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Dear Friends,
Lately I have been reflecting on the preciousness of life. We often move quickly from one responsibility to the next, forgetting how extraordinary it is simply to be alive—to see the morning light, hear a familiar voice, breathe, think, feel, and respond. Our lives may not always unfold as we hope, yet each day offers moments of beauty, connection, and possibility. When we pause long enough to notice, even ordinary experience can feel like a gift.
In the Buddhist tradition, human life is considered rare and precious. The chances of obtaining a human birth versus the life of an animal or insect are astronomically slim. As humans, we have the special qualities of the human heart and mind. We have
opportunity to perceive beauty, to learn, to change, and to awaken compassion and wisdom. Not limited to repeating old habits, we can become aware of the richness of experience in each moment and see how our thoughts, words, and actions create either suffering or deep satisfaction. We can embody patience, generosity, and kindness for ourselves and others.
At Ratna Ling, the quiet of the redwoods invites us to remember what matters and to appreciate the time we have been given. Our upcoming retreats offer many ways to pause and reconnect, including Expand Into Summer, August 7–9; Being Now or Ease; Effort; Finding the Balance, August 14–16; and Labor day Weekend of Self-Care September 4-7.
Whether we come together for meditation, yoga, reflection, or rest, recognizing the preciousness of human life asks us to be present, to care for one another, and to use our lives as wisely and lovingly as we can.
We look forward to seeing you.
With good wishes,
Linda Copenhagen and the Ratna Ling Volunteer Community
| | Meet Our Ratna Ling Faculty | | | |
Renate Marx
Originally from Germany, Renate has spent much of her life moving between countries dedicating herself to education and the Dharma. Her work is grounded in experiential and interdisciplinary learning.
In Germany, Renate worked as a manager and program developer at the intersection of education, intercultural dialogue, and the arts.
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Once we learn to care for ourselves, we can learn to appreciate the preciousness and uniqueness of each individual. We welcome others warmly and joyfully into our hearts, for we no longer feel defensive. We easily see when others relate to us in this way-their eyes are alive and their faces are radiant.
Tulku, Tarthang. Awakening the Balanced Mind from Dharma Publishing
| | | What's happening at Ratna Ling | |
2026 Harvest Celebration
October 6th, 2 -6:30
Join us for Ratna Ling’s Fourth Annual Harvest Celebration—an afternoon of community, gratitude, and the abundance of the season. Enjoy live music by The Rhythm Drivers and by Ratna Ling musicians, stroll through the gardens, connect with friends, and savor a delicious vegetarian farm-to-table dinner featuring fresh produce from the Ratna Ling Gardens. A silent auction and raffle will help raise funds to support the continued growth of this special place.
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Living with More Ease
With Renate Marx
August 21 - 23, 2026
Inspired by the teachings of Tarthang Tulku, our resident instructor, Renate Marx, offers a weekend to train the body, mind, and speech for a life with more ease.
In this weekend retreat, you will learn to reconnect with your body and mind, cultivating relaxation, awareness, and inner balance in everyday life.
Leave with simple practices and renewed inspiration to bring more peace and calm into your daily life.
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A Weekend of Self-Care | Labor Day
With Rosalyn White and Erica Martzen
September 4 - 7, 2026
SLOW DOWN, TAKE A BREAK, AND REST
In our modern world, we’re always on. The demands of work, family, and daily life stack up fast—and we begin to lose touch with something essential: ourselves.
Spend three nourishing nights in the serene redwoods of Northern California, where time moves differently and the land itself invites you to slow down. At Ratna Ling, you’ll be supported by nature, silence, wholesome meals, and a gentle rhythm of offerings designed to replenish your mind, body, and spirit.
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Sustained Awareness:
A Meditation Retreat
With George Wiegand and Karmyn Ojeda
September 17 - 20, 2026
Join Resident Teachers George Wiegand and Karmyn Ojeda for a fun, enlightening journey into your mind…
We invite you for a 4-day Retreat to cultivate stability and calmness in the mind.
Using guided meditation, visualization, sensory awareness, and mindful movements, we will move towards more clarity and stillness inside ourselves.
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Re-Vision: Sonoma County Writers Camp
With Elizabeth Stark and Ellen Sussman
September 23 - 27, 2026
We welcome back renowned authors Elizabeth Stark and Ellen Sussman for another fabulous Sonoma County Writers Camp!
Draft Two to Submission-ready!
So you’ve got pages. Pages and pages. Now what?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. We will take you through the steps of reimagining the whole from inside. Finally, you’ll master honing the craft, securing the structure, and polishing it until it gleams. Dive deep and take your work from here to done… ready to take the world by storm!
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Warm Butternut Squash &
Cranberries Salad
Sweet roasted butternut squash, crisp apples, tart cranberries, and peppery arugula come together in this colorful seasonal salad. Finished with a tangy apple cider–Dijon vinaigrette, it is hearty enough for a light meal and beautiful enough for a holiday table.
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Calling All Volunteers
Ratna Ling is staffed by mostly volunteers! If you want to serve as a resident volunteer, please fill out a volunteer application HERE. We are always looking for folks in Maintenance, Kitchen, Gardening, Guest Services, Marketing, and more!
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These retreats are open to everyone. If you know of someone who could benefit from the Ratna Ling experience, please pass on this email.
| | Ratna Ling Retreat Center operates under the spiritual guidance of Head Lama TNMC, a California religious corporation. | | | | |
