2025 Desert Meditation Retreat for GBTQ Men For A Resilient Heart at Ghost Ranch Education & Retreat Center – Abiquiu, NM

This is your life. Don’t let them distract you. Don’t waste time in reaction or perfection.
You were given this precious life to be whole-hearted, simple and joyful, deeply connected, fully embodied, and free from the struggle to be anything other than you.
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For seven days,, you can unplug from your devices, catch your breath, and remember what it feels like to relax, play, and enjoy the company of other soulful gay men! In this joyful and deeply embodied meditation retreat in the red-rock grandeur of Ghost Ranch, New Mexico, we will reclaim our capacity for joyful wonder, deep resilience and peace of mind through a powerful fusion of science-backed polyvagal techniques, heart meditation, breathwork, ecstatic spiritual practices and soulful queer community in the red-rock, grandeur of Ghost Ranch, New Mexico! We will play together, laugh together, lie out on blankets gazing at the endless starry sky and watch majestic storms sweep over the landscape. We will soak in the healing springs of Ojo Caliente, unwinding the stresses of the world. We will experience the depth, richness, and magic of gay community in ways most of us have never imagined.

You will walk away with a joyful, embodied, and queer-positive foundation in sitting and walking meditation as practiced in the zen Buddhist and contemplative prayer traditions, integrated with a proven toolkit of polyvagal techniques and a deeper experience of what it means to be wholehearted, embodied, and fully human. You will cultivate a meditation practice that:

• works with the body instead of against it
• embraces our human experience instead of pushing it away
• cultivates deep relaxation instead of rigidity
• cultivates wholehearted engagement and joy instead of escape
• deepens our experience of relationship with each other
• harnesses the power of our nervous systems to heal

Perfect for beginners and experienced meditators alike, this retreat will help you discover a practice of meditation that deepens your relationships with yourself, others, and your world and transforms spiritual practice from a struggle into an experience of relaxed, joyful presence.

Each day will include sitting, chanting, and walking practice, interspersed with movement and breathing practices, heart circles, earth-honoring ceremonies, and playful group exercises exploring intimacy, relationships, our challenges and visions, and spiritual growth. Every afternoon will offer free time to unwind and build friendships that can last a lifetime, and we’ll have a play day in the middle of the retreat so we can all caravan to Ojo Caliente, a wonderful hot springs nearby. No previous experience is necessary for any of the activities; instruction, guidance, and support are provided throughout the retreat. All participants are encouraged to participate in every activity in a way that is perfect for them.​

Our home for this retreat is Ghost Ranch, the home, studio, and inspiration of the mystical painter Georgia O’Keeffe. Nestled amidst the stunning red rock scenery of New Mexico and surrounded by breathtaking hiking trails, we will use the Casa Del Sol Spiritual Retreat house for our retreat. Located two miles from Ghost Ranch’s main campus, Casa del Sol is a retreat space at Ghost Ranch dedicated to deeper spiritual contemplation in an intimate group setting. Casa del Sol is a classic, single-story adobe home built in the mid-1930s with 7 bedrooms open to a shared plaza. Three hermitages are set at the base of the multi-colored 700-foot tall cliff wall with a chimney feature standing guard. A heart-shaped labyrinth is off to the side, bordered by prayer ties and flags. We will share simple, hearty breakfasts together every morning and travel to the main dining facility for lunch and dinner. Every day will include free time to enjoy the hiking opportunities around us, gather on the patio together, or take quiet time for personal contemplation.