Pico Iyer has said, “A person susceptible to wanderlust is not so much addicted to movement as committed to transformation.” Welcome to a week of wanderlusty transformation dedicated to exploring the seasons of our lives. Drawing on life stage theory, nature, poetry and mindfulness, Pico Iyer and Chip Conley (who’ve given 7 TED talks between the two of them) will be your sherpas on this journey towards happiness and fulfillment. This week will help you create a radiant roadmap for the rest of your life and to feel a deeper sense of purpose to light up all your days and nights.
This workshop is for intrepid souls and aspiring sages who seek to make sense of their midlife and beyond. Think of the wide open nature of the campus and the enchanting Santa Fe skies as a tabula rasa for how you might consciously curate the rest of your life. The workshop is perfect for anyone who can relate to this Pico Iyer quote: “We travel, initially, to lose ourselves; and we travel, next to find ourselves.” The possibilities of loss and the joys of discovery will animate our time together.
The MEA core curriculum forms the foundation of each workshop we offer and is focused on equipping you with the skills to navigate transitions, break through life obstacles and tap into your deeper life purpose.
In this workshop, be prepared for a safe crucible to explore life-altering conversations with expert faculty Pico Iyer and Chip Conley, including:
MEA's team is composed of growth-minded individuals who are passionately dedicated to providing the mindset and tools to support our collective mission to discover purpose, grow wiser, and gracefully transition through the many stages of midlife. We are rooted in our commitment to community and guided by the belief that wisdom is shared, not taught.
Pico has written 16 books on subjects ranging from the Dalai Lama and globalism to the Cuban Revolution and Islamic mysticism. He has also written a film script for Miramax, liner notes for Leonard Cohen, and introductions to more than 80 books. To date, his four talks for TED have received more than 11 million views.
Chip Conley is a hospitality entrepreneur, New York Times best-selling author, and the founder and CEO of MEA. His two most recent books, Wisdom@Work: The Making of a Modern Elder and Learning to Love Midlife: 12 Reasons Why Life Gets Better With Age, are the foundation for MEA’s curriculum.
All of MEA’s workshops are designed to support you to consciously curate the second half of your adult life. Our curriculum offers three paths through MEA content:
All workshops provide a comprehensive set of tools to use right away, a deep connection with a new community, and a 5-star hospitality experience to allow you to recharge and get ready for what’s next. You will learn:
Shift your mindset as we provide you with:
Themed in-person workshops are grounded in research based upon collaboration with academics and prestigious institutions like Stanford, UC Berkeley, Harvard, and Yale. Guest faculty weeks feature a chance to experience a deeper dive into their unique content paired with our MEA experiences.
Learning at all stages of life is the glue that drives us to purpose, community, and our evolving wellbeing. Make a commitment to staying healthier, continuing to grow, having an open mindset, and giving back to the world. Instead of “lifelong learning”, we believe “long life learning,” creates a life that is as deep and meaningful as it is long.
Discover the perfect blend of nature and luxury amenities at MEA's new Rising Circle Ranch, situated 25 minutes south of downtown. This marks our inaugural U.S. campus and is the first American “midlife wisdom school." Spanning a vast and exclusive 4-square-mile expanse, this secluded haven provides a remote yet conveniently reachable escape in the culturally vibrant Santa Fe region.
To help you plan your trip please arrive by 4PM on the start date of your workshop and depart anytime on the last date.
The cuisine of northern New Mexico is renowned for its unique blend of Native American, Spanish, and Mexican influences, resulting in dishes that feature bold flavors and a rich cultural tapestry. All meals, beverages and alcohol are included in the cost of the workshop.
We know that our entire society is made stronger when everyone has the opportunity to learn, participate, and grow, regardless of economic status. To support diverse learning we are committed to having a portion of our workshop participants receive an award. We offer two levels of financial aid on a need-aware basis.
