More than a year ago Esalen General Manager and CEO Terence Gilbey embarked on a listening tour to gain a deeper understanding of the unique needs and interests of Esalen seminarians, faculty and friends. “We received positive feedback and great ideas from our community,” says Terence, who also used the opportunity to share updates on Esalen’s progress since the 2017 closure.
“We also heard that in a world of more connectivity, many of us are feeling less connected. With a desire for fostering more community, I’m pleased to announce the creation of a new department at Esalen: Community and Advancement.”
The department will be building an active global community of members that extend beyond the Big Sur campus experience. Activities can include such offerings as Esalen meet-ups and salons in cities across the nation — a concept explored last Fall when Esalen hosted friends in Los Angeles, New York and the San Francisco Bay Area.
“These events, which included a mini workshop experience as well as time for guests to connect with each other, was a direct result of feedback we received that people want to stay connected to Esalen and to each other,” added Terry.
The Community and Advancement department will be home to Friends of Esalen as well, which moved to a membership model last year, while serving as a hub for facilitating connection among like-minded individuals interested in supporting Esalen’s long-term sustainability.
Meet Your Community and Advancement Team
Esalen’s new team includes both new and longstanding Esalen community members. They include:
Jessica Hartzell
A resident of Big Sur, Jessica first came to Esalen as a work scholar. She returned after a career in political advocacy, including working for Senator Dianne Feinstein and Centro Legal de la Raza, to support the transition of Gazebo Park School to Big Sur Forest School. She joined Esalen last May as a full-time staff member.
Andrew Lanterman
Andrew has been part of the Esalen community since 2015 where he has served in various roles in Guest Services and the Esalen Kitchen and has assisted in workshops such as Paula Shaw’s The MAX: Expanding the Limits of Your Self Expression. He has a degree in Natural Resources Management with a focus in Sustainable Environments from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and formerly interned at the Nature Conservancy of Hawaii.
“We are excited about the role Community and Advancement will play in advancing Esalen’s mission of exploring and realizing human potential,” says Jessica. “We have a number of events already planned both at Esalen and for salons outside of Big Sur. We look forward to connecting with you soon!” More updates will be shared in the coming weeks.
“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?
More than a year ago Esalen General Manager and CEO Terence Gilbey embarked on a listening tour to gain a deeper understanding of the unique needs and interests of Esalen seminarians, faculty and friends. “We received positive feedback and great ideas from our community,” says Terence, who also used the opportunity to share updates on Esalen’s progress since the 2017 closure.
“We also heard that in a world of more connectivity, many of us are feeling less connected. With a desire for fostering more community, I’m pleased to announce the creation of a new department at Esalen: Community and Advancement.”
The department will be building an active global community of members that extend beyond the Big Sur campus experience. Activities can include such offerings as Esalen meet-ups and salons in cities across the nation — a concept explored last Fall when Esalen hosted friends in Los Angeles, New York and the San Francisco Bay Area.
“These events, which included a mini workshop experience as well as time for guests to connect with each other, was a direct result of feedback we received that people want to stay connected to Esalen and to each other,” added Terry.
The Community and Advancement department will be home to Friends of Esalen as well, which moved to a membership model last year, while serving as a hub for facilitating connection among like-minded individuals interested in supporting Esalen’s long-term sustainability.
Meet Your Community and Advancement Team
Esalen’s new team includes both new and longstanding Esalen community members. They include:
Jessica Hartzell
A resident of Big Sur, Jessica first came to Esalen as a work scholar. She returned after a career in political advocacy, including working for Senator Dianne Feinstein and Centro Legal de la Raza, to support the transition of Gazebo Park School to Big Sur Forest School. She joined Esalen last May as a full-time staff member.
Andrew Lanterman
Andrew has been part of the Esalen community since 2015 where he has served in various roles in Guest Services and the Esalen Kitchen and has assisted in workshops such as Paula Shaw’s The MAX: Expanding the Limits of Your Self Expression. He has a degree in Natural Resources Management with a focus in Sustainable Environments from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and formerly interned at the Nature Conservancy of Hawaii.
“We are excited about the role Community and Advancement will play in advancing Esalen’s mission of exploring and realizing human potential,” says Jessica. “We have a number of events already planned both at Esalen and for salons outside of Big Sur. We look forward to connecting with you soon!” More updates will be shared in the coming weeks.
“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?
More than a year ago Esalen General Manager and CEO Terence Gilbey embarked on a listening tour to gain a deeper understanding of the unique needs and interests of Esalen seminarians, faculty and friends. “We received positive feedback and great ideas from our community,” says Terence, who also used the opportunity to share updates on Esalen’s progress since the 2017 closure.
“We also heard that in a world of more connectivity, many of us are feeling less connected. With a desire for fostering more community, I’m pleased to announce the creation of a new department at Esalen: Community and Advancement.”
The department will be building an active global community of members that extend beyond the Big Sur campus experience. Activities can include such offerings as Esalen meet-ups and salons in cities across the nation — a concept explored last Fall when Esalen hosted friends in Los Angeles, New York and the San Francisco Bay Area.
“These events, which included a mini workshop experience as well as time for guests to connect with each other, was a direct result of feedback we received that people want to stay connected to Esalen and to each other,” added Terry.
The Community and Advancement department will be home to Friends of Esalen as well, which moved to a membership model last year, while serving as a hub for facilitating connection among like-minded individuals interested in supporting Esalen’s long-term sustainability.
Meet Your Community and Advancement Team
Esalen’s new team includes both new and longstanding Esalen community members. They include:
Jessica Hartzell
A resident of Big Sur, Jessica first came to Esalen as a work scholar. She returned after a career in political advocacy, including working for Senator Dianne Feinstein and Centro Legal de la Raza, to support the transition of Gazebo Park School to Big Sur Forest School. She joined Esalen last May as a full-time staff member.
Andrew Lanterman
Andrew has been part of the Esalen community since 2015 where he has served in various roles in Guest Services and the Esalen Kitchen and has assisted in workshops such as Paula Shaw’s The MAX: Expanding the Limits of Your Self Expression. He has a degree in Natural Resources Management with a focus in Sustainable Environments from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and formerly interned at the Nature Conservancy of Hawaii.
“We are excited about the role Community and Advancement will play in advancing Esalen’s mission of exploring and realizing human potential,” says Jessica. “We have a number of events already planned both at Esalen and for salons outside of Big Sur. We look forward to connecting with you soon!” More updates will be shared in the coming weeks.
“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