Inspired by 20th-century French writer Marcel Proust, we here at Esalen have created our own version of his favorite parlor game to dig just a little deeper — and differently — into our incredible faculty and staff.
Janne Larsen guides fellow seekers in cultivating intimate bonds with the diverse flora thriving across the Esalen campus — and honors them through art. “Communing with plants, finding those elusive pigments and seeing what gifts they have gives me so much joy,” says Janne. “Finding that joy is so essential to living life as an artist.” For those ready to immerse themselves in the earthy, ocean-washed hues that define this land, the LA-based artist and maker will lead Connecting With Nature: Discovering the Gifts of Botanical Inks this June.
What do you do/are you doing at Esalen?
I will be teaching a workshop on how to make plants into pigments using the plants that grow in and around Esalen. We will also be making brushes from natural foraged materials that will complete your own botanical ink kit made from and with the spirit of Esalen.
What is your idea of perfect happiness?
My idea of happiness is finding new plants that yield beautiful colors that completely surprise me.
If you were to die and come back as a person or a thing, what would it be?
A plant near the sea
What or who is the greatest love of your life?
I feel so lucky to have so much love in my life right now. My boyfriend (haha! I mean dog), Zoozve, who is an Irish wolfhound mixed with some kind of doodle, follows me everywhere. We talk a lot about life. We rescued him about five months ago and he’s been through it but he is all love. My partner, Kimo, is such an amazing, supportive partner and father to our two kids, a 5 year old and a 12 year old. Love is all around me and it feels great.
What is your most treasured possession?
My curiosity and work ethic are gifts my mother gave me and I feel grateful to possess them every day of my life. Money and resources come and go but my driving passion will always be with me.
How do you maintain your practice(s) during challenging times?
I think my practice comes out of maintaining something in challenging times. When I had my first child, I had a full-time job, a few different side jobs and I was trying to maintain my artistic practice. I was overwhelmed and exhausted but my identity is wrapped up in creativity so not doing anything was not an option. Finding a way to interact with the world outside my little narrow focus was key to my happiness then and now. Communing with plants, finding those elusive pigments and seeing what gifts they have give me so much joy. Finding that joy is so essential to living life as an artist.
What is your favorite component of your work?
I love to bring people in connection to a plant or color that they haven't thought of before and inspiring them to build that plant relationship or plants relationships to enrich their understanding of the world.
What is your most marked characteristic?
My joie de vivre. I love to laugh and eat and make art.
What do you value most in your work/practice?
My work is never-ending and I love that. There is always a new wine to make, a new plant to experiment with. The world is full of treasures and I always feel like it is presenting me with gifts.
How would you like to die?
I would like to have a funeral before I die so I can tell everyone how much I love them. Then, many years later, I will die on an adventure, stranded at sea or a misstep off a cliff.
“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?
Inspired by 20th-century French writer Marcel Proust, we here at Esalen have created our own version of his favorite parlor game to dig just a little deeper — and differently — into our incredible faculty and staff.
Janne Larsen guides fellow seekers in cultivating intimate bonds with the diverse flora thriving across the Esalen campus — and honors them through art. “Communing with plants, finding those elusive pigments and seeing what gifts they have gives me so much joy,” says Janne. “Finding that joy is so essential to living life as an artist.” For those ready to immerse themselves in the earthy, ocean-washed hues that define this land, the LA-based artist and maker will lead Connecting With Nature: Discovering the Gifts of Botanical Inks this June.
What do you do/are you doing at Esalen?
I will be teaching a workshop on how to make plants into pigments using the plants that grow in and around Esalen. We will also be making brushes from natural foraged materials that will complete your own botanical ink kit made from and with the spirit of Esalen.
What is your idea of perfect happiness?
My idea of happiness is finding new plants that yield beautiful colors that completely surprise me.
If you were to die and come back as a person or a thing, what would it be?
A plant near the sea
What or who is the greatest love of your life?
I feel so lucky to have so much love in my life right now. My boyfriend (haha! I mean dog), Zoozve, who is an Irish wolfhound mixed with some kind of doodle, follows me everywhere. We talk a lot about life. We rescued him about five months ago and he’s been through it but he is all love. My partner, Kimo, is such an amazing, supportive partner and father to our two kids, a 5 year old and a 12 year old. Love is all around me and it feels great.
What is your most treasured possession?
My curiosity and work ethic are gifts my mother gave me and I feel grateful to possess them every day of my life. Money and resources come and go but my driving passion will always be with me.
How do you maintain your practice(s) during challenging times?
I think my practice comes out of maintaining something in challenging times. When I had my first child, I had a full-time job, a few different side jobs and I was trying to maintain my artistic practice. I was overwhelmed and exhausted but my identity is wrapped up in creativity so not doing anything was not an option. Finding a way to interact with the world outside my little narrow focus was key to my happiness then and now. Communing with plants, finding those elusive pigments and seeing what gifts they have give me so much joy. Finding that joy is so essential to living life as an artist.
What is your favorite component of your work?
I love to bring people in connection to a plant or color that they haven't thought of before and inspiring them to build that plant relationship or plants relationships to enrich their understanding of the world.
What is your most marked characteristic?
My joie de vivre. I love to laugh and eat and make art.
What do you value most in your work/practice?
My work is never-ending and I love that. There is always a new wine to make, a new plant to experiment with. The world is full of treasures and I always feel like it is presenting me with gifts.
How would you like to die?
I would like to have a funeral before I die so I can tell everyone how much I love them. Then, many years later, I will die on an adventure, stranded at sea or a misstep off a cliff.
“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?
Inspired by 20th-century French writer Marcel Proust, we here at Esalen have created our own version of his favorite parlor game to dig just a little deeper — and differently — into our incredible faculty and staff.
Janne Larsen guides fellow seekers in cultivating intimate bonds with the diverse flora thriving across the Esalen campus — and honors them through art. “Communing with plants, finding those elusive pigments and seeing what gifts they have gives me so much joy,” says Janne. “Finding that joy is so essential to living life as an artist.” For those ready to immerse themselves in the earthy, ocean-washed hues that define this land, the LA-based artist and maker will lead Connecting With Nature: Discovering the Gifts of Botanical Inks this June.
What do you do/are you doing at Esalen?
I will be teaching a workshop on how to make plants into pigments using the plants that grow in and around Esalen. We will also be making brushes from natural foraged materials that will complete your own botanical ink kit made from and with the spirit of Esalen.
What is your idea of perfect happiness?
My idea of happiness is finding new plants that yield beautiful colors that completely surprise me.
If you were to die and come back as a person or a thing, what would it be?
A plant near the sea
What or who is the greatest love of your life?
I feel so lucky to have so much love in my life right now. My boyfriend (haha! I mean dog), Zoozve, who is an Irish wolfhound mixed with some kind of doodle, follows me everywhere. We talk a lot about life. We rescued him about five months ago and he’s been through it but he is all love. My partner, Kimo, is such an amazing, supportive partner and father to our two kids, a 5 year old and a 12 year old. Love is all around me and it feels great.
What is your most treasured possession?
My curiosity and work ethic are gifts my mother gave me and I feel grateful to possess them every day of my life. Money and resources come and go but my driving passion will always be with me.
How do you maintain your practice(s) during challenging times?
I think my practice comes out of maintaining something in challenging times. When I had my first child, I had a full-time job, a few different side jobs and I was trying to maintain my artistic practice. I was overwhelmed and exhausted but my identity is wrapped up in creativity so not doing anything was not an option. Finding a way to interact with the world outside my little narrow focus was key to my happiness then and now. Communing with plants, finding those elusive pigments and seeing what gifts they have give me so much joy. Finding that joy is so essential to living life as an artist.
What is your favorite component of your work?
I love to bring people in connection to a plant or color that they haven't thought of before and inspiring them to build that plant relationship or plants relationships to enrich their understanding of the world.
What is your most marked characteristic?
My joie de vivre. I love to laugh and eat and make art.
What do you value most in your work/practice?
My work is never-ending and I love that. There is always a new wine to make, a new plant to experiment with. The world is full of treasures and I always feel like it is presenting me with gifts.
How would you like to die?
I would like to have a funeral before I die so I can tell everyone how much I love them. Then, many years later, I will die on an adventure, stranded at sea or a misstep off a cliff.
“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
