Creativity in the Second Half of Life
Mark Nepo
Poet, Philosopher, Spiritual Teacher and Author of 20+ Books
The creative fire doesn't dim with age – it deepens.
You’ve spent decades showing up for everyone and everything else. Careers. Kids. Aging parents. Commitments that didn’t leave much space for your own creative life.
Now something quieter but insistent is knocking – a pull toward words, images, music, movement. A longing to shape the raw material of your experience into something honest and real.
When “real life” has crowded out your creative life.
Maybe you used to write, paint, sing, or make things – and somewhere along the way, that part of you went underground.
Maybe you never called yourself “creative,” but you feel a restlessness you can’t quite name, a sense that there’s more of you that wants to be lived.
At midlife, you're asking:
What does it mean to age consciously?
How do I stay creative when the world expects me to slow down?
What wants to emerge in these vital decades ahead?
Left unattended, those questions can harden into regret.
What you really want from this next chapter
You don’t want pressure to produce a masterpiece or turn your creativity into a “second-act career.” You want a space where your life, in all its beauty and complexity, is taken seriously as raw material for expression.
You want:
It's time to inhabit your life as the work of art it was always meant to be.
That’s what this immersive retreat with poet and spiritual teacher Mark Nepo offers.
Mark is a cancer survivor, New York Times bestselling author, and beloved MEA faculty member whose work has helped millions live more creatively and spiritually awake.
Over five days at MEA’s oceanfront Baja campus, Mark will guide you to explore creativity not as a talent test, but as a way of being in the world – one rooted in presence, honesty, and wholehearted engagement with your “fifth season,” the richly textured second half of life.
Through stories, poetry, gentle teaching, and conversation, you’ll discover how to let your lived experience – not external achievement – shape what wants to emerge now.
You’ll be held in MEA’s signature intimate setting and world-class oceanfront retreat, where you can connect directly with Mark, be witnessed by others on a similar path, and feel both stretched and supported as you experiment with new ways of expressing yourself.
After five days with Mark in Baja, you’ll:
All of this unfolds in MEA’s “small circle, big heart” environment, with world-class hospitality, ocean air, nourishing chef-made meals, and an intimate learning setting that invites both quiet reflection and joyful connection.
This Workshop
Is For You If…
Listen to Chip and Mark Nepo on the Midlife Chrysalis podcast:
Mark Nepo: How to Stay Creative, Awake, and Fully Alive in Midlife
Meet Your Faculty
Mark Nepo
Poet, Philosopher, Spiritual Teacher, and Author of 20+ Books
Mark Nepo is what happens when profound wisdom meets accessible heart. A cancer survivor who’s spent decades translating the insights of spiritual traditions into the language of daily life, he's guided millions of readers through his books, including the New York Times bestseller The Book of Awakening.
His work has been called “a masterclass in what it means to be human” by Elizabeth Gilbert, and Parker Palmer describes him as “one of the finest spiritual guides of our time.”
I confess, very simply, that it is humbling to age and exciting to be fully here. After so many years, I feel like a man who has been turned inside out by life and this has made me a student of the inside of everything. ~ Mark Nepo
Supported By the MEA Team
Barbara Tint
Content Facilitator
Barbara Tint, PhD, is a social/political psychologist, university professor, global trainer and published author. She has lived all around the world, bringing a deep international and intercultural lens to all that she does. She is a trained improviser and award winning storytell ...
View BioCaitlin Allen
MEA Experience Facilitator
Caitlin Allen, based in Baja California Sur, works in wellness, environment, and community sectors as Social Impact Manager for MEA Baja. She co-founded Alianza Cero Basura, championing waste management improvement. Passionate about regenerative living, she also curates transform ...
View BioOur Agenda at a Glance
Monday:
4:00 PM: Check-In / Welcome
5:30 PM: Welcome Reception & Dinner
7:00 PM: Orientation Session
Tuesday:
7:00 AM: Mind + Body
8:30 AM: Breakfast
10:00 AM: Classroom Time
1:15 PM: Lunch
2:00 PM: Free Time
3:00 PM: Classroom Time
5:30 PM: Free Time
6:30 PM: Dinner
6:30 PM: Evening Gathering
Wednesday:
7:00 AM: Mind + Body
8:30 AM: Breakfast
10:00 AM: Classroom Time
1:15 PM: Lunch
2:00 PM: Free Time
3:00 PM: Classroom Time
5:30 PM: Free Time
6:30 PM: Dinner
6:30 PM: Evening Gathering
Thursday:
7:00 AM: Mind + Body
8:30 AM: Breakfast
10:00 AM: Classroom Time
1:15 PM: Lunch
2:00 PM: Free Time
3:00 PM: Classroom Time
5:30 PM: Free Time
6:30 PM: Dinner
6:30 PM: Evening Gathering
Friday:
7:00 AM: Mind + Body
8:30 AM: Breakfast
10:00 AM: Classroom Time
1:15 PM: Lunch
2:00 PM: Free Time
3:00 PM: Classroom Time
5:30 PM: Graduation
6:00 PM: Celebration Dinner
Saturday:
7:00 AM: Breakfast
11:00 AM: Checkout / Departure
Sunday:
*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.
Discover yourself on Baja's wild coast
Estrella del Mar | Baja, Mexico
Our oceanfront campus provides the perfect backdrop for deep reflection and creative exploration. Wake to the sound of waves, practice meditation on the beach, and gather for meals that nourish both body and conversation.
PLUS: Gourmet from-scratch meals, snacks, and drinks featuring locally sourced ingredients from our organic garden, made by our in-house chefs.
Your workshop includes:
Your most creative years start now.
You’re standing at the threshold of your most creative years – where wisdom meets wonder, and every story, scar, and insight becomes luminous raw material for new expression.
Over five days with Mark Nepo and the MEA team, you’ll:
This is about claiming this season as your time to play, express, and come fully alive.
The most vibrant chapters of your life are still ahead – waiting for you to say yes.
Book your spot today
Creativity in the Second Half of Life
The program was spectacular. It really surpassed my expectations. I was really surprised about how the course was curated. There was such a warm intensity and personal touch to it.
I experienced MEA as a newly diagnosed multiple myeloma cancer patient, and as a result of the things I’ve learned - I’ve banished the anxiety of being a cancer victim, am in remission, and living with a newfound energy and purpose.
Just know how grateful I am for the joy fuel you all put in my rocket ship. When I want to feel loved or just need a good smile I can think of my time at MEA, which came at the perfect time to encourage me on my journey. Thank you!
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes this different from other creativity workshops?
This isn’t about producing art or learning techniques. It’s about inhabiting your life as a work of art. Mark combines decades of spiritual insight with practical frameworks for living creatively in the second half of life. You’ll experience profound inner work alongside tangible practices for everyday living.
Do I need to be a writer or artist to benefit?
No. The creativity Mark teaches is about living authentically, not creating products. Whether you’re a CEO, teacher, parent, or in any life transition, these frameworks apply to anyone seeking to live more fully in their remaining decades.
What's included in the investment?
Everything: five days of workshop sessions with Mark Nepo and the MEA team, luxury oceanfront accommodation at MEA’s retreat center, all gourmet meals and snacks, group experiences, and access to the 24-person intimate learning environment. The only additional costs are flights to Los Cabos and personal expenses.
What does a typical day look like at the retreat?
Each day begins with beach meditation followed by breakfast together. You’ll experience two main sessions with Mark covering topics like “The Soul’s Calling” and “Following Your Thread,” interspersed with reflective journaling, small group exercises, and Q&A time. Afternoons include experiential activities, beach time, and personal reflection. Evenings feature communal dinners and intimate gatherings around shared stories and insights.
Will there be opportunities for individual reflection and journaling?
Absolutely. The retreat includes dedicated journaling time built into each session, plus unstructured periods for personal reflection by the ocean. Mark specifically asks participants to bring a journal, as writing and self-reflection are integral to the experience. You’ll have both guided prompts and free time to process your insights privately.
What makes this location special for this particular work?
The oceanfront setting in El Pescadero provides the perfect backdrop for exploring Mark’s “fifth season” concept. The rhythm of waves mirrors the contemplative pace needed for deep inner work, while the convergence of desert, mountains, and sea embodies the meeting place of life’s different phases. The clear night sky and natural beauty create an environment where, as Mark says, “there’s very little left in the way” of authentic presence.
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