Owning Wisdom with guest faculty Dacher Keltner

Cultivating Awe

Dec 16 - Dec 21, 2024 in Baja, Mexico
Led by: Dacher Keltner, Thérèse O'Neill, Teddi Dean

Financial aid is available. Apply Here.

Awe transforms your heart, mind, and soul and awakens you to the transcendent beauty of life

How do we begin to quantify the goose bumps we feel when we see the Grand Canyon, or our utter amazement when we watch a child walk for the first time?

The experience of awe may seem too vast and immeasurable to understand through the lens of science. Yet recent scientific research into the functions and impact of emotions proves that awe has the power to transform our minds and bodies. Humans have survived over the course of evolution thanks to our ability to cooperate, form communities, and create culture – and all of these capacities are spurred by awe.

Awe allows you to transcend the confines of your individual self and feel infinitely more connected to the world around you. It expands your understanding and reduces polarization within society and within your own internal self.

When you consciously cultivate an abiding sense of wonder and mystery, life becomes richer, more meaningful and profound – and you will find yourself overflowing with love and gratitude for the precious gift of existence. 

In this Owning Wisdom workshop co-facilitated with Dacher Keltner, the director of the Greater Good Science Center, you will take an inspired dive into the science behind mystery and wonder and discover how cultivating awe can lead to connection, cooperation, and a transformed understanding of yourself as belonging to a larger community.

What you’ll gain

Through a combination of our MEA Owning Wisdom curriculum and Dacher’s science-backed deep-dive exploration of awe, you will:

  • Explore the manifestation of mystery and wonder across history and cultures, as well as from a more intimate personal perspective
  • Discover the common “awe triggers” that open your heart and mind to the experience of awe in everyday life
  • Investigate the role that awe has played in your personal life and the impact it can have on your mindset and overall well-being
  • Discover the role that nature plays in activating your sense of awe and helping you cultivate a possibilities-focused mindset and greater presence in the moment
  • Learn how to lean into awe as a way to quiet the nagging, self-critical, overbearing, status-conscious voice of your self or ego
  • Explore the awe-gratitude connection and how experiencing awe and wonder helps you feel more profoundly thankful for your existence here on Earth
  • Discover simple daily practices that allow you to experience a deep sense of wonder that helps you feel more deeply connected to the universe around you
  • Experience how awe can help boost your self-esteem, improve your relationships, and help you show up as the transcendent human you are

By the end of your five days with Dacher and the MEA faculty, you will feel like your heart, mind, and soul have expanded, transforming your understanding of reality and deepening your sense of connection with the world around you.

You will be energized and inspired and find it so much easier to live in a state of gratitude and abundance.

Meet your faculty

Dacher Keltner

Author of Awe: The New Science of Everyday Wonder and How It Can Transform Your Life

Professor of Psychology at UC Berkeley | Director of the Greater Good Science Center

Dr. Keltner is one of the world’s foremost emotion scientists. He has over 200 scientific publications and six books, including Born to Be Good, The Compassionate Instinct, and The Power Paradox. He has written for many popular outlets, from The New York Times to Slate.

Dr. Keltner was the scientific advisor behind Pixar’s Inside Out and is involved with the education of health care providers and judges.

He has consulted extensively for Google, Apple, and Pinterest on issues related to emotion and well-being. His research interests include emotion, social interaction, conflict and negotiation, and culture.

He is the host of two podcasts: The Science of Happiness and Happiness Break. 

This workshop is for you if...

You’re searching for answers to the big questions about life, the universe, and everything

You yearn to experience more awe, wonder, and transcendence in your life

You love delving into the mysteries of existence but also have one foot firmly planted in the world of science

You’re looking for a deeper sense of connection to others and to the world around you 

You’re searching for a new way to access the eternal or divine because the old ways no longer work

You’re feeling disconnected from nature and want to reimmerse yourself in the vast beauty of the world in a breathtaking location

You want to learn simple daily practices to reduce stress and cultivate lasting joy and gratitude 

You’re ready to release what no longer serves you and show up in the world as the awesome human being that you are

Do this powerful work on our awe-inspiring beachside campus in Baja

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”.

  • Beach walks
  • Poolside lounging
  • Warm ocean waves
  • Fire pits
  • Magical sunsets

Meet your MEA facilitators

In addition to the powerful sessions conducted by Dacher, you will be guided through the core MEA Owning Wisdom curriculum by our faculty members:

Thérèse O'Neill

MEA Facilitator Lead

Thérèse O’Neill is the Facilitator Lead for MEA’s Baja campus. She is a longtime educator in California and in Mexico, working with Nest Global to provide education access to young asylum seekers and refugees. She holds degrees from UC Berkeley and Stanford, with a background in trauma-informed education and psychology. She is a resident of Baja, where she makes textiles and travels in her free time.

Teddi Dean

Head of Mindfulness and Movement

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 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.

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You are the universe experiencing itself

Awe is the emotion that allows you to transcend the confines of your limited, individualistic self and connect with the vast and unknowable universe of which you are an integral part.

When you are feeling lost, confused, alone, or disconnected, awe is the light that will shine the way home.

Are you ready to embrace the boundless wonder and mystery of life?

People come for the workshops,
but they stay for the community

This is truly MEA’s “secret sauce” and something you can only experience in person: the powerful connections you will make, not only with your fellow participants and the incredible MEA faculty, but also the deeper sense of connection you will feel to your own inner self and the natural world around you.

Research into aging shows that your relationships play a HUGE role in your health and wellbeing later in life. At MEA, you will make deep and lasting connections and become part of a larger community that will make your life richer and more meaningful.

Many of our alumni cohorts have stayed in close touch for years after their workshop and we have a growing number of local alumni chapters all over the world. It’s a joy for us to see them continuing to offer each other community, friendship, and support as they create thriving midlives for themselves. So if you have been feeling at all disconnected or isolated on your journey, we would love to have you join us!

Have we mentioned the food?

The MEA experience is designed in part by Chip Conley, a world-renowned boutique hotelier, which means the food is amazing.

All of the ingredients are locally sourced, organic, and made from scratch in our kitchens by hand-picked chefs. The delicious breakfasts, lunches and dinners will leave you feeling nourished inside and out – not to mention the blended drinks made with fresh fruit and other top-shelf ingredients. 


Each retreat center has multiple kitchens that always have snacks and beverages available. At MEA, we believe that thriving is delicious!

Your Workshop Includes

  • 5 days and nights of lodging at our boutique luxury 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
  • Meditation covering a range of 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.
  • Festive gatherings to cultivate connection and celebrate the joy and beauty of life.

Tuition starts at $4,000

Ready to start your journey?

Cultivating Awe

Dec 16 - Dec 21, 2024 in Baja, Mexico
Led by: Dacher Keltner, Thérèse O'Neill, Teddi Dean

Step into your next chapter with confidence and ease, knowing that every detail of your experience is being taken care of by our world-class faculty and hospitality team.

Starting at

$4,000 per person

Financial aid is available. Apply Here.

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

Dana Anton

Lucas Erie