The Esalen Check‑in

“Esalen was my first introduction to the “check-in.” I know other communities have similar practices, but I liked how we did it in every context at Esalen. My first experience with it was as a work scholar in the kitchen. The whole kitchen crew would take a half-hour mid-shift and do a check-in. It allowed me to get to know people in a way I would not have gotten to know them otherwise. I loved that. People would share what’s on their mind and how they were feeling in a way that humanized them when things got challenging. When I was working in the office, we would have a check-in before our shift started, and that was great because we would know what people were dealing with that day, what was on their mind, and that way we could be supportive when they needed it and celebratory when there was a call for it. I really gained a lot from it and tried to recreate it in other contexts outside of Esalen.” — Shannon Hudson

The Esalen check-in is decades old and is a direct outgrowth from Esalen’s Gestalt practice, a foundational cornerstone that shaped Esalen’s culture and continues today to be practiced departmentally (internally) and in workshops (externally). Esalen check-ins include space for everyone to speak –— not just about work, but about their personal lives, emotions, and experiences. In general, the check-in isn’t just a space for updates; it’s a circle where people get deep and forge bonds. Everyone speaks without interruptions, and there’s no cross talk. What’s shared stays within the circle, fostering a safe environment for authenticity and vulnerability.

For some years, right in the middle of the busiest part of the work day, the office would completely close down for an hour and the entire department would relocate to the lawn for their check-in. The practice of a check-in does more than just strengthen team bonds. It reminds us that our work is about more than just tasks and objectives. It’s about people, connections, and a shared purpose.