The Esalen Journal

This month, we're looking inward to celebrate a few of our favorite in-house authors and delve deep into the topics and themes vital to the institute — because creating outward change begins with the development of inner strength.

What does it mean to reach toward your growing edge? It might involve some discomfort, perhaps a bit of vulnerability. There is an activated art to pushing into what we typically avoid, and it takes a bit of self-aware stretching to move beyond our fears. Esalen is now producing its own homespun programming — Esalen Deep Growth Experience (EDGE), a new transformational accelerator, to help you explore your edge.

Roller skating massage therapist and “vibe curator” Nick Ayers talks poolside parties, the musical massage table he invented, and his superhero alter ego, Silky Slim. Amen to being “vulnerably witnessed in one’s authenticity” to bring us closer to our humanity!”

Esalen scholar and teacher Marleen Thaler, who has dedicated her academic research to exploring modern interpretations of the enlightenment experience of kuṇḍalinī, shares some of the history of spiritual energy — and Esalen’s role in sharing it with Western minds and bodies.

This month, we’re considering how we can change our outlook without psychedelics (though we remain big fans). Instead, find out how to dream, breathe, or dance your way into a different you.

Language can guide us through our deepest and subtlest encounters with ourselves and the world. Upcoming workshop leaders Sravana Borkataky-Varma and Erik Davis offer a simple exercise to help show how writing can help us work out and work through mysteries that surround us, including the mysteries that we are.

The psychedelic pioneer and father of Holotropic Breathwork® tells us about the early days at Esalen, discovering his life’s work, and how building a garden in a patch of poison oak led to the practice’s supportive system of “breathers” and “sitters.”

Robert Albert, an alumnus of our month-long Live Extended Education Program (LEEP), shares a personal awakening where he drops into a non-ordinary state of consciousness with Holotropic Breathwork®.

Certified nature therapy guide, mindfulness teacher, and Emmy-nominated filmmaker Sylvie Rokab speaks “four and a quarter” languages, dreams of life as a very pampered housecat, and calls the natural world her “greatest love.”

Former scholar-in-residence and current REEP faculty member Marleen Thaler on being at Esalen: “And is there anything more beautiful than feeling comforted at the place closest to your heart?”

Esalen Institute, the New Camaldoli Hermitage, the Tassajara Zen Center, and the Esselen Tribe of Monterey County recently gathered as the Four Winds Council for the first time since the pandemic to unite in their shared mission to protect the sacred wilderness of Big Sur and lands we all treasure.

We asked four faculty members leading upcoming workshops to share the healing practices that have pulled them through dark times and back into the light.

Perry Holloman, a practitioner of Esalen massage, deep bodywork, and body-oriented approaches to relational Gestalt process work for more than 30 years, takes us back to the early 1980s, when the Ivy League undergrad held court as Esalen’s resident dishwasher, chess player, dancer, and preschool teacher.

“With beauty and grace, we set the stage for people to have an amazing inner journey here, creating the space for all to reach their Human Potential.” Esalen’s chief operating officer envisions a new era for the next generation of thought leaders — “We are developing a secure place through training and professional and personal development,” she says excitedly — while staying laser-focused on providing guests memorable experiences.

Birth doula, herbalist, and facilitator of transformational retreats Micha Merrick speaks lovingly about Esalen, harvesting flowers, and her rituals and practices — "There's a lot of pleasure surrounding me as I work" — but it's her "creative flower-child parents" and all the traditional healers who have shared with her their wisdom who make Micha truly grateful.

For April, we’re focused on the concept of healing and the myriad ways Esalen’s visitors can mend from life’s many wounds while here on campus. There are many paths to recovery and transformation — and multiple dimensions that require us to harness powerful forces to achieve some form of restoration. To this end, we’ve selected five books with varied themes, disparate concerns, and radically diverse forms of healing, though ultimately the peace and harmony they are reaching for are all part of a very unified whole. 

We’ve experimented a lot here at Esalen over 60 years. Check out our latest video that touches on some of the transformative theories and ideas that have sparked innovation and reshaped the fields of education, personal growth, psychology, psychedelics, and somatics over the decades.

“This is where the three waters meet.” You might have heard those words spoken as you stood along the creek — a sacred and rare convergence of mineral, sea, and fresh waters — with the fresh part providing our daily drinking water thanks to Esalen’s innovative in-house water system.

Pursuing your potential is an ongoing process that resonates differently for each of us. Whatever your goals, guidance can often be found from the greats. Look upon their works, but do not despair! Instead, be inspired to grow mighty.

After fluttering around the world, Manon Wilde’s restless spirit suddenly alights at Esalen — for now: “Here, I feel connected, accepted, and valued.”

The author of the New York Times bestseller Thought Revolution spent a decade researching and developing a brain-enhancing methodology that tapped into his right brain, which he now refers to as his “better half.” This revolutionized his life, and for nearly three decades, he’s traveled the world sharing this creativity block hack.

“I went from hating my body to loving my body,” shares Dave Morin. The concept of accepting our physical selves and the healing power of touch developed holistically for Western curiosity at Esalen. "Celebrating the body and pleasure supported by the freedom of the '60s and '70s became central,” recalls Peggy Horan.

We asked some of our upcoming workshop leaders to share their favorite spots on campus — where they feel Esalen’s mystique and beauty most acutely.

This month, we search for love in all its myriad forms — philosophically, spiritually, bodily, and psychologically. Here are a few titles to deepen your understanding for the type of love you desire.

Guest Services Supervisor Nani Almanza likens finding her way to Esalen during the pandemic to “washing up on the shore of a beautiful island after being lost at sea.”

Sadia Bruce tells us about living enthusiastically, cultural fluidity, internalized belonging, and maintaining her practice: “What we need today will differ from what we’ll need tomorrow.” An expert in breath-based movement, Sadia shares an integrative, vitalizing understanding of embodied movement to challenge her students and also herself: “I heal and grow even as I offer experiences for others to do the same.”

Peggy Horan found her calling in Esalen Massage®. After managing the Healing Arts department at Esalen for over a decade while teaching workshops and leading teacher training programs, the certified meditation teacher now has a coaching practice. She reflects on the summer of ’69 and the Esalen of that very poignant time in American culture. “I wasn't a hippie,” she says. “But I was fringe; I believed in the movement.” Peggy tells the tale of a formative moment: young dreamers discovering themselves through cutting edge spiritual practices and psychedelics — all to a soundtrack by Joni Mitchell and Joan Baez.

The great psychedelic resurgence is upon us. If your curiosity is piqued, we’ve created a reading list that will expand the mind and understanding of psychedelics today while also honoring the galaxy’s most distinguished pioneers: Huxley, Fadiman, McKenna, Grof — each with a long history at Esalen.

As we awaken into the new year, right now is a good time to reflect on how we communicate and share this planet with one another. Tatyana Sanikovich spent a decade at Esalen and currently works as a leadership and career coach. She draws wisdom from her experiences and shares ways to move forward rather than wallow in the spirals of what if and if only.

In her second installment of “Conversations We Should Be Having,” S. Rae Peoples asks activist and publisher Tim McKee, how he thinks white men can meaningfully contribute to and benefit from racial justice.

Inspired by the recordings of the acclaimed ethnobotanist, mystic, and psychonaut, Hunter Stroope drove his 1984 VW van to see “the space that held Terrance McKenna and his fringe esoteric thinking.”

Internationally respected psychotherapist, executive coach, and Enneagram JEDI (justice, equality, diversity, inclusion) Dr. Deborah Egerton — "Dr. E," as she’s known on campus — tells us about her faith, greatest achievements, and her Spiritual board of directors: “They lead, but the backup chorus of angels is quite remarkable.”

Did you know we have an online version of our on-campus Bookstore? To help you find the perfect presents for loved ones, dreamers, and seekers in your life, we have curated our 2022 Ultimate Esalen Holiday Gift Guide!

Chef Abi and our Farm & Garden collaborate with The Big Share to bring nutritious foods to our Big Sur neighbors and friends.

Licensed clinical psychologist and mind-body medicine researcher Cassandra Vieten explains her love of languages, shares a couple of wise mottos, and lists a few of her inspirations — including Princess Leia and other women who "tell it like it is and then do something about it."

CABinS Supervisors Jess Siller and Aaron Willams share their thoughts on service, clearing spaces, and setting the stage for transformation.

Reflecting on 2022, we have so much to be grateful for — thanks to you. As we chart our next 60 years, we count on your continued partnership and engagement in order to expand our offerings and realize our shared aims.

While searching for a workshop, Chef Abi found a new job, a new home, and a new mission: to build “the next compassionate Esalen Kitchen era.”

Though he’s one of our most beloved teachers, “perpetual student” is the title Master Huang prefers. “I don't want to be the guru…I am always evolving.” The Tai Chi master and teacher honors us with memories of Esalen’s earliest days — almost 60 years back! — alongside the institute’s founders and legends.

Building a relationship with the Esselen tribe — recognized as aboriginal inhabitants of the Big Sur region, and among the first peoples to reside on the sacred land that the Esalen Institute sits on today — starts with receiving the Esselen story directly from members of the tribe, not relying on colonial and mission documentation and revisionist history that has been amplified by academia.

“Land acknowledgment is not just about those words, but about the actions that come after. It's about actually taking the steps to be in right relations to be an ally, to be a supporter. Acknowledgment is a simple way of resisting the eraser of Iindigenous histories and working towards honoring and inviting the truth.”

“Among all our native edible plants, the nut of the bay laurel tree is one of the most delicious,” says Esselen Tribe medicine woman Cari Herthel. Historically enjoyed by California’s Indigenous communities, bay nuts are typically used as a condiment, digestive aid, and stimulant.

Tom “Little Bear” Nason, Tribal Chairman of the Esselen Tribe of Monterey County, takes us back to a moment in time when arriving at Esalen was like entering a tribal village.

Supporting Indigenous people begins with honoring their history and recognizing their past. This month, we’re checking out titles suggested by the Esselen Tribe of Monterey County to learn the truth of what was and still is.

Leading up to her November workshop, Dr. Sravana Borkataky-Varma gifts our readers with an everyday meditation practice, explores the five elements of the physical body, and reveals how she feels about her own practice and Hindu Tantra: “Meditation to me is when the mirror turns inward.”

Holistic therapist, ceremonial leader, and teacher Carlos Sauer shares his worries for the rainforest, the joys he receives from interacting with the spirit world, and his current wish: “that we can all learn from Native peoples how to be kind to one another.”

Medicine woman and vice chair for the Esselen Tribe of Monterey County Cari Herthel reflects on the gift of storytelling and her path of recovery. Fueled by ancestral wisdom and life experiences, Cari explains how grief is a teacher and shares her greatest happiness and the power of daily acknowledgment ("a simple thank you, an act of gratitude”).

John Vosler says he wants to “share everything he has to share” — and he proves that by opening up about his values, his inspirations, and the miraculous happiness he gets seeing his students grow and heal. The multi-lineage Yoga Nidra educator and energetic bodyworker talks about listening to his nervous system, his desire for a bird’s perspective, and the idea of living at Esalen for a full month: “I’m in!”

Medicine woman and Esselen Tribe of Monterey County elder Cari Herthel shares the medicinal plants that inspire a re-emergence of her sensual and wild self. Herthel will lead a November workshop for a historic collaboration between the tribe and the Esalen Institute to nourish a costewardship of this ancient and sacred land.

Esalen’s Farm & Garden was recently blessed with the kind of abundance that feels straight out of a Roald Dahl book! But rather than one giant peach, we have over 1,000 pounds of squash! So Chef Abi cultivated a variety of delicious dishes — including a nourishing curried soup.

What is American food? Where do treasured family recipes actually come from? Our food sources — what we eat, who makes it, and the family history behind them — frequently have origins that have been rendered invisible. While we may associate food with the experience of American culture, we rarely take the time to move through the nuances and complexities of food as it intersects within this nation’s narrative.

After several different lives — med school, tech startups, naturopathic medicine — Shannon found the one place she’ll always come back to: “Esalen has remained a consistent thread in my life. There’s an undeniable magic here!”

This October, we’re marveling at the medicinal gifts nature provides us. To celebrate Mother Earth and the power plants hold to heal and nurture, we’ve selected titles by some brilliant healers and holders of plant wisdom.

World-renowned for his research on microdosing psychedelics, Jim Fadiman was one of Esalen’s first workshop leaders, and he’s continued a lifelong association with this institute ever since. His books include "The Psychedelic Explorer's Guide: Safe, Therapeutic, and Sacred Journeys", "Be Love Now, Essential Sufism", and "The Other Side of Haight".

Award-winning author (A Master Plan for Rescue, Mary; Mrs. A Lincoln, The Russian Word for Snow) and long-time Buddhist practitioner Janis Cooke Newman reveals the mutually reinforcing powers of writing and mindfulness. She tells us about building community, pearls of wisdom she's gained from fellow writers Sharon Salzburg and Ruth Ozeki, and even one perfect motto from His Holiness, the Dalai Lama.

As part of the celebration of the 50th anniversary of Michael Murphy’s mystical bestseller “Golf in the Kingdom”, you have the opportunity to join a Zoom call on Friday, September 23, 2022 with Michael, legendary golf coach Fred Shoemaker, and John Abendroth from Hooked on Golf.

Novelist Vikram Chandra opens up about his happiness, achievements, loves, and challenges. The award-winning author pinpoints every writer’s greatest fear and tells us how choosing the right tools and embracing patience help make art. A true creative spirit, Vikram blesses the musicians — while accepting his own lack of musicality — and explains why giving just one of his readers a single moment of joy is “enough for me.”

Voices of Esalen podcast host Sam Stern shares his own Esalen story, beginning with the history that predates his arrival and continuing through the life, love, purpose, and family he has built around this institution’s ethos.

Akuyoe Graham first journeyed on her own up to Big Sur in pursuit of human potential and individual growth. However, bringing system-impacted teens from Los Angeles to Esalen, an initiative she collaborated on with Programs Director Emerita Nancy Lunney Wheeler, is how they demonstrated collective healing.

As the weather cools and the kids settle back into in-person classes, September 15 marks National Hispanic American Heritage Month. To celebrate this confluence, we’re recommending some fantastic authors to enjoy with the clever teens and young adults in your life.