Esalen holds a rich legacy of exploring altered states of consciousness. Since its inception in 1962, the Institute has been a leading sanctuary for personal awakening and transformation. The journey began with Myron Stolaroff's 1962 workshop, Drug-Induced Mysticism, and continued through notable figures such as Timothy Leary, Richard Alpert, and Stanislav Grof as they grappled with the deep implications of their psychedelic adventures. John Lilly's work with sensory deprivation, along with Terence McKenna's and Rick Doblin's contributions across the decades, further cemented Esalen's central role as a container in which great minds of the psychedelic movement could press on. Today, opportunities for legalization at state and, potentially, federal levels are emerging after decades of criminalization.
Yet, “altered states” encompasses much more than psychedelics. Esalen has also been a setting to explore other consciousness-expanding practices — including dance, drumming, humanistic psychology, and more — for revelations of the self. Gabrielle Roth's ecstatic dance and Babatunde Olatunji's drumming sessions used movement and rhythm to create connections and unfold epiphanies. The human potential movement encourages those who seek to also unpack. Esalen, today, is here to hold those seeking to integrate, process, and share the complex lessons gleaned from transformative experiences.
This exploration is as relevant as ever — and even more necessary. This month and the next, we will be sharing some of that history off campus, outside of the cozy Esalen bubble. Voices of Esalen host Sam Stern and Esalen faculty Erik Davis will speak about the History of Altered States at Esalen on July 12 at The Alembic in Berkeley. There will be a second off-campus experience, a dynamic night celebrating Esalen history and its practices, on August 16 at Los Angeles' Philosophical Research Society with Sadia Bruce, JJ Jeffries, and Sam Stern. (There is a Zoom option for those who want to tune in from home.) For those who can make their way to Big Sur, our Altered States: Pathways to Expansion workshop returns on September 9–13. Marques Redd, Stacia Butterfield, and Andrew Holecek will lead this year’s festival. Join us for any and all!
Your life is busy. We get it. It is challenging to find your you time. In keeping scheduling constraints and the desire for transformation in alignment, we designed an intensive week for those in need of a mindful, accelerated reset. This immersive 7-day journey promises a heightened, rigorous experience for the heart, mind, body, and spirit, including integrative bodywork and coaching sessions before, during, and after. This program is designed for those ready to recalibrate, find some space while also feeling called to kick some changes into gear. Expect a balance of intensities: Engage in Esalen lineage practices each morning — sensory awareness, breathwork, intuitive movement, and Gestalt practice — and then enjoy woven-in time to reflect and integrate. You can’t go deep without feeling raw, and with your cohort, you will build community with people to nourish you on a path forward. This is a new condensed yet meaty experience created for those who dare to do the hard work in order to welcome the transformative rewards of a life well lived.
Last month, shamanic practitioner Langston Kahn spent a few weeks with us to teach about animism and the embodied understanding that all of life is ensouled. This devotion to the natural world continues with Lindsay Branham’s August workshop exploring erotic ecology. The psychologist and Buddhist eco-doula will share practices for reclaiming a deep and connected relationship with the Earth, using erotic ecology as a pathway to discover the magic of Esalen and rediscover our lifeforce.
The interfaith couple and workshop leaders of Turning Your Heart to Love share about the deep love they have for their work — including their non-profit school in Israel — and the importance of exploring spirituality in a frightening, fractured world: "Otherwise, we're lost.”
We take a retrospective soak in some of the history of this cherished healing space. The stories have been flowing for decades — from Hunter S. Thompson to Steve McQueen, Robin Williams, and some suspected CIA and KGB members.
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He came to Esalen in the early ’60s, cleaning up at night, and left an indelible mark on the Farm and Garden. Dick Horan’s memories bring us back to an early era of experimentation: “Whatever we could pull together, we would pull it. It was a really wonderful time.”
We get to know the leaders of this summer’s Queer Liberation: Setting Your Inner Child Free Through Creative Expression and their thoughts on healing through expression, favorite mutant superheroes, and much more.
Our new head of workshop programming shares her appreciation for everything the Institute offers — the edgy, sacred, experimental, and slightly disreputable ("all traits that I aspire to cultivate in my life!”) — and reveals an infectious enthusiasm for Esalen’s complexity.
With this summer reading list, we embrace obstacles as a grand set of brilliant opportunities. Everything can be met with grace and become a chance for growth. And we can rise to any challenge with support.
He came to Esalen in the early ’60s, cleaning up at night, and left an indelible mark on the Farm and Garden. Dick Horan’s memories bring us back to an early era of experimentation: “Whatever we could pull together, we would pull it. It was a really wonderful time.”
We get to know the leaders of this summer’s Queer Liberation: Setting Your Inner Child Free Through Creative Expression and their thoughts on healing through expression, favorite mutant superheroes, and much more.
Our new head of workshop programming shares her appreciation for everything the Institute offers — the edgy, sacred, experimental, and slightly disreputable ("all traits that I aspire to cultivate in my life!”) — and reveals an infectious enthusiasm for Esalen’s complexity.
With this summer reading list, we embrace obstacles as a grand set of brilliant opportunities. Everything can be met with grace and become a chance for growth. And we can rise to any challenge with support.
He came to Esalen in the early ’60s, cleaning up at night, and left an indelible mark on the Farm and Garden. Dick Horan’s memories bring us back to an early era of experimentation: “Whatever we could pull together, we would pull it. It was a really wonderful time.”
We get to know the leaders of this summer’s Queer Liberation: Setting Your Inner Child Free Through Creative Expression and their thoughts on healing through expression, favorite mutant superheroes, and much more.
Our new head of workshop programming shares her appreciation for everything the Institute offers — the edgy, sacred, experimental, and slightly disreputable ("all traits that I aspire to cultivate in my life!”) — and reveals an infectious enthusiasm for Esalen’s complexity.
With this summer reading list, we embrace obstacles as a grand set of brilliant opportunities. Everything can be met with grace and become a chance for growth. And we can rise to any challenge with support.
Esalen Institute
55000 Highway 1
Big Sur, CA 93920
US: 1-831-667-3000
info@esalen.org
