Join us this Fall for a restorative exploration into the sacred and unfolding alchemy of resilience amidst the stunning high desert landscapes.

How does resilience reveal itself within our inner and outer landscapes?  Where does it come from? And what becomes possible when we garner and animate this buoyant life force? 

These are questions we will live into together at Ghost Ranch, where the multicolored canyons, expansive skies, and desert wisdom create a natural sanctuary for contemplative practice. As the autumn light shifts across the landscape, we’ll gather to listen deeply to what naturally abounds and nourishes.

I went on retreat expecting to ‘get away from it all,’ but what happened was I finally showed up for my life.  Between Ashley’s gentle and steady presence, connecting with the group, and just being in such beautiful nature, this rare sense of safety and possibility emerged. I reconnected with parts of myself that know how to bend without breaking—like those trees that grow sideways out of rock faces. It’s hard to explain, but I came back changed in subtle ways that matter.

About This Retreat Experience

Living Resilience is an opportunity to step into nature’s enduring and elegant blending of wisdom, mystery and might. Our gathering honors the rhythms of both practice and spaciousness, creating room for insight to emerge naturally.

Each day unfolds with:

• Morning meditation as the desert awakens
• Eco-dharma talks exploring resilience through multiple wisdom traditions
• Contemplative practices that engage our senses and natural surroundings
• Afternoons for personal reflection, rest, and exploration of the landscape
• Evening circles for integration and gentle inquiry
• A special closing evening campfire beneath the stars

Throughout our time together, we will explore resilience through four natural portals of direct experience: Connection, Beauty, Creativity, and Rest. This rhythm allows for both structure and organic unfolding.

Is This Retreat Right for You?

This retreat may resonate if you:

• Are seeking spaciousness and renewal amidst life’s complexities
• Feel drawn to contemplative practice in natural settings
• Appreciate both guided practice and time for personal reflection
• Feel called to immerse in the beauty of New Mexico’s high desert
• Are curious about how nature’s wisdom can inform your own resilience
• Welcome connecting with others within mindful community for a few days

Some familiarity with contemplative practices may be helpful. However, no previous meditation experience is required—just an openness to presence and a willingness to engage with gentle awareness and nature meditation practices. Note: We will spend most of our time outdoors which will include standing, walking and sitting on uneven terrain.

Living Resilience is a call to recognize ever-present expressions of vitality, and to honor your natural role within this living alchemy. It is also an opportunity to replenish deeply with support, inspiration and care.

What You Might Experience

During our time together, you can expect:

• Daily meditation and nature-based contemplative practices that you can continue at home
• A deeper connection with your innate capacity for resilience and creativity
• The nourishment of stunning landscapes and restorative silence
• Supportive conditions for developing compassionate awareness
• Meaningful connection with yourself and the natural world
• Opportunities to rest deeply and move at a pace that honors your needs

For years I’ve been chasing an elusive sense of balance. Ashley’s retreat actually showed me what that feels like in my body. Blending guided meditation with natural spaces helped me shed layers of tension I didn’t even know I was carrying. I came back with a quieter mind yet more energy—like I’d finally put down a heavy backpack I’d been lugging around.

Our Setting: Ghost Ranch

Our home will be the breathtaking Ghost Ranch Retreat Center (former longtime residence of the artist Georgia O’Keeffe) in Abiquiu, New Mexico. With 21,000 acres, Ghost Ranch offers magnificent natural beauty, deep multicolored canyons, plains, grasslands, and streams. The grounds feature historic architecture, multiple walking trails, and a labyrinth for walking meditation.

The spaciousness of the land itself becomes our teacher, offering perspectives that often remain hidden in our everyday environments.

Practical Details

Living Resilience Retreat includes:

• Four nights lodging (single or double occupancy)
• All meals (Sunday dinner through Thursday breakfast)
• Daily meditation guidance and eco-dharma teachings
• Contemplative practices in nature
• Evening campfire experience
• Access to Ghost Ranch’s trails and labyrinth

Schedule Overview:

• Arrival: Sunday, October 19 (3-5pm check-in, dinner at 6pm)
• Full retreat days: Monday through Wednesday
• Departure: Thursday, October 23 (closing circle after breakfast)

An Invitation

You are invited to join us—to be replenished by the wonder of the natural world and to discover the quiet strength that emerges when we pause to listen. In a world that often moves too quickly, this retreat offers the rare gift of time—time to notice, to feel, and to be present with what matters most.

Space is limited to ensure an intimate retreat experience. My nature meditation retreats typically sell out; if interested, you are encouraged to register early.

REGISTRATION TERMS

Schedule

The retreat will begin at 4:30pm Sunday, October 19th (check in begins at 3:00pm), and will conclude at 10am Thursday, October 23rd. 

To Reserve Your Spot

A non-refundable deposit of $450 + Participant Information and Waiver Form is required to reserve your spot. Tuition balances are due in full by 7/3 to maintain your spot.  Registration also includes refund and cancellation policies outlined below.

Payment Details

Payment plans are available if you register by 5/3.  Note: Tuition does NOT include transportation to and from the retreat. You’ll find more information about travel at the bottom of this page. There may also be an additional cost for a group excursion (likely in the $50 – $130pp range). I will be reaching out to early registrants about this potential option; more specifics are expected in April.

Scholarships

 I currently have a limited number of $100 scholarships that can be applied to the supported level of a Shared or Single Lodging Package. (They may not be applied towards retreat deposits.) They will be awarded on a first come, first serve basis. Note: If awarded a scholarship you will need to first get a unique scholarship code from me before registering. Please email me if interested. 

Interested in contributing to the Living Resilience scholarship fund? Please email me! I would love help in making this retreat as accessible as possible.

Refund and Cancellation Policy

Tuition is non-transferable; all deposits are non-refundable and non-transferable. Refunds (less deposit + 20% of tuition) will be provided for cancellations made by email and by 7/3. Refunds (less deposit + 20% of tuition) will only be awarded after 7/3 if the spot is filled from a retreat waitlist.

LODGING AND REGISTRATION

Coyote Building

Our group will be staying in the Coyote Building at Ghost Ranch. This modest yet comfortable adobe building features an indoor common room and an outdoor gathering space with a fire pit.

Rooms come with full bathrooms and are furnished in a Southwest theme. They also all offer direct access to a gorgeous cliff view. Some rooms feature a small sitting area as well. Bed linens and bath towels are provided.

The Coyote building is a short walk to the dining hall and a wonderful starting point for exploring the land.

Lodging Options

Lodging for Living Resilience includes single and shared (double occupancy) rooms and will be assigned on a first come, first serve basis.

If you do not get your first choice of accommodations feel free to email me to be added to a waitlist for that option. If you are registering for a shared room and wish to room with a particular person please email me, I will do my best to honor preferences. 

Registration Notes

Registration links are specific to the lodging option. PLEASE VERIFY YOU HAVE SELECTED THE APPROPRIATE OPTION BEFORE REGISTERING.

If you are interested in a scholarship, be sure to email me before registering; you will need a unique code.

A Note about Waitlists: If a spot opens up for a lodging option, before turning to the retreat waitlist it will be offered to people currently enrolled who stated a preference for that particular accommodation.

Interested in camping? Email me! Camping may become an option if we meet minimum lodging occupancy requirements.

TRAVEL INFORMATION

Getting To/From Ghost Ranch (Abiquiu, NM)

• The nearest airports are Sunport (Alburquerque) and Santa Fe Regional, about 2.25 hours and 1.5 hours drive respectively.
• You may wish to rent a car and drive yourself directly to and from Ghost Ranch. However, I will help coordinate a shuttle and/or rideshares between Sunport Airport (Alburquerque) and Ghost Ranch for those without a car. The cost of a group shuttle will depend on how many people opt in, and be determined closer to the retreat. To be part of the rideshare you will need to arrive at Sunport, with luggage in hand by noon on the 19th, and can expect to be dropped off on the 23rd around 1pm.
• The elevation in the Abiquiu area is about 6000’. If coming from a lower elevation, (particularly those closer to sea level), you are encouraged to remain well-hydrated before and during the retreat to avoid symptoms of elevation sickness. You may also appreciate arriving in NM a day before to give more time for acclimation.

Key Notes if You Will Be Flying

• Please wait to purchase a plane ticket until I directly confirm with you that our group minimum has been met.
• It is strongly recommended that you purchase trip insurance for all travel associated with this retreat.

Weather 

October is typically an ideal time of year in this region with generally moderate temperatures, minimal rain and lots of sunshine. However, there can also be a wide range of temperatures throughout a given day- highs are often in the upper 60’s/low 70’s night time lows in the upper 30’s with average daytime temperatures often in the mid 60’s.