Many changes came to Esalen this year, some greatly anticipated such as the completion of the Lodge renovation, while others were unexpected and tested our greater Big Sur community. Here are just a few of the memorable events from 2016:
The Lodge Renovation
This year marks the culmination of a vision to restore one of the hearts of Esalen – the iconic Lodge – to a more sustainable and larger home for generations to come. The renovation included a new kitchen and dining hall, an expanded bookstore and front office, as well as a new second floor to house a re-envision Huxley meeting room complete with celestial windows to illuminate solstice and equinox sunsets. Additional touches include sacred geometry motifs in skylights and fixtures and a first-floor mosaic hand-made in an Esalen workshop.
The Soberanes Fire
What began as an illegal campfire burning a few miles east of Highway 1 last summer grew into the Soberanes Fire that charred more than 132,000 acres – an area roughly four times as large as San Francisco. At least 50 homes were destroyed and one life was lost as the fire burned through Garrapata State Park and portions of the Los Padres National Forest. Multiple funds were set up to support those impacted by the fire, including the Community Foundation for Monterey County Soberanes Fire Fund.
Jeff Kripal Named Board Chair
The start of 2016 brought transitions in Esalen’s Board of Trustee leadership as Center for Theory & Research co-director Jeff Kripal was appointed the new chair following two years as a trustee. He holds the J. Newton Rayzor Chair in Philosophy and Religious Thought at Rice University and for eight years he also chaired the Department of Religion.
Jeff is also the author of one of the definitive books on the history of Esalen: Esalen: America and the Religion of No Religion.
Virtual Reality Comes to Esalen
Visitors to Esalen know to expect the unexpected, but that took a new form this year with the inaugural workshop The Path of Wisdompreneur: Shifting the Paradigm. The gathering explored the impact of virtual, augmented, and mixed realities on mindful attention. Highlights from the workshop were featured on Huffington Post.
Benefit Weekend
Many of Esalen’s most ardent friends, old and new, gathered for a weekend of connection and inspiration. Joined by co-founder Michael Murphy, Board of Trustees Chair Jeff Kripal, special guest Reverend Michael Bernard Beckwith and many others, attendees commemorated the completion of the Lodge renovation and participated in mini-workshops throughout the weekend. Ken and Maddy Dychtwald, long-term friends of Esalen, were recognized with the Esalen Prize for their work in aging. Generous donations given as part of Benefit Weekend helped to advance Esalen’s Campus Renewal campaign to nearly 75% of its $5 million goal.
“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?
Many changes came to Esalen this year, some greatly anticipated such as the completion of the Lodge renovation, while others were unexpected and tested our greater Big Sur community. Here are just a few of the memorable events from 2016:
The Lodge Renovation
This year marks the culmination of a vision to restore one of the hearts of Esalen – the iconic Lodge – to a more sustainable and larger home for generations to come. The renovation included a new kitchen and dining hall, an expanded bookstore and front office, as well as a new second floor to house a re-envision Huxley meeting room complete with celestial windows to illuminate solstice and equinox sunsets. Additional touches include sacred geometry motifs in skylights and fixtures and a first-floor mosaic hand-made in an Esalen workshop.
The Soberanes Fire
What began as an illegal campfire burning a few miles east of Highway 1 last summer grew into the Soberanes Fire that charred more than 132,000 acres – an area roughly four times as large as San Francisco. At least 50 homes were destroyed and one life was lost as the fire burned through Garrapata State Park and portions of the Los Padres National Forest. Multiple funds were set up to support those impacted by the fire, including the Community Foundation for Monterey County Soberanes Fire Fund.
Jeff Kripal Named Board Chair
The start of 2016 brought transitions in Esalen’s Board of Trustee leadership as Center for Theory & Research co-director Jeff Kripal was appointed the new chair following two years as a trustee. He holds the J. Newton Rayzor Chair in Philosophy and Religious Thought at Rice University and for eight years he also chaired the Department of Religion.
Jeff is also the author of one of the definitive books on the history of Esalen: Esalen: America and the Religion of No Religion.
Virtual Reality Comes to Esalen
Visitors to Esalen know to expect the unexpected, but that took a new form this year with the inaugural workshop The Path of Wisdompreneur: Shifting the Paradigm. The gathering explored the impact of virtual, augmented, and mixed realities on mindful attention. Highlights from the workshop were featured on Huffington Post.
Benefit Weekend
Many of Esalen’s most ardent friends, old and new, gathered for a weekend of connection and inspiration. Joined by co-founder Michael Murphy, Board of Trustees Chair Jeff Kripal, special guest Reverend Michael Bernard Beckwith and many others, attendees commemorated the completion of the Lodge renovation and participated in mini-workshops throughout the weekend. Ken and Maddy Dychtwald, long-term friends of Esalen, were recognized with the Esalen Prize for their work in aging. Generous donations given as part of Benefit Weekend helped to advance Esalen’s Campus Renewal campaign to nearly 75% of its $5 million goal.
“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?
Many changes came to Esalen this year, some greatly anticipated such as the completion of the Lodge renovation, while others were unexpected and tested our greater Big Sur community. Here are just a few of the memorable events from 2016:
The Lodge Renovation
This year marks the culmination of a vision to restore one of the hearts of Esalen – the iconic Lodge – to a more sustainable and larger home for generations to come. The renovation included a new kitchen and dining hall, an expanded bookstore and front office, as well as a new second floor to house a re-envision Huxley meeting room complete with celestial windows to illuminate solstice and equinox sunsets. Additional touches include sacred geometry motifs in skylights and fixtures and a first-floor mosaic hand-made in an Esalen workshop.
The Soberanes Fire
What began as an illegal campfire burning a few miles east of Highway 1 last summer grew into the Soberanes Fire that charred more than 132,000 acres – an area roughly four times as large as San Francisco. At least 50 homes were destroyed and one life was lost as the fire burned through Garrapata State Park and portions of the Los Padres National Forest. Multiple funds were set up to support those impacted by the fire, including the Community Foundation for Monterey County Soberanes Fire Fund.
Jeff Kripal Named Board Chair
The start of 2016 brought transitions in Esalen’s Board of Trustee leadership as Center for Theory & Research co-director Jeff Kripal was appointed the new chair following two years as a trustee. He holds the J. Newton Rayzor Chair in Philosophy and Religious Thought at Rice University and for eight years he also chaired the Department of Religion.
Jeff is also the author of one of the definitive books on the history of Esalen: Esalen: America and the Religion of No Religion.
Virtual Reality Comes to Esalen
Visitors to Esalen know to expect the unexpected, but that took a new form this year with the inaugural workshop The Path of Wisdompreneur: Shifting the Paradigm. The gathering explored the impact of virtual, augmented, and mixed realities on mindful attention. Highlights from the workshop were featured on Huffington Post.
Benefit Weekend
Many of Esalen’s most ardent friends, old and new, gathered for a weekend of connection and inspiration. Joined by co-founder Michael Murphy, Board of Trustees Chair Jeff Kripal, special guest Reverend Michael Bernard Beckwith and many others, attendees commemorated the completion of the Lodge renovation and participated in mini-workshops throughout the weekend. Ken and Maddy Dychtwald, long-term friends of Esalen, were recognized with the Esalen Prize for their work in aging. Generous donations given as part of Benefit Weekend helped to advance Esalen’s Campus Renewal campaign to nearly 75% of its $5 million goal.
“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