A Northern California Retreat Center and B & B

Reviews and Testimonials

Here Comes The Guide, continued...

Shambhala is halfway between Ukiah and the coastal town of Mendocino and, thanks to the beautiful drive, we were already in a pleasantly altered state by the time we got there. "There" is a custom-built retreat and workshop center, nestled in 140 acres of rolling hills. The land was originally setted by Germans and Finns in the late 1800s, and you can still see an old wood building used for drying fruit just below the main house.

Stepping into the house only increased our sense of well being. It's constructed of redwood (milled on the property), which lends warmth to walls, beamed ceilings and trim throughout. Arched brick fireplaces and entryways manage to be both rustic and elegant at the same time. Homey, personal touches abound: an eclectic assortment of masks on the stairwell walls, collectibles in niches, colorful area rugs and comfortable furnishings placed around the gleaming hardwood floors.

And of course there are windows everywhere, welcoming in the sunlight and views of the surrounding hills. The spacious meeting room, which can be used for meetings, yoga, indoor receptions or dancing, has its own sound system, and opens onto a large deck and lawn. Upstairs bedrooms are light and airy, and two of them share a deck with a view of the forested hills, and the glimmering pond. If you like, music of your choice can be played throughout the house and decks. And, as wonderful as all this looks during the day, nighttime at Shambhala is just as breathtaking: the house and grounds are subtly lit, and the clear sky may as well be a swath of black velvet, embedded with stars and the bright streaks of wayward meteors.

The grounds reveal more delightful surprises. There's a spring-fed pond that's excellent for swimming, and a clear stream with its own little waterfall and rock formations. Nearby orchards supply a variety of fruits, while vegetables and herbs are grown in a backyard garden area (which also happens to have patio tables and market umbrellas - in case you want to have a casual brunch or small reception).There are paths that lead you through a redwood forest, and to upper elevations with fantastic views. There's a large, grassy knoll where Indians once lived (a great place for meditation), and a multi-purpose meadow. Your ever-thoughtful hosts have also provided a pondside hot tub with a massage table under the trees, for the ultimate relaxing experience.

Weddings, retreats, family reunions and private parties all find a serene and spiritually uplifting home here. Although the ranch is quite civilized, civilization as we generally know it intrudes very little -- you won't even see any electrical or telephone lines, as the center is solar powered. The quiet beauty of the landscape has a healing effect, which is only fitting for a place called "Shambhala." The name comes from a legendary Himalayan kingdom, where an enlightened society lived by a set Tibetan Buddhist teachings. One of them is that there is some magic in everything, waiting for each individual to discover it. Shambhala Ranch's magic lies not so much in its obvious natural gifts, but in the way it can help you find your own."

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