Start with Stillness: A New Year Silent Retreat
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.
Teddi Dean
MEA's Head of Mindfulness & Movement | Former Bone Brigade team member
Step into 2027 calm, grounded, and clear – instead of distracted and running on empty
The world has never felt louder.
With the endless onslaught of dire headlines, growing to-do lists, and technology designed to keep us distracted and drained – the constant buzz of urgency pulls us in a dozen directions at once.
By the time the year ends, many of us are running on empty.
Our nervous systems are overloaded. Our minds are cluttered. We crave peace, but rarely give ourselves permission to truly stop.
What if you began 2027 differently – in silence, not in overdrive?
Imagine starting the year not by pushing forward, but by pausing — not with goals and resolutions, but with quiet and reflection.
In the stillness, you begin to notice what your body already knows: how tired you’ve been, how much you’ve been carrying, and how ready you are to return to yourself.
Where the vast desert meets the endless sea, silence reveals its truest form
At MEA Baja, perched above the Pacific in the quiet village of El Pescadero, stillness arises naturally from the landscape itself.
The rhythm of the tides, the whisper of the wind through the cardón cactus, and the fiery glow of sunset all conspire to guide you inward, toward your own inner shore. There is no more powerful way to begin the new year than by stepping into this profound quiet, allowing the year ahead to emerge from clarity, presence, and deep connection to yourself.
If you’re ready to begin the year in a place of profound calm and clarity, join us in Baja for a five-day silent retreat this January.
It’s a rare invitation to step out of the noise of daily life and listen deeply – to the breath, the body, and the wisdom that has always lived within you.
Over five nourishing days of silence, you’ll be gently guided by MEA’s mindfulness and wisdom faculty: Teddi Dean (Head of Mindfulness and Movement), Chip Conley (MEA Founder), Amie Tullis (Writer and MEA Experience Facilitator), and Saul Kupertien (Resident Shaman).
Together they’ll hold a safe, nurturing container for you to soften, listen, and remember what it feels like to move in rhythm with nature and your own true self.
Start your mornings with gentle movement by the sea
Each morning begins with the rising sun spilling gold across the Pacific. You’ll be guided into stillness on our beachfront yoga platform, breathing with the tide, feeling the warmth of the earth beneath your feet. Movement unfolds like meditation, inviting the body to awaken with grace and ease.
The sound of the waves becomes a steady companion as we sit together in silence, attuning to the rhythm of nature and the quiet pulse of our own hearts. These early hours are an offering, an invitation to arrive fully, to soften into presence, and to begin each day with openness, wonder, and intention for the new year.
Enjoy a spacious daily rhythm designed to bring you home to yourself
Break the silence once a day in thoughtful Wisdom Pods that invite deeper contemplation
Each afternoon, you’ll gather for Wisdom Pods—one-hour teachings led by Teddi Dean,Chip and Amie, drawing from contemplative traditions and lived experience. During these sessions, silence will be gently lifted to allow for teaching and quiet discussion. Those who wish to remain in silence throughout will be fully honored.
Wisdom Pods
End each day in quiet community beneath the stars
As the sun melts into the Pacific, we’ll gather in a quiet community on our beachfront yoga platform. The rhythmic sound of the waves becomes our evening chant, the ocean breeze our breath. Under a canopy of stars, silence glows, alive and tender, inviting reflection, gratitude, and a deep sense of belonging to the vastness that holds us all.
Evenings here offer the perfect closure to each day, anchoring your new year in stillness and presence.
Who This Retreat Is For
This retreat is for anyone drawn to reconnect with what is simple, real, and restorative:
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
What you'll gain
A calm and centered start to the year
Step away from the noise and begin 2027 with a grounded sense of peace that anchors you through whatever comes next.
Renewed clarity and focus
Silence has a way of revealing what truly matters. You’ll leave with a clearer mind and a steadier direction for the months ahead.
A restored nervous system and rested body
Daily movement, meditation, and rest recalibrate your energy so you can move through life with greater ease and resilience.
Tools for bringing stillness home
Learn simple mindfulness practices and rhythms of reflection you can carry with you long after you leave Baja.
A deeper connection to yourself and the natural world
In the meeting place of desert and sea, rediscover your belonging to something larger, quieter, and infinitely wise.
Our Agenda at a Glance
Monday:
4:00 PM: Arrivals
5:00 PM: Welcomes with drinks
6:00 PM: Intro of Staff and Dinner
7:00 PM: Orientation & If You Really Knew Me in classroom
Tuesday:
6:00 AM: Coffee + Tea + Fruit
7:00 AM: Mind-Body
8:30 AM: Breakfast
9:00 AM: Free Time
10:00 AM: Logistics & Circle
11:30 AM: Meditation
1:00 PM: Lunch
2:00 PM: Free Time
3:00 PM: Meditation + Wisdom Pod
5:30 PM: Sound Bath
6:30 PM: Dinner
Wednesday:
6:00 AM: Coffee + Tea + Fruit
7:00 AM: Breakfast
7:30 AM: Mind-Body
8:30 AM: Breakfast
9:00 AM: Free Time
10:00 AM: Logistics & Circle
11:30 AM: Meditation
1:00 PM: Lunch
2:00 PM: Free Time
3:00 PM: Meditation + Wisdom Pod
5:30 PM: Free Time
6:30 PM: Dinner and Fireside Music
Thursday:
6:00 AM: Coffee + Tea + Fruit
7:00 AM: Breakfast
7:30 AM: Mind-Body
8:30 AM: Breakfast
9:00 AM: Free Time
10:00 AM: Logistics & Circle
11:30 AM: Meditation
1:00 PM: Lunch
2:00 PM: Free Time
3:00 PM: Meditation + Wisdom Pod
5:30 PM: Free Time
6:30 PM: Dinner and Fireside Music
Friday:
6:00 AM: Coffee + Tea + Fruit
7:00 AM: Breakfast
7:30 AM: Surfing
8:30 AM: Breakfast
9:00 AM: Free Time
10:00 AM: Logistics & Circle
11:30 AM: Meditation
1:00 PM: Lunch
2:00 PM: Free Time
3:00 PM: Meditation
4:30 PM: Graduation Photo, Ceremony, and Fiesta
Saturday:
7:00 AM: Breakfast
10:00 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.
Is It Safe to Travel to Baja?
If recent news about Mexico has you second-guessing a trip, we get it. Here's what you should know.
Our campus is in Baja California Sur, a quiet stretch of the Pacific coast between Todos Santos and Cabo. Think surf breaks, organic farms, and dirt roads that lead to empty beaches. It's about as far from the headlines as you can get.
The U.S. State Department gives Baja California Sur a Level 2 advisory, the same rating as France, Italy, and the United Kingdom. There are no travel restrictions for U.S. citizens or government personnel anywhere in the state, and Baja California Sur is consistently ranked one of Mexico's two safest states. Flights and ground travel throughout the region are running normally with no disruptions.
Our upcoming workshops are booking as expected, and we continue to welcome guests to campus every month. Nothing has changed on the ground here.
Still have questions? We're happy to talk it through. Contact us here.
Your Workshop Includes:
This is Your Invitation to Begin the Year Anew
The Desert Meets the Sea is more than a pause from the outer world, it’s a return to your natural state of presence. Here, where the desert breathes into the ocean, you’ll rediscover the quiet joy of simply being alive.
Step into the new year from a place of clarity, openness, and connection, leaving grounded, renewed, and attuned to the vast, quiet beauty that lives where the desert meets the sea, and within you.
Book your spot today
Start with Stillness: A New Year Silent Retreat
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.
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
