Sierra Botanica founder Rachel Berry has a passion for both herbal medicine and empowering others to live a healthier life. This past month she celebrated her fourth year teaching at Esalen, returning to the Farm & Garden to guide others in identifying and harvesting plants to make into oils, creams, and salves for “do it yourself” organic skin and body care.
“It’s such a pleasure to teach at Esalen because the Garden is so well cared for, vibrant, and abundant,” says Rachel who recently led Organic Skin and Body Care from the Garden. “It’s nice to have that be part of our classroom. And Spring is a great time with all the energy going into new blossoms.”
Previously Rachel produced a product line of local and organic herbal skin and body care, but found her true joy was teaching and sharing her knowledge of herbalism and wildcrafting with others. “I was so lit up by working with plants that I wanted to share with other people,” she said. “I realized I couldn’t package what I was feeling.”
Rachel’s first “DIY” moment occurred by accident; while working on a farm she ran out of salve to milk the goats. She looked around at the natural ingredients available to her and made her first salve. Eventually she focused on body care as, according to Rachel, she didn’t want to wait to get sick to explore healing relationships with plants. She delved deeper into both the botanical aspect of her work as well as the heart skills incorporated in prepping herbals.
“Plants offer us a means for healing, but also for reawakening our relationship with the wild. Working with plants is a great way to stay connected to the natural world,” says Rachel. She encourages others to experiment with recipes and not to be discouraged if the first few don’t turn out as expected.
Rachel shares with us an easy, DIY recipe we can try at home.
Strawberry Smoothie Masque
This is an easy and nourishing recipe for all skin types. Combine ingredients in blender and blend until smooth (add a pinch more of wet or dry ingredients as needed). Apply to the skin for at least five minutes or more, then rinse.
If desired, add astringent for oily skin:
“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?
Sierra Botanica founder Rachel Berry has a passion for both herbal medicine and empowering others to live a healthier life. This past month she celebrated her fourth year teaching at Esalen, returning to the Farm & Garden to guide others in identifying and harvesting plants to make into oils, creams, and salves for “do it yourself” organic skin and body care.
“It’s such a pleasure to teach at Esalen because the Garden is so well cared for, vibrant, and abundant,” says Rachel who recently led Organic Skin and Body Care from the Garden. “It’s nice to have that be part of our classroom. And Spring is a great time with all the energy going into new blossoms.”
Previously Rachel produced a product line of local and organic herbal skin and body care, but found her true joy was teaching and sharing her knowledge of herbalism and wildcrafting with others. “I was so lit up by working with plants that I wanted to share with other people,” she said. “I realized I couldn’t package what I was feeling.”
Rachel’s first “DIY” moment occurred by accident; while working on a farm she ran out of salve to milk the goats. She looked around at the natural ingredients available to her and made her first salve. Eventually she focused on body care as, according to Rachel, she didn’t want to wait to get sick to explore healing relationships with plants. She delved deeper into both the botanical aspect of her work as well as the heart skills incorporated in prepping herbals.
“Plants offer us a means for healing, but also for reawakening our relationship with the wild. Working with plants is a great way to stay connected to the natural world,” says Rachel. She encourages others to experiment with recipes and not to be discouraged if the first few don’t turn out as expected.
Rachel shares with us an easy, DIY recipe we can try at home.
Strawberry Smoothie Masque
This is an easy and nourishing recipe for all skin types. Combine ingredients in blender and blend until smooth (add a pinch more of wet or dry ingredients as needed). Apply to the skin for at least five minutes or more, then rinse.
If desired, add astringent for oily skin:
“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?
Sierra Botanica founder Rachel Berry has a passion for both herbal medicine and empowering others to live a healthier life. This past month she celebrated her fourth year teaching at Esalen, returning to the Farm & Garden to guide others in identifying and harvesting plants to make into oils, creams, and salves for “do it yourself” organic skin and body care.
“It’s such a pleasure to teach at Esalen because the Garden is so well cared for, vibrant, and abundant,” says Rachel who recently led Organic Skin and Body Care from the Garden. “It’s nice to have that be part of our classroom. And Spring is a great time with all the energy going into new blossoms.”
Previously Rachel produced a product line of local and organic herbal skin and body care, but found her true joy was teaching and sharing her knowledge of herbalism and wildcrafting with others. “I was so lit up by working with plants that I wanted to share with other people,” she said. “I realized I couldn’t package what I was feeling.”
Rachel’s first “DIY” moment occurred by accident; while working on a farm she ran out of salve to milk the goats. She looked around at the natural ingredients available to her and made her first salve. Eventually she focused on body care as, according to Rachel, she didn’t want to wait to get sick to explore healing relationships with plants. She delved deeper into both the botanical aspect of her work as well as the heart skills incorporated in prepping herbals.
“Plants offer us a means for healing, but also for reawakening our relationship with the wild. Working with plants is a great way to stay connected to the natural world,” says Rachel. She encourages others to experiment with recipes and not to be discouraged if the first few don’t turn out as expected.
Rachel shares with us an easy, DIY recipe we can try at home.
Strawberry Smoothie Masque
This is an easy and nourishing recipe for all skin types. Combine ingredients in blender and blend until smooth (add a pinch more of wet or dry ingredients as needed). Apply to the skin for at least five minutes or more, then rinse.
If desired, add astringent for oily skin:
“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