“My 1984 Volkswagen.” That is Hunter Stroope’s cheeky answer when asked, What brought you to Esalen? Sure, his classic van might have been his transportation, but Terrance McKenna was his inspiration, both to relocate to Big Sur and for his understanding of psychedelics — “on an academic and spiritual level,” Hunter adds.
“McKenna accurately mapped the psychedelic realm, extracting gems from hyperspace and making them available to anyone willing to listen,” says Hunter. After finding out that most of McKenna’s lectures were recorded here, Hunter decided to check the place out for himself: “It made me curious about what is special about the Esalen container —the space that held McKenna and his fringe esoteric thinking.”
Hunter was already firmly on a spiritual path before arriving. Initially working in the Lodge as a bartender and barista, he opted to transition to maintenance. He describes his pre-Esalen life as “pretty much the same with fewer massages, and I had to cook my own meals.” Still, he’s quick to point out a few crucial differences.
There is, of course, this majestic land — cliffs above crashing waves, where ocean means mountains — which, universally, has a deep spiritual effect on visitors and staff alike. “The dramatic landscape doesn’t support facade,” Hunter explains; he finds profound truths in the elemental beauty: “This is archetypal landscape. Everything is at an extreme. Survive or die.”
Also, there are the people, fellow seekers to help guide you on your path. “Before arriving at Esalen, I didn’t have an intentional community. My community was in constant ebb and flow,” Hunter says. “Now, living in community has created more accountability in my life and reflection. Receiving feedback allows me to reflect on my own inner well-being. I have learned to validate and see my own emotions. I value sitting in communal healing circles such as cacao ceremonies and check-ins.”
With this direct and honest talk of personal transformation, Hunter makes us miss him in his former position. After all, this is the kind of stuff you want from a barista and bartender! “The community here allowed me to tune into my emotional self more — and in turn understand others on a deeper level.” While you won’t find Hunter behind the bar for some life-changing conversation, you can hear him jamming. (If not, don’t worry: he’ll still have all his knowledge about the life-changing powers of psychedelics even after the switch.)
“Remembering to be as self compassionate as I can and praying to the divine that we're all a part of.”
–Aaron
“Prayer, reading, meditation, walking.”
–Karen
“Erratically — which is an ongoing stream of practice to find peace.”
–Charles
“Try on a daily basis to be kind to myself and to realize that making mistakes is a part of the human condition. Learning from our mistakes is a journey. But it starts with compassion and caring. First for oneself.”
–Steve
“Physically: aerobic exercise, volleyball, ice hockey, cycling, sailing. Emotionally: unfortunately I have to work to ‘not care’ about people or situations which may end painfully. Along the lines of ‘attachment is the source of suffering’, so best to avoid it or limit its scope. Sad though because it could also be the source of great joy. Is it worth the risk?“
–Rainer
“It's time for my heart to be nurtured on one level yet contained on another. To go easy on me and to allow my feelings to be validated, not judged harshly. On the other hand, to let the heart rule with equanimity and not lead the mind and body around like a master.”
–Suzanne
“I spend time thinking of everything I am grateful for, and I try to develop my ability to express compassion for myself and others without reservation. I take time to do the things I need to do to keep myself healthy and happy. This includes taking experiential workshops, fostering relationships, and participating within groups which have a similar interest to become a more compassionate and fulfilled being.“
–Peter
“Self-forgiveness for my own judgments. And oh yeah, coming to Esalen.”
–David B.
“Hmm, this is a tough one! I guess I take care of my heart through fostering relationships with people I feel connected to. Spending quality time with them (whether we're on the phone, through messages/letters, on Zoom, or in-person). Being there for them, listening to them, sharing what's going on with me, my struggles and my successes... like we do in the Esalen weekly Friends of Esalen Zoom sessions!”
–Lori
“I remind myself in many ways of the fact that " Love is all there is!" LOVE is the prize and this one precious life is the stage we get to learn our lessons. I get out into nature, hike, camp, river kayak, fly fish, garden, I create, I dance (not enough!), and I remain grateful for each day, each breath, each moment. Being in the moment, awake, and remembering the gift of life and my feeling of gratitude for all of creation.”
–Steven
“My physical heart by limiting stress and eating a heart-healthy diet. My emotional heart by staying in love with the world and by knowing that all disappointment and loss will pass.“
–David Z.
Today, September 29, is World Heart Day. Strike up a conversation with your own heart and as you feel comfortable, encourage others to do the same. As part of our own transformations and self-care, we sometimes ask for others to illuminate and enliven our hearts or speak our love language.
What if we could do this for ourselves too, even if just for today… or to start a heart practice, forever?
“My 1984 Volkswagen.” That is Hunter Stroope’s cheeky answer when asked, What brought you to Esalen? Sure, his classic van might have been his transportation, but Terrance McKenna was his inspiration, both to relocate to Big Sur and for his understanding of psychedelics — “on an academic and spiritual level,” Hunter adds.
“McKenna accurately mapped the psychedelic realm, extracting gems from hyperspace and making them available to anyone willing to listen,” says Hunter. After finding out that most of McKenna’s lectures were recorded here, Hunter decided to check the place out for himself: “It made me curious about what is special about the Esalen container —the space that held McKenna and his fringe esoteric thinking.”
Hunter was already firmly on a spiritual path before arriving. Initially working in the Lodge as a bartender and barista, he opted to transition to maintenance. He describes his pre-Esalen life as “pretty much the same with fewer massages, and I had to cook my own meals.” Still, he’s quick to point out a few crucial differences.
There is, of course, this majestic land — cliffs above crashing waves, where ocean means mountains — which, universally, has a deep spiritual effect on visitors and staff alike. “The dramatic landscape doesn’t support facade,” Hunter explains; he finds profound truths in the elemental beauty: “This is archetypal landscape. Everything is at an extreme. Survive or die.”
Also, there are the people, fellow seekers to help guide you on your path. “Before arriving at Esalen, I didn’t have an intentional community. My community was in constant ebb and flow,” Hunter says. “Now, living in community has created more accountability in my life and reflection. Receiving feedback allows me to reflect on my own inner well-being. I have learned to validate and see my own emotions. I value sitting in communal healing circles such as cacao ceremonies and check-ins.”
With this direct and honest talk of personal transformation, Hunter makes us miss him in his former position. After all, this is the kind of stuff you want from a barista and bartender! “The community here allowed me to tune into my emotional self more — and in turn understand others on a deeper level.” While you won’t find Hunter behind the bar for some life-changing conversation, you can hear him jamming. (If not, don’t worry: he’ll still have all his knowledge about the life-changing powers of psychedelics even after the switch.)
“Remembering to be as self compassionate as I can and praying to the divine that we're all a part of.”
–Aaron
“Prayer, reading, meditation, walking.”
–Karen
“Erratically — which is an ongoing stream of practice to find peace.”
–Charles
“Try on a daily basis to be kind to myself and to realize that making mistakes is a part of the human condition. Learning from our mistakes is a journey. But it starts with compassion and caring. First for oneself.”
–Steve
“Physically: aerobic exercise, volleyball, ice hockey, cycling, sailing. Emotionally: unfortunately I have to work to ‘not care’ about people or situations which may end painfully. Along the lines of ‘attachment is the source of suffering’, so best to avoid it or limit its scope. Sad though because it could also be the source of great joy. Is it worth the risk?“
–Rainer
“It's time for my heart to be nurtured on one level yet contained on another. To go easy on me and to allow my feelings to be validated, not judged harshly. On the other hand, to let the heart rule with equanimity and not lead the mind and body around like a master.”
–Suzanne
“I spend time thinking of everything I am grateful for, and I try to develop my ability to express compassion for myself and others without reservation. I take time to do the things I need to do to keep myself healthy and happy. This includes taking experiential workshops, fostering relationships, and participating within groups which have a similar interest to become a more compassionate and fulfilled being.“
–Peter
“Self-forgiveness for my own judgments. And oh yeah, coming to Esalen.”
–David B.
“Hmm, this is a tough one! I guess I take care of my heart through fostering relationships with people I feel connected to. Spending quality time with them (whether we're on the phone, through messages/letters, on Zoom, or in-person). Being there for them, listening to them, sharing what's going on with me, my struggles and my successes... like we do in the Esalen weekly Friends of Esalen Zoom sessions!”
–Lori
“I remind myself in many ways of the fact that " Love is all there is!" LOVE is the prize and this one precious life is the stage we get to learn our lessons. I get out into nature, hike, camp, river kayak, fly fish, garden, I create, I dance (not enough!), and I remain grateful for each day, each breath, each moment. Being in the moment, awake, and remembering the gift of life and my feeling of gratitude for all of creation.”
–Steven
“My physical heart by limiting stress and eating a heart-healthy diet. My emotional heart by staying in love with the world and by knowing that all disappointment and loss will pass.“
–David Z.
Today, September 29, is World Heart Day. Strike up a conversation with your own heart and as you feel comfortable, encourage others to do the same. As part of our own transformations and self-care, we sometimes ask for others to illuminate and enliven our hearts or speak our love language.
What if we could do this for ourselves too, even if just for today… or to start a heart practice, forever?
“My 1984 Volkswagen.” That is Hunter Stroope’s cheeky answer when asked, What brought you to Esalen? Sure, his classic van might have been his transportation, but Terrance McKenna was his inspiration, both to relocate to Big Sur and for his understanding of psychedelics — “on an academic and spiritual level,” Hunter adds.
“McKenna accurately mapped the psychedelic realm, extracting gems from hyperspace and making them available to anyone willing to listen,” says Hunter. After finding out that most of McKenna’s lectures were recorded here, Hunter decided to check the place out for himself: “It made me curious about what is special about the Esalen container —the space that held McKenna and his fringe esoteric thinking.”
Hunter was already firmly on a spiritual path before arriving. Initially working in the Lodge as a bartender and barista, he opted to transition to maintenance. He describes his pre-Esalen life as “pretty much the same with fewer massages, and I had to cook my own meals.” Still, he’s quick to point out a few crucial differences.
There is, of course, this majestic land — cliffs above crashing waves, where ocean means mountains — which, universally, has a deep spiritual effect on visitors and staff alike. “The dramatic landscape doesn’t support facade,” Hunter explains; he finds profound truths in the elemental beauty: “This is archetypal landscape. Everything is at an extreme. Survive or die.”
Also, there are the people, fellow seekers to help guide you on your path. “Before arriving at Esalen, I didn’t have an intentional community. My community was in constant ebb and flow,” Hunter says. “Now, living in community has created more accountability in my life and reflection. Receiving feedback allows me to reflect on my own inner well-being. I have learned to validate and see my own emotions. I value sitting in communal healing circles such as cacao ceremonies and check-ins.”
With this direct and honest talk of personal transformation, Hunter makes us miss him in his former position. After all, this is the kind of stuff you want from a barista and bartender! “The community here allowed me to tune into my emotional self more — and in turn understand others on a deeper level.” While you won’t find Hunter behind the bar for some life-changing conversation, you can hear him jamming. (If not, don’t worry: he’ll still have all his knowledge about the life-changing powers of psychedelics even after the switch.)
“Remembering to be as self compassionate as I can and praying to the divine that we're all a part of.”
–Aaron
“Prayer, reading, meditation, walking.”
–Karen
“Erratically — which is an ongoing stream of practice to find peace.”
–Charles
“Try on a daily basis to be kind to myself and to realize that making mistakes is a part of the human condition. Learning from our mistakes is a journey. But it starts with compassion and caring. First for oneself.”
–Steve
“Physically: aerobic exercise, volleyball, ice hockey, cycling, sailing. Emotionally: unfortunately I have to work to ‘not care’ about people or situations which may end painfully. Along the lines of ‘attachment is the source of suffering’, so best to avoid it or limit its scope. Sad though because it could also be the source of great joy. Is it worth the risk?“
–Rainer
“It's time for my heart to be nurtured on one level yet contained on another. To go easy on me and to allow my feelings to be validated, not judged harshly. On the other hand, to let the heart rule with equanimity and not lead the mind and body around like a master.”
–Suzanne
“I spend time thinking of everything I am grateful for, and I try to develop my ability to express compassion for myself and others without reservation. I take time to do the things I need to do to keep myself healthy and happy. This includes taking experiential workshops, fostering relationships, and participating within groups which have a similar interest to become a more compassionate and fulfilled being.“
–Peter
“Self-forgiveness for my own judgments. And oh yeah, coming to Esalen.”
–David B.
“Hmm, this is a tough one! I guess I take care of my heart through fostering relationships with people I feel connected to. Spending quality time with them (whether we're on the phone, through messages/letters, on Zoom, or in-person). Being there for them, listening to them, sharing what's going on with me, my struggles and my successes... like we do in the Esalen weekly Friends of Esalen Zoom sessions!”
–Lori
“I remind myself in many ways of the fact that " Love is all there is!" LOVE is the prize and this one precious life is the stage we get to learn our lessons. I get out into nature, hike, camp, river kayak, fly fish, garden, I create, I dance (not enough!), and I remain grateful for each day, each breath, each moment. Being in the moment, awake, and remembering the gift of life and my feeling of gratitude for all of creation.”
–Steven
“My physical heart by limiting stress and eating a heart-healthy diet. My emotional heart by staying in love with the world and by knowing that all disappointment and loss will pass.“
–David Z.
Today, September 29, is World Heart Day. Strike up a conversation with your own heart and as you feel comfortable, encourage others to do the same. As part of our own transformations and self-care, we sometimes ask for others to illuminate and enliven our hearts or speak our love language.
What if we could do this for ourselves too, even if just for today… or to start a heart practice, forever?
Esalen Institute
55000 Highway 1
Big Sur, CA 93920
US: 1-831-667-3000
info@esalen.org
