Since construction began at the end of March, we've seen rapid progress on the Lodge remodel. "We've been encouraged by feedback from our visitors and faculty that construction has had minimal impact on their experience," said Cheryl Fraenzl, Director of Programs. "There is genuine excitement for the renewal of the Lodge and how it will enhance our community."
The office/bookstore, kitchen, and dining room remain open as construction takes place on the east side of the walls. Part of the hillside has been excavated to make room for the new kitchen and storage areas, while the new café space will occupy approximately the same area as the original Huxley meeting room. Framing of the second-story addition to the Lodge, which will house the new, expanded Huxley meeting room as well as one brand-new meeting space, is in process.
Once the first phase of construction is completed in December of 2015, the dining room will be temporarily moved upstairs while renovation proceeds on the ground floor as part of Phase II, scheduled for completion in June 2016. At that time, the transformation of the Lodge will include a new kitchen, dining room, café/solarium, unisex bathroom, expanded bookstore, information kiosk, and offices in addition the two new meeting rooms on the second floor.
Please consider making a donation to support Esalen's Campus Renewal and the transformation of the Lodge!
View of the construction fence from the oval on the north side of the Lodge, before the beginning of framing on the second story.
An overview of the rapid progress on the second-story framing.
View from behind the construction fence, from the north (oval side) looking south.
On the south (deck/baths) side of the Lodge looking into the new Huxley meeting room, atop the café
A mural beautifies the wooden construction wall that separates the Lodge deck from the work area.
“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?
Since construction began at the end of March, we've seen rapid progress on the Lodge remodel. "We've been encouraged by feedback from our visitors and faculty that construction has had minimal impact on their experience," said Cheryl Fraenzl, Director of Programs. "There is genuine excitement for the renewal of the Lodge and how it will enhance our community."
The office/bookstore, kitchen, and dining room remain open as construction takes place on the east side of the walls. Part of the hillside has been excavated to make room for the new kitchen and storage areas, while the new café space will occupy approximately the same area as the original Huxley meeting room. Framing of the second-story addition to the Lodge, which will house the new, expanded Huxley meeting room as well as one brand-new meeting space, is in process.
Once the first phase of construction is completed in December of 2015, the dining room will be temporarily moved upstairs while renovation proceeds on the ground floor as part of Phase II, scheduled for completion in June 2016. At that time, the transformation of the Lodge will include a new kitchen, dining room, café/solarium, unisex bathroom, expanded bookstore, information kiosk, and offices in addition the two new meeting rooms on the second floor.
Please consider making a donation to support Esalen's Campus Renewal and the transformation of the Lodge!
View of the construction fence from the oval on the north side of the Lodge, before the beginning of framing on the second story.
An overview of the rapid progress on the second-story framing.
View from behind the construction fence, from the north (oval side) looking south.
On the south (deck/baths) side of the Lodge looking into the new Huxley meeting room, atop the café
A mural beautifies the wooden construction wall that separates the Lodge deck from the work area.
“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?
Since construction began at the end of March, we've seen rapid progress on the Lodge remodel. "We've been encouraged by feedback from our visitors and faculty that construction has had minimal impact on their experience," said Cheryl Fraenzl, Director of Programs. "There is genuine excitement for the renewal of the Lodge and how it will enhance our community."
The office/bookstore, kitchen, and dining room remain open as construction takes place on the east side of the walls. Part of the hillside has been excavated to make room for the new kitchen and storage areas, while the new café space will occupy approximately the same area as the original Huxley meeting room. Framing of the second-story addition to the Lodge, which will house the new, expanded Huxley meeting room as well as one brand-new meeting space, is in process.
Once the first phase of construction is completed in December of 2015, the dining room will be temporarily moved upstairs while renovation proceeds on the ground floor as part of Phase II, scheduled for completion in June 2016. At that time, the transformation of the Lodge will include a new kitchen, dining room, café/solarium, unisex bathroom, expanded bookstore, information kiosk, and offices in addition the two new meeting rooms on the second floor.
Please consider making a donation to support Esalen's Campus Renewal and the transformation of the Lodge!
View of the construction fence from the oval on the north side of the Lodge, before the beginning of framing on the second story.
An overview of the rapid progress on the second-story framing.
View from behind the construction fence, from the north (oval side) looking south.
On the south (deck/baths) side of the Lodge looking into the new Huxley meeting room, atop the café
A mural beautifies the wooden construction wall that separates the Lodge deck from the work area.
“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
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Big Sur, CA 93920
US: 1-831-667-3000
info@esalen.org