With Jack Petranker and Gretchen Donovan

July 31 – August 2, 2026

Register now

Ratna Ling brings together two powerful and expert teachers to help you find more freedom and ease in your life!

Tension and stress don’t arise only from busy calendars—they come from the deeper ways we’ve learned to interpret our lives, our responsibilities, and even our sense of self.

In this powerful weekend retreat at Ratna Ling, Jack Petranker—a direct student of Tarthang Tulku Rinpoche for 45 years and editor of over a dozen of Rinpoche’s books—guides participants in gently uncovering the hidden patterns that keep us striving, fixing, and feeling like life is just happening to us. Special Guest Yoga Teacher Gretchen Donovan will guide us with practices for relaxation, strength, and flexibility. Through restorative yoga, sensory appreciation, and accessible inquiry practices, you’ll begin to relax into experience as it actually is, rather than how you’ve been conditioned to manage or control it. You will discover that deep relaxation doesn’t depend on controlling experience. You simply need to inquire more deeply what is happening right now … and now … and now.

For the inquiring, thoughtful seeker who feels overwhelmed, overextended, or quietly wondering, “Is this the life I really want?” This program offers a clear and compassionate path forward. You’ll learn how to meet each moment with greater openness, discernment, and ease—returning to your everyday world with a new way of relating to stress that doesn’t require more effort or time, but rather a shift in understanding. You will leave with the rare ability to be “ordinary in extraordinary ways”–fully present, grounded, and able to respond wisely to what life brings, without forcing change or pushing yourself to be different.

Join Jack and Gretchen in discovering a natural freedom available in every situation.

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
4:30pm Grounding Yoga
5:30pm Dinner
7:00-8:30pm Welcome & Introductions

SATURDAY
8am Breakfast
9-11am Morning Session
11:15am-12:15pm Yoga 12:15pm Lunch
2-3:30pm Afternoon Session
3:30-5pm Time in Nature
5-5:30pm Reflections
5:30pm Dinner
7-8:15 Lecture & Practice

SUNDAY
8-9am Yoga
9-10am Review & Closing Circle
10am Brunch
12pm Checkout

ADDITIONAL DETAILS

– Transportation to/from Ratna Ling is NOT included – carpooling encouraged.

– All bookings are NON-REFUNDABLE. Should you wish to cancel your stay with us, Ratna Ling Retreat Center requires 30 days’ notice for a full credit to be TRANSFERRED to a future retreat within 1 year of original booking.

– Each cottage includes TWO private rooms with queen beds, large dining & living area, gas fireplace, spacious deck, jetted bathtub, 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:

“I appreciated Jackʻs calm and expert guidance, and all the new ways for me to reframe my story/perspective.”

“It was a much needed reset to get back to who I am. The teachings were amazing and east for a newcomer to understand. The meditations were new to me and something I will practice at home.”

“I loved having time to myself to reflect on my life and where I am going. Thank you Ratna Ling.”

“Gretchen Donovan is an amazing soul who shines on everyone and make them feel special. The circle sharing ceremony not he last night … helped me in so many ways…”

“Good info, good pace, well planned and executed with spontaneous bouts of unexpected joy.”

“Being able to move at my own pace is a luxury. And of course the food was delicious.”

Facilitators

Jack Petranker

Jack has been a student of Tarthang Tulku for more than 40 years, and has worked for the Nyingma organizations as an editor, writer, and teacher. A past Dean of the Nyingma Institute in Berkeley, he is now the Director of the Mangalam Buddhist Research Center and senior teacher at the Center for Creative Inquiry.

Gretchen Donovan

Gretchen has been teaching yoga for 20 years. After extensive experimentation and study in the traditions of Ashtanga Yoga, Iyengar Yoga and Prajna Yoga, her teaching cultivates a broad range of techniques. She carefully weaves the subtle energies and precision of these disciplines into her teaching, creating a unique style. Her enthusiasm and commitment to helping others access growth and self awareness (beyond asana) is both accessible and infectious.