“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 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 both departmentally (internally) and in workshops (externally). Esalen check-ins include space for everyone in there 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.
“These things have evolved and they are kinder now. The check-in could be tough and abusive at times in the ’60s. We needed it to be warmer and kinder as well as productive. Esalen has to remember some of the bad turns it took. By the 1970s, I was saying, we ain’t been perfect, but we are a learning community.” — Michael Murphy
“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 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 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 both departmentally (internally) and in workshops (externally). Esalen check-ins include space for everyone in there 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.
“These things have evolved and they are kinder now. The check-in could be tough and abusive at times in the ’60s. We needed it to be warmer and kinder as well as productive. Esalen has to remember some of the bad turns it took. By the 1970s, I was saying, we ain’t been perfect, but we are a learning community.” — Michael Murphy
“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 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 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 both departmentally (internally) and in workshops (externally). Esalen check-ins include space for everyone in there 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.
“These things have evolved and they are kinder now. The check-in could be tough and abusive at times in the ’60s. We needed it to be warmer and kinder as well as productive. Esalen has to remember some of the bad turns it took. By the 1970s, I was saying, we ain’t been perfect, but we are a learning community.” — Michael Murphy
“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
