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.
Kimberly Lee wants to help you harness the magic of images, imagination, and intuition using clippings, scissors, and glue: “One of my favorite ways to decompress is to turn on some chill music and sit with a stack of magazines to tear striking images for use in collages.” The writer and creativity coach (who will be on campus to lead SoulCollage®: An Enchanting Path to Inner Wisdom this June) tells us about starting her mornings with a “glow up,” why this is a time for resilience, and how she’d conduct her orchestra — “while wearing a great dress!”
What do you do/are you doing at Esalen?
I will be offering a five-day exploration of SoulCollage®, an expressive arts method using images, imagination, and intuition for self-discovery and personal growth. Each participant will create many collaged cards through a gentle, directed process, and we’ll interpret their meaning through a variety of activities, including reflective writing, fun interactive exercises, and group sharing.
Which living or dead person do you most admire in your field?
The creator of SoulCollage ®, the late Seena Frost. By following the lead of her own creativity as well as her appreciation for the positive core that exists within each of us, she created a beautiful process that is captivating, meaningful, and accessible to all.
What is your greatest extravagance related to your practice?
Magazine subscriptions! I subscribe to many and have a closet full of images in my home office to bring to workshops and retreats. The wider the selection, the better! One of my favorite ways to decompress is to turn on some chill music and sit with a stack of magazines to tear striking images for use in collages.
What is the quality you most like in a human?
Those who embody this Ralph Waldo Emerson quote: “To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.”
Which talent would you most like to have?
To be able to conduct an orchestra — bringing all that musical talent together to create beautiful, moving music that makes the heart swell — while wearing a great dress!
If you were to die and come back as a person or a thing, what would it be?
A caterpillar — to experience all the forms and phases, savor the beautiful transformation, and then fly!
How do you maintain your practice(s) during challenging times?
By prioritizing it. I’ve found that my day goes much better if, instead of picking up my phone, I begin with what I call the “glow-up” — a walk through my neighborhood, noticing the smallest, exquisite details; listening to a guided meditation; then creating a SoulCollage ® card and journaling with it to find the affirmation that will carry me through the day.
What is your favorite component of your work?
I’m always amazed by the synchronicities and surprises that occur when participants intuitively create collages with seemingly random images, ultimately opening up a portal to their innate wisdom. As they work with their cards, they excavate empowering, insightful messages from within, affirming the strength and grace they possess to move towards their goals and dreams. Tuning into our higher selves in this way is a sacred process.
Who are your heroes in real life?
The many people whose names we don’t know but who fought, protested, and advocated for freedom and equality, even when they were uncertain of the outcome or weren't sure they would live to see the fruits of their labor. That same level of resilience, vision, and optimism is needed right now.
What is your motto?
Work hard, play hard.
“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.
Kimberly Lee wants to help you harness the magic of images, imagination, and intuition using clippings, scissors, and glue: “One of my favorite ways to decompress is to turn on some chill music and sit with a stack of magazines to tear striking images for use in collages.” The writer and creativity coach (who will be on campus to lead SoulCollage®: An Enchanting Path to Inner Wisdom this June) tells us about starting her mornings with a “glow up,” why this is a time for resilience, and how she’d conduct her orchestra — “while wearing a great dress!”
What do you do/are you doing at Esalen?
I will be offering a five-day exploration of SoulCollage®, an expressive arts method using images, imagination, and intuition for self-discovery and personal growth. Each participant will create many collaged cards through a gentle, directed process, and we’ll interpret their meaning through a variety of activities, including reflective writing, fun interactive exercises, and group sharing.
Which living or dead person do you most admire in your field?
The creator of SoulCollage ®, the late Seena Frost. By following the lead of her own creativity as well as her appreciation for the positive core that exists within each of us, she created a beautiful process that is captivating, meaningful, and accessible to all.
What is your greatest extravagance related to your practice?
Magazine subscriptions! I subscribe to many and have a closet full of images in my home office to bring to workshops and retreats. The wider the selection, the better! One of my favorite ways to decompress is to turn on some chill music and sit with a stack of magazines to tear striking images for use in collages.
What is the quality you most like in a human?
Those who embody this Ralph Waldo Emerson quote: “To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.”
Which talent would you most like to have?
To be able to conduct an orchestra — bringing all that musical talent together to create beautiful, moving music that makes the heart swell — while wearing a great dress!
If you were to die and come back as a person or a thing, what would it be?
A caterpillar — to experience all the forms and phases, savor the beautiful transformation, and then fly!
How do you maintain your practice(s) during challenging times?
By prioritizing it. I’ve found that my day goes much better if, instead of picking up my phone, I begin with what I call the “glow-up” — a walk through my neighborhood, noticing the smallest, exquisite details; listening to a guided meditation; then creating a SoulCollage ® card and journaling with it to find the affirmation that will carry me through the day.
What is your favorite component of your work?
I’m always amazed by the synchronicities and surprises that occur when participants intuitively create collages with seemingly random images, ultimately opening up a portal to their innate wisdom. As they work with their cards, they excavate empowering, insightful messages from within, affirming the strength and grace they possess to move towards their goals and dreams. Tuning into our higher selves in this way is a sacred process.
Who are your heroes in real life?
The many people whose names we don’t know but who fought, protested, and advocated for freedom and equality, even when they were uncertain of the outcome or weren't sure they would live to see the fruits of their labor. That same level of resilience, vision, and optimism is needed right now.
What is your motto?
Work hard, play hard.
“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.
Kimberly Lee wants to help you harness the magic of images, imagination, and intuition using clippings, scissors, and glue: “One of my favorite ways to decompress is to turn on some chill music and sit with a stack of magazines to tear striking images for use in collages.” The writer and creativity coach (who will be on campus to lead SoulCollage®: An Enchanting Path to Inner Wisdom this June) tells us about starting her mornings with a “glow up,” why this is a time for resilience, and how she’d conduct her orchestra — “while wearing a great dress!”
What do you do/are you doing at Esalen?
I will be offering a five-day exploration of SoulCollage®, an expressive arts method using images, imagination, and intuition for self-discovery and personal growth. Each participant will create many collaged cards through a gentle, directed process, and we’ll interpret their meaning through a variety of activities, including reflective writing, fun interactive exercises, and group sharing.
Which living or dead person do you most admire in your field?
The creator of SoulCollage ®, the late Seena Frost. By following the lead of her own creativity as well as her appreciation for the positive core that exists within each of us, she created a beautiful process that is captivating, meaningful, and accessible to all.
What is your greatest extravagance related to your practice?
Magazine subscriptions! I subscribe to many and have a closet full of images in my home office to bring to workshops and retreats. The wider the selection, the better! One of my favorite ways to decompress is to turn on some chill music and sit with a stack of magazines to tear striking images for use in collages.
What is the quality you most like in a human?
Those who embody this Ralph Waldo Emerson quote: “To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.”
Which talent would you most like to have?
To be able to conduct an orchestra — bringing all that musical talent together to create beautiful, moving music that makes the heart swell — while wearing a great dress!
If you were to die and come back as a person or a thing, what would it be?
A caterpillar — to experience all the forms and phases, savor the beautiful transformation, and then fly!
How do you maintain your practice(s) during challenging times?
By prioritizing it. I’ve found that my day goes much better if, instead of picking up my phone, I begin with what I call the “glow-up” — a walk through my neighborhood, noticing the smallest, exquisite details; listening to a guided meditation; then creating a SoulCollage ® card and journaling with it to find the affirmation that will carry me through the day.
What is your favorite component of your work?
I’m always amazed by the synchronicities and surprises that occur when participants intuitively create collages with seemingly random images, ultimately opening up a portal to their innate wisdom. As they work with their cards, they excavate empowering, insightful messages from within, affirming the strength and grace they possess to move towards their goals and dreams. Tuning into our higher selves in this way is a sacred process.
Who are your heroes in real life?
The many people whose names we don’t know but who fought, protested, and advocated for freedom and equality, even when they were uncertain of the outcome or weren't sure they would live to see the fruits of their labor. That same level of resilience, vision, and optimism is needed right now.
What is your motto?
Work hard, play hard.
“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
