this year with my sister. It is such a peaceful, restorative place.
The retreats are gentle and spacious, with plenty of time for reflection, spending time in nature, hiking on the property or in the surrounding area, and simply enjoying the beautiful cabins. The teaching is led by experienced practitioners, with the content varying depending on the retreat, and the prepared food is absolutely delicious.
Ratna Ling is on the more relaxing end of the meditation-retreat spectrum. There is typically no work meditation, the retreats are not usually strictly silent, and the schedule is not overly dense. That makes it a wonderful experience for anyone looking to slow down, restore, and reconnect with themselves.
The retreats are gentle and spacious, with plenty of time for reflection, spending time in nature, hiking on the property or in the surrounding area, and simply enjoying the beautiful cabins. The teaching is led by experienced practitioners, with the content varying depending on the retreat, and the prepared food is absolutely delicious.
Ratna Ling is on the more relaxing end of the meditation-retreat spectrum. There is typically no work meditation, the retreats are not usually strictly silent, and the schedule is not overly dense. That makes it a wonderful experience for anyone looking to slow down, restore, and reconnect with themselves.
5.0
Verified
Incredible space
What a beautiful and peacful space. I live near by and have lots of retreat centers to choose from in our area but there is something extra special about this place.
5.0
Verified
Wonderful people and place
Ratna Ling greets everyone with happiness and grace. Just find the program for you and it will be a weekend well spent. The space, food, teachers and staff are all wonderful. It is a great place to learn meditation or further your practice.
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