MEA Foundations
Landscapes of Silence: A Silent Retreat for Restoration and Renewal
Is a partial scholarship for you?
We believe in making personal growth and education accessible to everyone, which is why we offer partial scholarships on a needs-aware basis for many of our programs.
These scholarships support individuals facing financial challenges, including — but not limited to — members of underrepresented communities. If financial stress might prevent you from attending a workshop, we encourage you to apply.
Partial scholarships, provided through the Association for Growth and Education, are limited to 2–3 seats per workshop and reviewed in the order received. We recommend applying as soon as possible, as scholarship decisions are typically confirmed 90–120 days before the workshop date.
As seen in:
Yearning for stillness in a world that never slows down?
Step away from the noise and rediscover the peace and calm at the center of it all. Our Landscapes of Silence retreats offer the space, structure, and support to quiet your mind, restore your energy, and help you return home to yourself.
Taught by beloved MEA faculty
World-class accommodations
Intimate group of 28 people max
Meals, snacks, and drinks included
Silence is the reset your overloaded mind has been craving
Constant pings, demands for attention, and an endless stream of news designed to keep you on high alert leave you feeling anxious, scattered, and disconnected from what matters most.
It’s a cycle that makes even the most intentional and committed of us feel overwhelmed or exhausted, with not enough room for the clarity, joy, and fulfillment we crave.
The good news: your mind and body already know how to reclaim the harmony and equilibrium you’ve lost.
They just need the quiet space to remember how.
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 BioSaul
MEA's Resident Shaman
If you have attended one of our workshops in Baja, you’ve probably met Saul and received some wisdom from him. He is a shaman, designer, and entrepreneur who has charmed and enlightened MEAers for seven years now. Born in Mexico to a Mexican mother and Jewish father, Saul h ...
View Bio
A return to embodied presence
Our Landscapes of Silence silent retreats in Santa Fe and Baja are for anyone craving peace and struggling to find it amid life's relentless pace.
Ranging from 5 days in Baja to 3, 4, or 7 days in Santa Fe, these retreats invite you to move beyond words, sink into presence, and reclaim the innate harmony between silence and embodiment.
Members of our mindfulness and wisdom faculty will hold a sacred and nurturing container for you to rediscover the aliveness within rest – and the wholeness that emerges when body, breath, and awareness move as one.
If you’re ready to step out of the noise and find the space you need to rest, listen, and reconnect with your innermost self, our Landscapes of Silence retreats will provide you with the sanctuary you seek.
What you’ll gain from your days of restorative contemplation
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. Stillness 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.
Who this is for
Our Daily Rhythm of Renewal
Throughout each day, a balance of stillness, movement, and reflection will invite you into deeper alignment with the land and yourself:
Daily Wisdom Pods Offer 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 our wisdom faculty 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 a period of quiet discussion before returning to the shared sanctuary of stillness. If you wish to remain in silence during these sessions, your preference will be honored.
After 20+ years as a CEO I was burnt out and had no vision or energy for my next chapter. One week in Baja reenergized me and I emerged with an inspired vision for my 50s, 60s and beyond.
Aaron Hurst, Seattle, USA
The MEA Method is backed by social science, proven by years of research & implementation
Our Navigating Transitions workshops are built around our proven MEA Method, which has been designed in collaboration with academics from Stanford, Harvard, UC Berkeley, and Yale, who have dedicated themselves to understanding modern midlife.
Together we’ve developed and refined experiential processes that combine the social science of longevity and the art of intentional living to help people in midlife curate a second adulthood that’s as joyful, deep, and meaningful as it is long.
Guided by world-class faculty who’ve walked this path themselves
Our silent retreats are facilitated by members of the MEA Wisdom faculty, including: Teddi Dean (Head of Mindfulness and Movement), Amie Tullis (Author and Experience Facilitator), Lee Johnson (Head of Land, Livestock, and Mindfulness in Santa Fe), Saul Kuperstein (Resident Shaman), and Chip Conley (MEA founder and Executive Chair).
These handpicked facilitators are highly trained professionals who are all midlifers themselves and have been extensively trained in the MEA Method. They have all navigated their own periods of reinvention and bring a wealth of experience in helping others create their fulfilling next chapter. (Note: facilitators may differ depending on workshop length and location.)
Your Luxury Campus awaits
Baja, Mexico
El Pescadero Resort
A stunning oceanfront property offering all of the amenities of a luxury hotel with beautiful beaches perfect for swimming or surfing. Located on the southern tip of the Baja Peninsula, just a short drive from Todo Santos, the “Pueblo Magico”.
Santa Fe, USA
Rising Circle Ranch
An upscale regenerative ranch featuring traditional Pueblo architecture and spanning nearly 2,600 acres of wildlife, hiking trails in the arroyo, with ancient petroglyphs, and awe-inspiring beauty. Close to historic Santa Fe, an artisan’s mecca.
Nourishment for the body and soul
Throughout the week, you’ll be treated to a beautifully curated menu of fresh, organic meals designed by MEA’s Executive Chef, Krista Steinhauer and prepared by our amazing in-house chefs. Reflecting Krista’s signature artistry and devotion to mindful nourishment, each meal becomes a celebration of flavor, color, and vitality, prepared with seasonal, locally sourced ingredients that honor both the land and the spirit of this retreat.
Krista’s culinary creations are more than food, they’re an invitation to presence. Meals are served in silence, allowing you to engage your senses fully, to taste and feel each bite as an act of gratitude. In the hands of our incredible chefs, nourishment becomes art, aligning perfectly with the retreat’s rhythm of embodiment and care.
7,000+ people from 60 countries and all walks of life have experienced the magic of MEA.
Our alumni include CEOs, artists, professional athletes, homemakers, activists and everyone in between. They’re using what they’ve discovered to create a more fulfilling and vibrant next chapter for themselves. Now it’s your turn.
Come as you are and leave inspired and restored
Silent Embodiment is more than a retreat – it’s a homecoming to the self that lives beneath the noise. Stillness becomes your teacher and awareness your guide into a deeper, more intentional way of being.
And when you return to the “regular” world, you’ll discover the noise hasn’t changed – but you have. Something inside you knows how to stay anchored, intentional, and clear, no matter what the world demands.
Your All-Inclusive Luxury Retreat Includes:
4 or 5 days and nights of lodging at our world-class retreat center in Baja or Santa Fe with all of your meals, snacks, drinks and other amenities included
Daily sessions and experiential activities to help you connect with your inner self, envision your desired experience, and release what no longer serves you
Mindfulness practices to soothe your nervous system and help you cultivate greater mindfulness and presence in the moment
Movement to get the energy flowing and build your strength and agility as you chart your course forward to the life you want to live
Incredible bonding experiences with the most amazing humans you’ll ever meet
Three delicious, chef-prepared meals plus snacks throughout the day prepared from scratch with the freshest local ingredients.
Intimate gatherings to cultivate connection and celebrate the joy and beauty of life
Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly does “silent retreat” mean?
Silence at MEA is not about withdrawal – it’s about deep listening. You’ll be invited to step away from verbal communication, devices, and outside distractions to cultivate presence and clarity. You’ll still engage in movement, meditation, and community activities – just without conversation. Daily guidance, teachings, and practical instructions are shared by faculty, so you’ll always know what to expect.
Do I have to remain silent the entire time?
Most of the retreat will be held in silence, though there will be brief moments of guided discussion during our Wisdom Pods and opportunities to ask questions or share reflections if you choose. Some participants remain in full silence the entire week – others appreciate the balance of solitude and gentle connection. You’ll be supported either way.
I’ve never done anything like this before — is that okay?
Absolutely. This retreat is designed for both experienced practitioners and complete beginners. Teddi’s approach is accessible, grounded, and welcoming. You’ll be guided every step of the way, and silence will unfold naturally in a supportive environment.
What will our days look like?
Each day includes morning movement by the sea, guided meditation, quiet meals, free time for rest or reflection, and an afternoon Wisdom Pod with our faculty. Evenings end in community under the stars. The rhythm is spacious and restorative, designed to help you slow down, not keep up.
Will there be access to my phone or Wi-Fi?
We encourage participants to fully unplug during the retreat. You’ll have access to your phone for emergencies, but we ask that all devices remain off and out of sight during the program to preserve the collective stillness.
Do I need to have a yoga or meditation practice to attend?
Not at all. You’ll be guided through simple, accessible practices suitable for all levels. The emphasis is on mindful presence, not performance.
Is this retreat religious or spiritual?
This experience is non-religious and open to people of all backgrounds and beliefs. While rooted in contemplative and mindfulness traditions, the focus is on inner awareness and direct experience – not dogma or doctrine.
Can couples or friends attend together?
Yes, participants can attend with a spouse or friend, but we recommend holding silence individually. Sharing this experience side-by-side without speaking often deepens understanding and connection in unexpected ways.
What should I bring?
Comfortable clothing for yoga and movement, a light jacket for cool evenings, a journal, and an open heart. Once registered, you’ll receive a detailed packing list with everything you’ll need for a comfortable stay at MEA Baja.
What’s included in my tuition?
Tuition covers five nights of oceanfront lodging, chef-prepared meals, snacks and beverages, all programming and activities, and full use of MEA’s stunning Baja campus amenities. The only additional costs are travel to the venue and personal incidentals.
What if I’m not sure this retreat is right for me?
We’re happy to help. Book a free call with our MEA Advisors – all alumni who can share genuine insights about their experiences and help you decide if this retreat is the right fit for where you are in life.
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