Overview: Ratna Ling is located 100 miles north of San Francisco in the beautiful coastal mountains of Sonoma County, CA. Residents live in a variety of shared accommodations, have meals in the Ratna Ling Lodge dining room and participate in evening classes. While many buildings and facilities are already in place, there is still much more to be done in construction, management, program development and general community operations. Those who apply to Ratna Ling need to be physically fit, independent, emotionally and mentally stable, with the flexibility to participate in the challenges and changeability of a developing enterprise in a rural setting. The closest town, Gualala, has a population of 600 people and is about 40 minutes away by car. Ratna Ling is a non-smoking facility.
Presently there are about 30 people from various parts for the world living and working at Ratna Ling full-time. Ten additional volunteer workers come each day from our sister community Odiyan to work at Ratna Ling.
Classes at Ratna Ling: Evening classes are offered to resident throughout the week in subjects such as meditation, beginning and advanced Buddhist studies, Skillful Means and Tibetan yoga. We are excited to be offering in 2010 a new integrated curriculum of classes, work and study called' Unfolding the Beauty of the Human Spirit." Current class schedule. doc
Time commitment: The minimum commitment for the program is 6 months. Occasionally, we may be able to consider commitments of less than 6 months due to extenuating circumstances, such as visa considerations or school obligations.
Email dharmavols@nyingma.org for information & application or call 510-981-1987
You can also download an application and fill out an inquiry form at here.
Trial Period: Applicants accepted into the program participate in a one month orientation and trial period. The purpose of the trial period is to confirm to our mutual agreement that the program is a good fit for the applicant. All other business and personal affairs must have been completed before arrival so that you can devote full time and attention to the program.
Weekly Schedule: Work is Monday through Saturday. The workday begins at 8 am and ends at 6:15pm with two 30 minute breaks at mid-morning and mid-afternoon and a lunch hour. A structured before-work morning practice Monday to Saturday is also offered for those wishing to establish and/or maintain a regular meditation practice. There are evening classes 5 nights a week. Various ceremonies of the Tibetan Buddhist tradition take place throughout the month as well as a weekly dedication ceremony on Saturdays. Sundays are free for chores, personal pursuits or hobbies, exploring the nearby sea shore, forests and rivers. Residents are welcome to bring their own cars, but it is not necessary. Bikes are welcome.
Daily Schedule Monday to Saturday
6:45-7:30am Morning Practice (optional)
8:00 am Work begins
10:00-10:30am Break
12:30-1:30pm Lunch
3:00-3:30pm Break
6:15 pm Work finishes
Dinner
Classes
Saturday work ends at 5:30 pm for Dedication ceremony.
Other commitments: The Work-Study program is a full-time commitment. It is not possible to hold down a job or attend regular outside commitments. If you have health or family considerations that may require time away, please indicate these dates on the application. We work year round with the exception of a 10 day break during the mid- winter holiday. Pets and children cannot accompany you. Couples are welcome to apply.
Internet and cell phones: Ratna Ling has wireless internet access in some parts of the site. There are also computer stations available for email and other online personal business. You are welcome to bring your laptop, music player and cell phone. Be sure to bring a surge protector for your electronics. Music players cannot be used during work hours. Please note that the only cell phone service available at Ratna Ling is Verizon.
Suggested reading: To become more familiar with our ways of working and practicing, we suggest two books authored by Nyingma Center's founder, Tarthang Tulku, "Gesture of Balance" and "Skillful Means" . Both are available at http://www.dharmapublishing.com and some public libraries.
© 2010 Nyingma Centers
Work at Ratna Ling
The are 3 projects within the Work-study program at Ratna Ling
Work Placement at Ratna Ling: The project work assignment for the commitment period is decided in cooperation between the applicant and the work-Study Committee during the one month trial period.
Those applying forless than 6 months will generally only be placed with the Yeshe De Tibetan Book Project. Exceptions may be made for those with specialized skills such a cooking, graphic or web design or others.
Although we endeavor to place people in areas of work that match their skills and/or interests, we encourage all applicants to be open and willing to work wherever the need is greatest.
Application process: Applications are initially screened by the Ratna Ling Work-Study Committee to determine if the applicant may be a good fit for the program. This is followed by a phone interview and reference checks. The application process can take up to 3-4 weeks.
Please note: Ratna Ling is not a place for those coping with withdrawal, unresolved emotional issues or diagnosed psychological disorders. Please do not apply if you have recently quit smoking or using other drugs, or if you have recently begun a recovery program.
More details about the Work-Study program
Expenses: participants cover their own travel expenses round trip to Ratna Ling. Depending on your travel arrangements this may include a van shuttle from either the Oakland or San Francisco airport to our closest city, Santa Rosa (about $30) and a local bus fare to bring you to the closet bus stop. (about $6) You are welcome to bring your car to Ratna Ling.
Living Allowance Stipend: Following the successful completion of the trial period , participants who make a 90 day commitment or more receive a living allowance stipend of $150 per month. A participant's commitment period begins upon his or her arrival.
Please note that accepted participants who are not US citizens may not, under the law, receive the regular living expense stipend. In some cases we are able to reimburse documented living expenses. If you are not a US citizen, we will discuss this with you at the time of your application.
Meals: Vegetarian meals are provided Monday through Saturday lunch. Saturday evenings and Sunday, residents may make their own meals using designated kitchen supplies or may reheat leftovers. Snacks are provided during the work day.
Housing: Housing at Ratna Ling is under development. Currently there are accommodations available in on- site buildings. All the housing requires an outdoor walk to the kitchen and dining area, laundry facilities and, in some cases, to the bathroom and shower facilities. Not all living quarters have adjacent bathroom facilities. Residents live in shared accommodations, usually two people to a room, supplied with bedding. Rooms are simply furnished. All bathroom, shower and laundry facilities are shared with separated stalls.Cleaning/Security Deposit: A $100.00 cash, refundable security and cleaning deposit is required upon arrival. This is held and returned to the participant at the time of their departure if living quarters are left clean and undamaged.
Community Life at Ratna Ling Participants need not have any particular relationship with Buddhism to participate, just an open-minded respect for oneself, members of the community and the place itself. While Ratna Ling does not function as a traditional monastic community, it does uphold Buddhist principles such as appropriate behavior toward others, cleanliness, and not harming animals or insects. Please be aware that all residents are asked to respect certain simple practices to help maintain the respectful atmosphere. Examples of this are wearing modest clothing during work even in hot weather, not wearing outdoor shoes indoors during meals, classes and ceremonies, and keeping rooms and common areas clean. The community setting coupled with challenging work and spiritual goals encourage the development of valuable qualities which can enrich one's life such as self-reliance, inner discipline, willingness to offer one's energy fully and work cooperatively with others.
The environment provides opportunities for personal reflection and the latitude to make positive changes in one's life. We encourage volunteers to take advantage of this unique environment by participating in classes and utilizing free time for more than the customary entertainments such as socializing, watching movies or surfing the internet. Though these activities are not restricted, we have found that people appreciate and benefit from their experience here more if they take advantage of new possibilities living in a spiritual community can accommodate. Volunteers often enjoy the beauty surrounding areas, opportunities for meditation practice, side projects in an area of interest, and developing one's knowledge and skills.
