What is the Story You Have to Tell?

Date
October 9 - 13, 2024

About this Retreat

Details of this retreat

We welcome back renowned authors Elizabeth Stark and Ellen Sussman for another Sonoma County Writers Camp!

This retreat will infuse you and your writing with creative energy!

This camp will explore the question: What is the story you have to tell? Strengthen access to your deep knowledge, gain complete permission to wield your voice, your insights, your way of looking at the world. Experience the power of tapping into your most urgent, personal passions and obsessions. Celebrate yourself as an instrument of story, finely honed by the life you’ve led, the lessons you’ve learned, the way you see people, places and things. In the contemplative, gorgeous space provided by Ratna Ling, discover the ways a profound and meditative mindfulness deepens the creative work and opens its meanings. In the process, develop scenes and stories that readers, equally, have to read!

Bonus Add-On: Limited to 18 Guests!
October 13th-16th
$1350, open ONLY to Camp Participants

Follow up your camp immersion with three days of writing retreat with Ellen, Elizabeth, seven other writers and YOU. Build on the inspiration you've gained, maintain the focus, and keep writing. Ellen and Elizabeth will be writing, too, with early morning mediative "writing from where you dream," ongoing cafe writing sessions in the later mornings and afternoons, shared meals and walks, and low-key, high positivity evenings of sharing work, chatting about books.
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.
 

SCHEDULE (Subject to Change):
Wednesday:
3pm  Check-in
5pm  Wine Tasting
6pm  Dinner
7:30pm  Welcome Gathering

Thursday:
6:30am Meditative Dream Writing
8am Breakfast
9am Writing Workshop
12:15pm Lunch
1:15pm Cafe Writing
2pm Kum Nye with Andi
6pm Dinner + Ratna Ling Introduction
7:30pm Student Readings

Friday:
6:30am Meditative Dream Writing
8am Breakfast
9am  Writing workshop
12:15pm Lunch
1:15pm Cafe Writing
2pm  Hike with Ellen
4pm Master Class with Visiting Author
6pm Dinner
7:30pm  Student Readings

Saturday:
630am Meditative Dream Writing
8am Breakfast
9am Writing Workshop
12:15pm Lunch
1:15pm Cafe Writing
2pm Meditation with George
4:30pm Industry Panel
6pm Dinner
7:30pm  Student Readings

Sunday:
6:30am Meditative Dream Writing
8am Breakfast
9am Writing Workshop
12:15pm Lunch + Closing
1:30pm Checkout
 

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, including meals and classes

Venue & Amenities

A/C in Rooms icon A/C in Rooms
Free Wifi icon Free Wifi
Spa icon Spa
Sauna icon Sauna
Pool icon Pool
Towels icon Towels
Free Parking icon Free Parking
Kitchen icon Kitchen
Tour Assistance icon Tour Assistance
Hot Tub icon Hot Tub
Coffee/Tea icon Coffee/Tea
Cafe icon Cafe
Restaurant icon Restaurant
Fitness Center icon Fitness Center
Yoga Studio icon Yoga Studio
Housekeeping icon Housekeeping
Bicycles For Rent icon 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

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

4.86 out of 5.0 average rating

5.0
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Weekend retreat at Ratna Ling
My experience at Ratna Ling Retreat Center was magical and life changing.

From the moment I arrived onto the grounds, through the beautiful gated entrance, I felt a sense of peace and comfort.

Check in was done kindly, and effortlessly. Walking into our cabin (my two daughters and I), and noting the clean pristine environment, was much appreciated. It was very comfortable, and had everything we needed.

Meditations, with George leading, were easy to follow and helpful. His orientation, as well as his company during meals, was delightful.

The Tibetan movement class was relaxing, as well as invigorating.

The meals were delicious, healthy, and plentiful.

The staff were joyful and helpful.

The weekend was truly beautiful and special, and will be remembered always.

Thank you all for creating a perfect environment. I loved my time there and brought back lessons I have implemented into my daily life.

Eileen

5.0
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Beautiful and Serene
Ratna Ling was an oasis. The sense of calm that came over me during my time there was such a gift. The space, the food, the people. All came together for a truly wonderful stay in a beautiful space dedicated to mission and purpose.

5.0
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Relaxing every time!
This place is just amazing. The land is deeply imbued with peacefulness and quiet, the staff are always friendly and full of wisdom, food and accommodations are over the top amazing. I always leave feeling a deeper awareness of my true nature and sense of inner peace. THANK YOU!

5.0
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Wonderful, relaxing time
Ratna Ling is a beautiful serene space for you to connect with yourself and others. The cabins are comfortable and spacious and surrounded by beautiful forest. Beautiful classrooms spaces to learn. The food was delicious and healthy. Enjoyed our yoga retreat and the meditation class very much.

5.0
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Absolutely glorious
Our long weekend at Ratna Ling was a divine experience. Blessings abound in many forms at this wonderful site: natural beauty and peace and silent simplicity! The kind welcoming of staff makes it the perfect setting for healing on many levels. We’re so very grateful for being able to repeatedly visit Ratna Ling~🙏🏻✨