Landscapes of Silence: A 3-Day Silent Retreat
Is financial aid for you?
We believe in making personal growth and education accessible to all, which is why we offer financial assistance on a needs-aware basis for many of our programs.
We aim to support individuals facing financial challenges, including but not limited to members of under-represented communities. Our goal is to empower those who may face barriers in pursuing their educational and professional goals. If you're experiencing financial stress that might prevent you from attending our workshops, we encourage you to apply for assistance.
Teddi Dean
Head of Mindfulness and Movement
Silence is the reset your overloaded mind has been craving.
Disconnect from digital overwhelm.
Reconnect with your inner wisdom.
Return home with lasting tools for a sense of inner peace.
In a hyperconnected world, your nervous system rarely gets a true break. Constant pings, demands, and mental chatter keep you on alert, scattered, and cut off from what matters most.
Just 3 days will calm your nervous system and restore your equilibrium.
This silent retreat is for anyone who craves deeper peace but struggles to find it amid life's relentless pace – whether you're brand new to meditation or a seasoned practitioner seeking profound renewal.
This is your sanctuary for transformation.
Led by MEA’s Head of Mindfulness and Movement, Teddi Dean, with support from Amie Tullius, and special sessions with Chip Conley and Lee Johnson at our Santa Fe ranch, where the high desert’s natural silence amplifies your inner journey.
Through guided silent meditation, gentle movement, and expert guidance, you'll dissolve stress, boost your physical and emotional wellbeing, and discover the profound healing that only silence can provide.
Return home with a renewed sense of clarity, purpose, and unshakeable inner peace that serves you long after the retreat ends.
Daily practices will include…
We will also gather together in Wisdom Pods once a day, where the silence will be broken for contemplative teaching and discussion.
While most of the retreat will be held in silence, once a day we will gather for a one-hour Wisdom Pod where Teddi, Amie, Chip and Lee will offer teachings that touch on mindfulness and wisdom traditions ranging from the Christian Mystics to Buddhism, Judaism to Sufism, and other contemplative mythology and rituals.
Each Wisdom Pod will be open for quiet discussion, but if you wish to remain in silence during these sessions, that will also be honored.
Rising Circle Ranch is nestled amidst the juniper and pinyon forests within the beautiful Galisteo Basin. Here in the high desert, silence envelops you like a gentle embrace, dissolving the low hum of anxiety that permeates modern life. This awe-inspiring landscape is the perfect environment in which to disconnect from the noise and return to your true self.
Evenings will be spent gathered around a crackling fire, the glow illuminating faces lost in contemplation. Here, you can reflect on your day's experiences, savoring the silence that wraps around you like a warm blanket. The night sky, dotted with stars, serves as a reminder of the vastness of your own inner world.
The benefits of a silent retreat can be experienced by anyone in any profession.
This silent retreat experience will serve as a powerful tool for anyone looking to reconnect with themselves and find a sense of calm amidst the noise of daily life.
Meet
Teddi Dean
Head of Mindfulness & Movement | Artist
Teddi Dean is the Head of Mindfulness and Movement here at MEA. He offers a fun, accessible and wisdom-filled approach to both mediation and yoga. Teddi teaches with a creative and authentic approach. He loves working with beginners and has a gift in showing that each and every one of us is capable of dropping into stillness
Teddi Dean grew up in Southern California where he was immersed in surf and skateboard culture. He was part of skateboard royalty as a team member of the infamous Powell and Peralta Bones Brigade. He is also an artist and has written and directed two feature films, A Holy Promise and Love Will Travel.
Supported By the MEA Team
Chip Conley
MEA Founder, Hotelier + Hospitality Entrepreneur, Bestselling Author
A three-time TED speaker on the big stage, Chip Conley is one of the world’s leading experts at the intersection of business innovation, psychology and spirituality. As one of the creators of the boutique hotel movement and the “modern elder” to the young Airbnb ...
View BioAmie Tullius
MEA Experience Facilitator
Amie Tullius is a New Mexico-based writer, gallerist, and creative collaborator. She’s spent over a decade as a gallery director, helped launch an international dance company, and has profiled and promoted artists and creators from around the world. She has an MFA in writing an ...
View BioLee Johnson
Head of Land, Livestock, and Mindfulness in Santa Fe
Lee likes to say that he’s as ordinary as dirt but as complex as soil. A former Course Director for the Colorado Outward Bound School and Certified Holistic Management Teacher, he has managed ranches in Nebraska and Tennessee as well as several ranches here in New Mexico. As ...
View BioThis Workshop Is For You If…
What you'll gain
Deep nervous system reset and cellular healing
Through soundbaths, restorative yoga, and guided meditations, you'll activate your parasympathetic nervous system and experience healing at the cellular level. The high desert's natural silence dissolves anxiety and stress patterns that have become embedded in your body.
Profound wisdom from multiple spiritual traditions
Daily Wisdom Pods with expert teachers will expose you to contemplative practices from Christian Mysticism to Buddhism, Sufism to shamanic traditions. You'll gain practical tools for navigating life's challenges with greater wisdom and spiritual depth.
Enhanced creativity and mental clarity
The combination of silence, nature immersion, and walking meditation quiets mental chatter and opens space for fresh insights. Many participants experience breakthrough creative ideas and clarity on major life decisions during and after the retreat.
Lasting mindfulness practices you can take home
You'll learn sustainable techniques for staying present and grounded in daily life, from breath awareness to nature-based meditation. These aren't just retreat experiences, they're lifelong tools for maintaining inner peace amid external chaos.
Our Agenda at a Glance
Monday:
Tuesday:
Wednesday:
Thursday:
4:00 PM: Arrival / Check-In
5:30 PM: Welcome Reception & Dinner
7:00 PM: Orientation Silence Ritual
9:00 PM: Free Time
Friday:
7:30 AM: Mind + Body
8:30 AM: Breakfast
10:00 AM: Mindfulness Meditation & Walking Meditation
1:15 PM: Lunch
2:00 PM: Free Time
3:00 PM: Walking Meditation Wisdom Pod
5:30 PM: Free Time
6:30 PM: Dinner
8:00 PM: Soundbath
Saturday:
7:30 AM: Mind + Body
8:30 AM: Breakfast
10:00 AM: Mindfulness Meditation & Walking Meditation
1:15 PM: Lunch
2:00 PM: Free Time
3:00 PM: Walking Meditation Wisdom Pod
5:30 PM: Free Time
6:30 PM: Dinner & Out of Silence Ritual Graduation
8:00 PM: Evening Gathering
Sunday:
7:00 AM: Breakfast
10:00 AM: Checkout / Departure
*Please note that not all classroom time activities take place in the actual classroom.
*Please note all times are estimates as some activities go longer or shorter depending on the group. This agenda is meant to give you an idea of the general flow of activities.
Step into transformation in the high desert
Rising Circle Ranch | Santa Fe, USA.
Our spectacular Santa Fe campus is located on an upscale regenerative ranch featuring traditional Pueblo architecture and nearly 2,600 acres of wildlife, hiking trails in the arroyo, and awe-inspiring beauty. Close to historic Santa Fe, an artisan’s mecca.
PLUS: Gourmet from-scratch meals, snacks, and drinks featuring locally sourced ingredients, made by our in-house chefs
Explore the Ranch
on Horseback
Our Rising Circle Ranch spans 2,600 acres of New Mexico high desert, offering guided horseback riding for all experience levels through diverse terrains under the vast Southwest sky
You’ll experience highlights like:
Horseback riding is an optional add-on activity you can book once you arrive on the ranch. Whether you’re seasoned or brand new to horseback adventures, this guided experience lets you discover the ranch’s natural wonders alongside our gentle horses.
Your Workshop Includes:
Three days to break the cycle of constant overdrive.
Your nervous system didn’t get frazzled overnight.
But here’s the surprise: remove distractions and immerse yourself fully, and three focused days can do what months of scattered effort can’t.
What shifts when you fully commit:
You’ll stop just thinking about meditation and start experiencing the quiet mind you’ve been chasing. Breathing techniques become second nature instead of another task on your list.
Our facilitators don’t just guide you. They help you notice the subtle moments when your whole system starts to unwind, so you can find your way back to that calm even when Monday morning chaos hits.
By the end, you’ll have more than temporary relief. You’ll know, in your bones, what real calm feels like. And once you’ve experienced that depth of quiet, everything else becomes a choice rather than an inevitability.
The real question isn’t whether you can spare three days away. It’s whether you can keep running on empty.
Book your spot today
Landscapes of Silence: A 3-Day Silent Retreat
Is financial aid for you?
We believe in making personal growth and education accessible to all, which is why we offer financial assistance on a needs-aware basis for many of our programs.
We aim to support individuals facing financial challenges, including but not limited to members of under-represented communities. Our goal is to empower those who may face barriers in pursuing their educational and professional goals. If you're experiencing financial stress that might prevent you from attending our workshops, we encourage you to apply for assistance.
Frequently Asked Questions
I’ve never done a silent retreat before – is this appropriate for beginners?
Absolutely. Our facilitators create a safe, welcoming environment perfect for first-time participants. You’ll receive gentle guidance throughout, and daily Wisdom Pods break the silence for teaching and discussion. If you need support, our faculty is always available.
Is the entire retreat held in complete silence?
Most of the retreat is silent, but we gather daily for one-hour Wisdom Pods where silence is broken for contemplative teachings and group discussion. You’re also welcome to remain silent during these sessions if you prefer. Emergency communication is always available.
What’s the daily schedule like?
Days include guided meditations both indoors and in nature, gentle movement and yoga, restorative yoga, soundbaths, walking meditation on ranch trails, and one Wisdom Pod session. Evenings are spent in contemplative gathering around the fire under the desert stars.
Do I need meditation experience to participate?
No experience necessary. Our practices are designed for all levels, from complete beginners to seasoned practitioners. Gentle movement and yoga are suitable for all abilities, and our teachers provide clear guidance for every activity.
What should I bring and what’s provided?
We provide yoga mats, meditation cushions, and all program materials. Bring comfortable clothing for movement, layers for desert weather, and personal items. Detailed packing lists are sent upon registration.
What if I find the silence too challenging?
Our experienced faculty understands this concern and provides compassionate support when needed. You can always step out for air, connect with a teacher, or adjust your participation level. Many find the high desert’s natural silence surprisingly comforting and healing.
Still deciding or have questions?
Connect with our helpful team of Advisors
Our Advisors are all MEA alumni who can offer genuine insights into our programs. They’re passionate about helping you finding the right fit to make your next chapter the best one.
Daniel Booz
Lucas Erie
Leslie Bartlett