Bestselling author and travel writer Pico Iyer presents...

Finding Your Center:

Building Resilience to Withstand Any Storm 

Aug 18 - Aug 23, 2025 in Santa Fe, USA
Led by: Pico Iyer, Chip Conley

Financial aid is available. Apply Here.

Stop Managing Chaos. Master It.

Your Reality Now:

Your phone won’t stop buzzing. Your thoughts won’t quiet down. Even your meditation app feels like work. Peace feels impossible.

What If Everything Could Change?

Stop chasing calm. Become the calm.

Join renowned author and speaker Pico Iyer for five transformative days in Santa Fe this August and discover how to transform life's chaos into unshakeable calm with wisdom.

As a bestselling author and trusted voice on how to cultivate inner peace even in turbulent times, he’s shared insights with global audiences and even collaborates closely with the Dalai Lama. And he can help you unlock that same deep reservoir of inner calm within yourself – the kind that not only transforms your daily experience but ripples out to everyone around you.

In this powerful five-day workshop with bestselling author Pico Iyer, you’ll discover what he calls "The Pilgrim's Way": time-tested practices that 

blend ancient wisdom with modern life to transform daily overwhelm into deep, unshakeable peace – creating lasting calm that ripples out to everything you do.

What You’ll Gain

In five transformative days with Pico and the MEA Team, you will: 

  • Learn practical techniques to stay calm, clear, and in control whether it’s a high-pressure meeting or a personal crisis.
  • Discover how to access deep calm in seconds – no apps, no rituals, just tools that work when you need them most.
  • Harness chaos as a powerful teacher and turn setbacks into opportunities for strength and personal growth.
  •  Move beyond surface-level interactions to forge meaningful relationships that matter.
  • Stay grounded, focused, and decisive – even when the world feels like it’s spinning out of control.

Meet Your Faculty

Pico Iyer

Bestselling Author | Leading Expert on Finding Peace in Chaos

For over 40 years, Pico has uncovered the secrets to staying grounded in a chaotic world. From conversations with the Dalai Lama to living in Zen monasteries and exploring 80 countries, he’s mastered the art of clarity and calm amidst the noise.

Why his wisdom inspires millions:

New York Times Bestseller: The Art of Stillness became an instant classic on finding peace in a restless world.

11M+ TED Views: His talks on inner peace resonate with audiences seeking balance in turbulent times.

TIME Magazine Feature: Praised as "one of our most eloquent observers of the modern journey."

Global Connections: Regularly in dialogue with spiritual leaders like the Dalai Lama and Desmond Tutu.

Pico will share his most practical, battle-tested tools for finding calm and focus when life feels overwhelming. This isn’t abstract philosophy—it’s proven wisdom you can use every day.

Chip Conley

Modern Wisdom Pioneer | Legendary Entrepreneur | MEA Founder

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. After selling his $350M boutique hotel company, Chip transformed Airbnb from startup to global giant by mastering one crucial skill – turning life's biggest transitions into breakthrough moments.

His many big wins include: 

➥ Built and sold Joie de Vivre Hotels during multiple economic crises

➥ Guided Airbnb's evolution from scrappy startup to $100B company

➥ His book Learning to Love Midlife became an instant bestseller

➥ Created MEA to help thousands navigate life's most challenging transitions

Chip will share his time-tested strategies for finding opportunity in uncertainty and building unshakeable resilience through any storm. 

This workshop is for you if...

You're overwhelmed by constant change and want to master techniques to stay calm in any crisis – from work deadlines to family emergencies.

You're navigating life transitions and long to develop an inner compass to transform uncertainty into opportunity.

You're tired of quick fixes, and ready to learn time-tested practices that blend ancient wisdom with modern science.

You're seeking authentic connection, and want to build meaningful relationships that transcend digital superficiality.

You're feeling untethered, and and ready to create an inner sanctuary that grounds you even in life's chaos.

You're excited to grow and discover how challenges become catalysts for profound personal transformation.

Do this powerful work on our beautiful regenerative ranch in Santa Fe

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.

  • Big-sky desert country
  • Breathtaking nature
  • Interaction with horses and donkeys
  • Evenings around the campfire
  • Star-gazing

Meet Your MEA Facilitators

Our trailblazing guides share hidden wonders across our 2,600-acre sanctuary, leading you from sunrise mountain hikes to secret Sangre de Cristo overlooks for unforgettable moments.

What if your greatest storms could make you unstoppable?

The Challenge: Your thoughts race, your phone demands your attention, and peace feels out of reach. But what if the chaos wasn’t the enemy—what if it held the key to unlocking your greatest strength?

The Promise: World-renowned author Pico Iyer will reveal the proven practices that have helped thousands transform overwhelm into unshakeable clarity, even in our hyper-connected world.

You'll develop an unshakable inner calm that provides immediate relief and cultivate lasting resilience that will help you navigate life's challenges with ease.

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?

Finding Your Center: Building Resilience to Withstand Any Storm

Aug 18 - Aug 23, 2025 in Santa Fe, USA
Led by: Pico Iyer, Chip Conley

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