Here at Esalen, innovation is not an abstract concept. It is a practical tool for personal growth and social transformation. By cultivating curiosity and embracing innovation, we create a more vibrant and resilient world.
Those who forge new paths often do so by experimenting with the latest emerging tools. To that end, we felt karmically curious to enlist ChatGPT, the artificial intelligence-powered bot the digital world’s buzzing about, to assemble our March newsletter. Shouldn’t this innovative AI tech, specifically created to write copy, be the perfect instrument to articulate our theme of innovation?
The text-generating program threw together sentences, amalgams of buzzwords culled from books, articles, and other online materials. It was only a pastiche. Functional but dry. There’s only so much automation can do. To animate a concept, to bring it into focus with passion and imbue it with energy and meaning, requires that human touch. Guidance, feedback, time, and love — the forces necessary for growth. Everything Esalen offers for guests, faculty, and all who descend the hill.
This month’s newsletter explores a few ways Esalen’s curious spirit has kept the institute at the forefront of Big Thinking — stretching us to continue our legacy of dreaming, discovering, and supporting new innovation. We don’t attempt to cover it all, but we wanted to give you a little glimpse of some of the cool stuff Esalen has helped grow within this edge-of-the-world microcosm. We invite you to take it all in and come do your own experimenting! New sprouts peek up through the ground here every day.
We’ve experimented a lot here at Esalen over 60 years. Theories have been tried and tested on this sacred land — some permeating into our day-to-day lives. Other ideas have been somewhat less successful — valiant attempts that fell short or fizzled away. But there have also been transformative breakthroughs developed right here. Ideas that have reshaped and disrupted the fields of education, personal growth, psychology, psychedelics, and somatics.
Check out our latest video that touches on some of the curiosities that sparked innovation over the decades by many who spent time at Esalen.
The possibilities of the human future transcend beyond the power of our imagination. We suspect that our creative capacity, like the universe itself, is ultimately limitless. The world mostly knows of Esalen for our leading-edge public workshops. Yet, there is another, lesser-known Esalen that incubates and fosters big thinking. Although only accessible by invitation, when a CTR conference is in session, we frequently host a Wednesday evening event that features a curious and innovative element of the conference for workshop and program attending visitors to experience.
“This is where the three waters meet.” When most consider Esalen’s rare convergence of mineral, sea, and fresh waters, they usually focus on the geothermal hot springs or the awe-inspiring ocean, but what about the fresh waters cascading from the mountains to nourish staff and guests? “We’re just grabbing it as it’s on its way to the sea,” says Maintenance Specialist Bryan Scott. To demystify the process behind our daily water supply, Bryan explains the Esalen system and efficient living through hydrological tech.
If a weekend or a week workshop isn’t enough, imagine if you could stay longer and press pause on your everyday life. Dedicate four weeks to explore yourself and start the journey of personal transformation in one of our Live Extended Education Programs. If you’re ready to take the LEEP, we’re accepting applications for these exciting programs.
The Art and Science of Personal Transformation: Clearing Unhelpful Patterns and Acquiring New Tools, May 6 – June 2, 2023 with Devarshi Steven Hartman
The Essence of Esalen: Heart, Mind, Body, Spirit, Community, June 3 – July 1, 2023 with Sadia Bruce, J.J. Jeffries, Cara Chandler, and Douglas Drummond
Integrative Gestalt Coaching, July 1–29, 2023 with Perry Holloman and Johanna Holloman
Meditation as Medicine for the Mind: Tibetan Yogic Practices for Health and Well-being, July 29 – August 26, 2023 with Alejandro Chaoul
Ground of Belonging: An Embodied Inquiry into Courage, Connection and Community, September 23 – October 21, 2023 with Steven Harper
Streams of Energy: Eastern Bodywork and Movement, October 21 – November 17, 2023 with Jim Gallas
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Whatever your goals, guidance can often be found from some of today’s great minds. Look upon their works and be inspired to grow mighty!
After fluttering around the world, Manon Wilde’s restless spirit alights at Esalen — for now: “Here, I feel connected, accepted, and valued.”
The New York Times bestselling author of Thought Revolution spent a decade researching and developing a brain-enhancing methodology that tapped into his right brain, which he now calls his “better half.”
BJ Miller shares his insights on conscious dying and end-of-life treatment. Bessel van der Kolk speaks about psychedelic psychotherapy. Tim McKee discusses how white men can engage in collective work towards racial justice.
Whatever your goals, guidance can often be found from some of today’s great minds. Look upon their works and be inspired to grow mighty!
After fluttering around the world, Manon Wilde’s restless spirit alights at Esalen — for now: “Here, I feel connected, accepted, and valued.”
The New York Times bestselling author of Thought Revolution spent a decade researching and developing a brain-enhancing methodology that tapped into his right brain, which he now calls his “better half.”
BJ Miller shares his insights on conscious dying and end-of-life treatment. Bessel van der Kolk speaks about psychedelic psychotherapy. Tim McKee discusses how white men can engage in collective work towards racial justice.
Whatever your goals, guidance can often be found from some of today’s great minds. Look upon their works and be inspired to grow mighty!
After fluttering around the world, Manon Wilde’s restless spirit alights at Esalen — for now: “Here, I feel connected, accepted, and valued.”
The New York Times bestselling author of Thought Revolution spent a decade researching and developing a brain-enhancing methodology that tapped into his right brain, which he now calls his “better half.”
BJ Miller shares his insights on conscious dying and end-of-life treatment. Bessel van der Kolk speaks about psychedelic psychotherapy. Tim McKee discusses how white men can engage in collective work towards racial justice.
Esalen Institute
55000 Highway 1
Big Sur, CA 93920
US: 1-831-667-3000
info@esalen.org
