Visitors are now able to access Esalen as well as other businesses and trails in northern Big Sur via twice-daily convoys on Highway 1 operated by Caltrans.
Convoys run only at 7:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. each day. These are the only opportunities to travel into and out of Big Sur, so visitors must plan accordingly.
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Please note: On Wednesday September 20, online registration may be unavailable for up to 15 minutes while system maintenance is performed. If the 'Register Now' page does not load, please wait about 15 minutes and try again.
Day passes are also available for this workshop.
We humans are curious and since time immemorial, think deeply about non ordinary states of consciousness. While psychotropic plant medicines can induce altered states of consciousness, humans have been gifted with the ability to induce these states on our own. This fall, embark on a weeklong campus-wide transformative journey of self-discovery with Esalen community as we delve into the depths of the mind through African ritual and sacred art.
According to Nigerian-Igbo myth-science, human history can be divided into Four World Ages: eras of Divine Unity, Separation, Civilization, and Chaos. Blending visual art, traditional African cosmology and ritual, and creative expression, this pathway invites profound engagement with ancient wisdom and personal discovery. Participants will experience these stages through guided visualizations and breathwork after watching a film that explores these four stages. Participants will then have the exciting opportunity to create personal oracle card decks based on images from the film for dream realm guidance.
Lightly-structured in a drop-in class format, this program is a unique opportunity to explore your capacity to reach an altered state of consciousness, expand awareness, and tap into the uncharted realms of the mind while allowing time for reflection, integration, and enjoying all the exciting features that Esalen has to offer.
Additional activities can be found on our Open Class schedule.
5:00 PM – 5:45 PM
How to Drop into Esalen with Esalen Staff
Join us in exploring Esalen’s historic, culture-shifting origins, the vision for human potential, and our core values, as we embark on another 60 years of transformational education. Prepare to learn, grow, experiment and evolve as we shepherd you on how best to integrate into this unique community and get the most out of your time on this sacred, ancient land.
7:15 PM – 8:30 PM
Self-Guided Experience Opening Circle with Esalen Staff
Open up your experience with a welcoming group circle and share how to make the most of your time at Esalen.
10:15 AM - 11:30 AM
Deep Currents: Navigating Altered States with Khonsu with Marques Redd
Embark on “Deep Currents,” a transformative journey guided by Khonsu, the ancient Egyptian deity of the moon, meditation, and the ocean. This figure is a member of a pantheon of queer ancient Egyptian deities featured in a sculpture project entitled Myth-Science of the Gatekeepers. This workshop begins with an exploration of Khonsu’s role within this unique pantheon, which sets the stage for a profound aquatic visualization journey. Through the interplay of meditative music and immersive visuals, participants will delve into serene, fluid states of consciousness.
4:30 PM - 5:30 PM
Dreamscapes & Ink: Crafting Consciousness Through Writing with Marques Redd
“Dreamscapes & Ink” invites participants to explore the transformative interplay between dreaming and writing, positioned as a gateway to altered states of consciousness within African spiritual traditions. This workshop emphasizes how capturing and translating dreams into written form can deepen personal insights and spiritual connections. Participants will receive tailored prompts and engage in exercises that encourage the melding of waking thoughts with dream experiences, facilitating a unique form of self-expression.
10:15 AM - 11:30 AM
Ancestral Echoes: Navigating Altered States Through Sacred Temples with Marques Redd
“Ancestral Echoes” offers a deep dive into the transformative potential of connecting with ancestral wisdom within sacred spaces. This workshop begins with a viewing of Blackstar Sanctuary, a virtual reality film that explores an ancient Egyptian temple. This will set the stage for meditation techniques that facilitate encounters with the ancestral realm. Participants will learn how to activate these sacred temple spaces within themselves, using them as conduits to altered states of consciousness.
4:30 PM - 5:30 PM
Roots Reclaimed: Ancestral Gateways to Altered States with Marques Redd
Join us in “Roots Reclaimed,” a workshop that integrates the profound traditions of African ancestor veneration with the exploration of altered states of consciousness. Learn the ancient art of pouring libations to connect with ancestors and discover how these rituals can serve as gateways to expanded awareness and deeper self-discovery. This session offers a unique blend of cultural heritage and personal transformation, providing insights into how ancestral engagement can influence our consciousness and contribute to global healing.
7:30 PM -8:30 PM
The Cosmic Dance of Creation: A Screening of Obi Mbu (The Primordial House) with Marques Redd
Join us for a screening of Obi Mbu (The Primordial House), a 30-minute experimental dance film that vividly animates a Nigerian-Igbo creation myth. In a sumptuous cosmic setting, the film features the deities Eke-Nnechukwu and Chukwu, who embody the dual aspects of the primordial androgynous deity existing as the expansive blackness of space. This screening provides a profound visual and emotional journey into altered states of consciousness and offers a unique intersection of mythology, dance, and cosmic spirituality.
10:15 AM - 11:30 AM
Divine Messages: Crafting Oracles with Tehuti-Maa with Marques Redd
Explore the mystical realm of oracles and divine wisdom in “Divine Messages,” a workshop centered around Tehuti-Maa, the ancient Egyptian deity of universal wisdom. This session invites participants into the world of oracular divination, a crucial aspect of traditional African spirituality. Participants will create their own mini-oracle decks with cards that use images from the Infinite Essence photography series of Mikael Owunna.
4:30 PM - 5:30 PM
Sacred Grounds: Building Altars for Altered States with Marques Redd
“Sacred Grounds” invites participants to immerse themselves in the ancient practice of altar making, a vital component of traditional African spirituality designed to bridge the visible and spiritual realms. This workshop explores the significance of altars as tools for transformation and connection, offering insights into their creation and use to access altered states of consciousness.
10:30 AM – 11:45 AM PDT
Self-Guided Experience Closing Circle with Esalen Staff
We’ll close out the experience by gathering as a group to debrief your time, share insights and how to integrate your time at Esalen when you leave.
Learn more about the requirements to receive continuing education credit.
Dr. Marques Redd is a traditional African cosmologist, independent scholar, filmmaker, sculptor, and art curator based in Pittsburgh, PA. He has degrees from Harvard and UC-Berkeley and has trained in Afro-Cuban, ancient Egyptian, Yoruba, Dogon, Igbo, and Dagara spiritual systems.
Read More
Schedule information is coming soon.
Summer Groovers will experience Esalen in a format similar to our Self Guided Explorations workshops. Each Summer Groove week or weekend will open and close with a circle, and be filled with festive, nostalgic activities that harken back to those days of yore.
More activities can be found on our open class schedule.
See general schedule information including arrival, departure and meal times.
Click Register Now to view availability of accommodations and all-inclusive, program-specific tuition. Please note that not all accommodation levels are available for every workshop and additional faculty fees may apply.
We offer scholarship funds for those with financial need. Learn more.
Please note: On Wednesday September 20, online registration may be unavailable for up to 15 minutes while system maintenance is performed. If the 'Register Now' page does not load, please wait about 15 minutes and try again.
Click Register Now to view availability of accommodations and all-inclusive, program-specific tuition. Please note that not all accommodation levels are available for every workshop and additional faculty fees may apply.
We offer scholarship funds for those with financial need. Learn more.
Please note: On Wednesday September 20, online registration may be unavailable for up to 15 minutes while system maintenance is performed. If the 'Register Now' page does not load, please wait about 15 minutes and try again.
Click Register Now to view availability of accommodations and all-inclusive tuition that includes lodging, three meals per day, access to the baths, and all activities on the Summer Groove schedule.
We offer scholarship funds for those with financial need. Learn more.
For this workshop, you will register and pay for accommodations and tuition in two separate steps.
Second, click Book Accommodations from this page and enter the password to complete your reservation to stay at Esalen.
Prices for accommodations include your lodging, meals, open classes, and use of the baths and other facilities. View partner program accommodations pricing.
As of June 30, 2023 we no longer require a negative COVID test at the time of check in. Please read our current COVID safety guidelines for complete details prior to booking your stay.
All guests and faculty must provide proof of negative test results at time of check-in. Please read our current COVID safety guidelines for complete details prior to booking your stay.
In addition to proof of vaccination, all guests and faculty must provide proof of negative test results at time of check-in. Please read our current COVID safety guidelines for complete details prior to booking your stay.
Effective January 7, 2022 in response to the rapid spread of the new Omicron variant, all guests and faculty will provide proof of negative PCR, NAAT, or antigen test results at time of check-in. The test must be taken within 72 hours nd results must come from a laboratory or healthcare provider.Please read our updated COVID safety guidelines prior to booking your stay.
Effective December 15 in accordance with new guidance from Governor Gavin Newsom and the California Department of Health, all guests, students, staff, residents, and faculty are required to wear masks in all indoor public settings, irrespective of vaccine status, for the next four weeks (December 15, 2021 through January 15, 2022). Please read our updated COVID safety guidelines prior to booking your stay.
Effective November 19, 2021, in accordance with new guidance from the Monterey County Board of Supervisors, all guests, students, staff, residents, and faculty are no longer required to wear masks indoors on campus. Please read our updated COVID safety guidelines prior to booking your stay.
Starting November 5, 2021, due to substantial levels of COVID-19 transmission in Monterey County, a mask mandate established by the Monterey County Board of Supervisors will go into effect. Please read our COVID safety guidelines prior to booking your stay.
All guests will be required to provide proof of vaccination upon arrival starting September 3, 2021. Please read our COVID safety guidelines prior to booking your stay.
Masks are no longer mandated indoors or outdoors, except during massage sessions. Guests are not required to provide testing or vaccination verification before arriving on campus. Please read our COVID safety guidelines prior to booking your stay.
Need a scholarship? Apply here.
Day passes are also available for this workshop.
We humans are curious and since time immemorial, think deeply about non ordinary states of consciousness. While psychotropic plant medicines can induce altered states of consciousness, humans have been gifted with the ability to induce these states on our own. This fall, embark on a weeklong campus-wide transformative journey of self-discovery with Esalen community as we delve into the depths of the mind through African ritual and sacred art.
According to Nigerian-Igbo myth-science, human history can be divided into Four World Ages: eras of Divine Unity, Separation, Civilization, and Chaos. Blending visual art, traditional African cosmology and ritual, and creative expression, this pathway invites profound engagement with ancient wisdom and personal discovery. Participants will experience these stages through guided visualizations and breathwork after watching a film that explores these four stages. Participants will then have the exciting opportunity to create personal oracle card decks based on images from the film for dream realm guidance.
Lightly-structured in a drop-in class format, this program is a unique opportunity to explore your capacity to reach an altered state of consciousness, expand awareness, and tap into the uncharted realms of the mind while allowing time for reflection, integration, and enjoying all the exciting features that Esalen has to offer.
Additional activities can be found on our Open Class schedule.
5:00 PM – 5:45 PM
How to Drop into Esalen with Esalen Staff
Join us in exploring Esalen’s historic, culture-shifting origins, the vision for human potential, and our core values, as we embark on another 60 years of transformational education. Prepare to learn, grow, experiment and evolve as we shepherd you on how best to integrate into this unique community and get the most out of your time on this sacred, ancient land.
7:15 PM – 8:30 PM
Self-Guided Experience Opening Circle with Esalen Staff
Open up your experience with a welcoming group circle and share how to make the most of your time at Esalen.
10:15 AM - 11:30 AM
Deep Currents: Navigating Altered States with Khonsu with Marques Redd
Embark on “Deep Currents,” a transformative journey guided by Khonsu, the ancient Egyptian deity of the moon, meditation, and the ocean. This figure is a member of a pantheon of queer ancient Egyptian deities featured in a sculpture project entitled Myth-Science of the Gatekeepers. This workshop begins with an exploration of Khonsu’s role within this unique pantheon, which sets the stage for a profound aquatic visualization journey. Through the interplay of meditative music and immersive visuals, participants will delve into serene, fluid states of consciousness.
4:30 PM - 5:30 PM
Dreamscapes & Ink: Crafting Consciousness Through Writing with Marques Redd
“Dreamscapes & Ink” invites participants to explore the transformative interplay between dreaming and writing, positioned as a gateway to altered states of consciousness within African spiritual traditions. This workshop emphasizes how capturing and translating dreams into written form can deepen personal insights and spiritual connections. Participants will receive tailored prompts and engage in exercises that encourage the melding of waking thoughts with dream experiences, facilitating a unique form of self-expression.
10:15 AM - 11:30 AM
Ancestral Echoes: Navigating Altered States Through Sacred Temples with Marques Redd
“Ancestral Echoes” offers a deep dive into the transformative potential of connecting with ancestral wisdom within sacred spaces. This workshop begins with a viewing of Blackstar Sanctuary, a virtual reality film that explores an ancient Egyptian temple. This will set the stage for meditation techniques that facilitate encounters with the ancestral realm. Participants will learn how to activate these sacred temple spaces within themselves, using them as conduits to altered states of consciousness.
4:30 PM - 5:30 PM
Roots Reclaimed: Ancestral Gateways to Altered States with Marques Redd
Join us in “Roots Reclaimed,” a workshop that integrates the profound traditions of African ancestor veneration with the exploration of altered states of consciousness. Learn the ancient art of pouring libations to connect with ancestors and discover how these rituals can serve as gateways to expanded awareness and deeper self-discovery. This session offers a unique blend of cultural heritage and personal transformation, providing insights into how ancestral engagement can influence our consciousness and contribute to global healing.
7:30 PM -8:30 PM
The Cosmic Dance of Creation: A Screening of Obi Mbu (The Primordial House) with Marques Redd
Join us for a screening of Obi Mbu (The Primordial House), a 30-minute experimental dance film that vividly animates a Nigerian-Igbo creation myth. In a sumptuous cosmic setting, the film features the deities Eke-Nnechukwu and Chukwu, who embody the dual aspects of the primordial androgynous deity existing as the expansive blackness of space. This screening provides a profound visual and emotional journey into altered states of consciousness and offers a unique intersection of mythology, dance, and cosmic spirituality.
10:15 AM - 11:30 AM
Divine Messages: Crafting Oracles with Tehuti-Maa with Marques Redd
Explore the mystical realm of oracles and divine wisdom in “Divine Messages,” a workshop centered around Tehuti-Maa, the ancient Egyptian deity of universal wisdom. This session invites participants into the world of oracular divination, a crucial aspect of traditional African spirituality. Participants will create their own mini-oracle decks with cards that use images from the Infinite Essence photography series of Mikael Owunna.
4:30 PM - 5:30 PM
Sacred Grounds: Building Altars for Altered States with Marques Redd
“Sacred Grounds” invites participants to immerse themselves in the ancient practice of altar making, a vital component of traditional African spirituality designed to bridge the visible and spiritual realms. This workshop explores the significance of altars as tools for transformation and connection, offering insights into their creation and use to access altered states of consciousness.
10:30 AM – 11:45 AM PDT
Self-Guided Experience Closing Circle with Esalen Staff
We’ll close out the experience by gathering as a group to debrief your time, share insights and how to integrate your time at Esalen when you leave.
Learn more about the requirements to receive continuing education credit.
Dr. Marques Redd is a traditional African cosmologist, independent scholar, filmmaker, sculptor, and art curator based in Pittsburgh, PA. He has degrees from Harvard and UC-Berkeley and has trained in Afro-Cuban, ancient Egyptian, Yoruba, Dogon, Igbo, and Dagara spiritual systems.
Day passes are also available for this workshop.
We humans are curious and since time immemorial, think deeply about non ordinary states of consciousness. While psychotropic plant medicines can induce altered states of consciousness, humans have been gifted with the ability to induce these states on our own. This fall, embark on a weeklong campus-wide transformative journey of self-discovery with Esalen community as we delve into the depths of the mind through African ritual and sacred art.
According to Nigerian-Igbo myth-science, human history can be divided into Four World Ages: eras of Divine Unity, Separation, Civilization, and Chaos. Blending visual art, traditional African cosmology and ritual, and creative expression, this pathway invites profound engagement with ancient wisdom and personal discovery. Participants will experience these stages through guided visualizations and breathwork after watching a film that explores these four stages. Participants will then have the exciting opportunity to create personal oracle card decks based on images from the film for dream realm guidance.
Lightly-structured in a drop-in class format, this program is a unique opportunity to explore your capacity to reach an altered state of consciousness, expand awareness, and tap into the uncharted realms of the mind while allowing time for reflection, integration, and enjoying all the exciting features that Esalen has to offer.
Additional activities can be found on our Open Class schedule.
5:00 PM – 5:45 PM
How to Drop into Esalen with Esalen Staff
Join us in exploring Esalen’s historic, culture-shifting origins, the vision for human potential, and our core values, as we embark on another 60 years of transformational education. Prepare to learn, grow, experiment and evolve as we shepherd you on how best to integrate into this unique community and get the most out of your time on this sacred, ancient land.
7:15 PM – 8:30 PM
Self-Guided Experience Opening Circle with Esalen Staff
Open up your experience with a welcoming group circle and share how to make the most of your time at Esalen.
10:15 AM - 11:30 AM
Deep Currents: Navigating Altered States with Khonsu with Marques Redd
Embark on “Deep Currents,” a transformative journey guided by Khonsu, the ancient Egyptian deity of the moon, meditation, and the ocean. This figure is a member of a pantheon of queer ancient Egyptian deities featured in a sculpture project entitled Myth-Science of the Gatekeepers. This workshop begins with an exploration of Khonsu’s role within this unique pantheon, which sets the stage for a profound aquatic visualization journey. Through the interplay of meditative music and immersive visuals, participants will delve into serene, fluid states of consciousness.
4:30 PM - 5:30 PM
Dreamscapes & Ink: Crafting Consciousness Through Writing with Marques Redd
“Dreamscapes & Ink” invites participants to explore the transformative interplay between dreaming and writing, positioned as a gateway to altered states of consciousness within African spiritual traditions. This workshop emphasizes how capturing and translating dreams into written form can deepen personal insights and spiritual connections. Participants will receive tailored prompts and engage in exercises that encourage the melding of waking thoughts with dream experiences, facilitating a unique form of self-expression.
10:15 AM - 11:30 AM
Ancestral Echoes: Navigating Altered States Through Sacred Temples with Marques Redd
“Ancestral Echoes” offers a deep dive into the transformative potential of connecting with ancestral wisdom within sacred spaces. This workshop begins with a viewing of Blackstar Sanctuary, a virtual reality film that explores an ancient Egyptian temple. This will set the stage for meditation techniques that facilitate encounters with the ancestral realm. Participants will learn how to activate these sacred temple spaces within themselves, using them as conduits to altered states of consciousness.
4:30 PM - 5:30 PM
Roots Reclaimed: Ancestral Gateways to Altered States with Marques Redd
Join us in “Roots Reclaimed,” a workshop that integrates the profound traditions of African ancestor veneration with the exploration of altered states of consciousness. Learn the ancient art of pouring libations to connect with ancestors and discover how these rituals can serve as gateways to expanded awareness and deeper self-discovery. This session offers a unique blend of cultural heritage and personal transformation, providing insights into how ancestral engagement can influence our consciousness and contribute to global healing.
7:30 PM -8:30 PM
The Cosmic Dance of Creation: A Screening of Obi Mbu (The Primordial House) with Marques Redd
Join us for a screening of Obi Mbu (The Primordial House), a 30-minute experimental dance film that vividly animates a Nigerian-Igbo creation myth. In a sumptuous cosmic setting, the film features the deities Eke-Nnechukwu and Chukwu, who embody the dual aspects of the primordial androgynous deity existing as the expansive blackness of space. This screening provides a profound visual and emotional journey into altered states of consciousness and offers a unique intersection of mythology, dance, and cosmic spirituality.
10:15 AM - 11:30 AM
Divine Messages: Crafting Oracles with Tehuti-Maa with Marques Redd
Explore the mystical realm of oracles and divine wisdom in “Divine Messages,” a workshop centered around Tehuti-Maa, the ancient Egyptian deity of universal wisdom. This session invites participants into the world of oracular divination, a crucial aspect of traditional African spirituality. Participants will create their own mini-oracle decks with cards that use images from the Infinite Essence photography series of Mikael Owunna.
4:30 PM - 5:30 PM
Sacred Grounds: Building Altars for Altered States with Marques Redd
“Sacred Grounds” invites participants to immerse themselves in the ancient practice of altar making, a vital component of traditional African spirituality designed to bridge the visible and spiritual realms. This workshop explores the significance of altars as tools for transformation and connection, offering insights into their creation and use to access altered states of consciousness.
10:30 AM – 11:45 AM PDT
Self-Guided Experience Closing Circle with Esalen Staff
We’ll close out the experience by gathering as a group to debrief your time, share insights and how to integrate your time at Esalen when you leave.
September 9–13, 2024
This program is full. Find another.
Applications are closed.
Applications are closed.
Day passes are also available for this workshop.
We humans are curious and since time immemorial, think deeply about non ordinary states of consciousness. While psychotropic plant medicines can induce altered states of consciousness, humans have been gifted with the ability to induce these states on our own. This fall, embark on a weeklong campus-wide transformative journey of self-discovery with Esalen community as we delve into the depths of the mind through African ritual and sacred art.
According to Nigerian-Igbo myth-science, human history can be divided into Four World Ages: eras of Divine Unity, Separation, Civilization, and Chaos. Blending visual art, traditional African cosmology and ritual, and creative expression, this pathway invites profound engagement with ancient wisdom and personal discovery. Participants will experience these stages through guided visualizations and breathwork after watching a film that explores these four stages. Participants will then have the exciting opportunity to create personal oracle card decks based on images from the film for dream realm guidance.
Lightly-structured in a drop-in class format, this program is a unique opportunity to explore your capacity to reach an altered state of consciousness, expand awareness, and tap into the uncharted realms of the mind while allowing time for reflection, integration, and enjoying all the exciting features that Esalen has to offer.
Additional activities can be found on our Open Class schedule.
5:00 PM – 5:45 PM
How to Drop into Esalen with Esalen Staff
Join us in exploring Esalen’s historic, culture-shifting origins, the vision for human potential, and our core values, as we embark on another 60 years of transformational education. Prepare to learn, grow, experiment and evolve as we shepherd you on how best to integrate into this unique community and get the most out of your time on this sacred, ancient land.
7:15 PM – 8:30 PM
Self-Guided Experience Opening Circle with Esalen Staff
Open up your experience with a welcoming group circle and share how to make the most of your time at Esalen.
10:15 AM - 11:30 AM
Deep Currents: Navigating Altered States with Khonsu with Marques Redd
Embark on “Deep Currents,” a transformative journey guided by Khonsu, the ancient Egyptian deity of the moon, meditation, and the ocean. This figure is a member of a pantheon of queer ancient Egyptian deities featured in a sculpture project entitled Myth-Science of the Gatekeepers. This workshop begins with an exploration of Khonsu’s role within this unique pantheon, which sets the stage for a profound aquatic visualization journey. Through the interplay of meditative music and immersive visuals, participants will delve into serene, fluid states of consciousness.
4:30 PM - 5:30 PM
Dreamscapes & Ink: Crafting Consciousness Through Writing with Marques Redd
“Dreamscapes & Ink” invites participants to explore the transformative interplay between dreaming and writing, positioned as a gateway to altered states of consciousness within African spiritual traditions. This workshop emphasizes how capturing and translating dreams into written form can deepen personal insights and spiritual connections. Participants will receive tailored prompts and engage in exercises that encourage the melding of waking thoughts with dream experiences, facilitating a unique form of self-expression.
10:15 AM - 11:30 AM
Ancestral Echoes: Navigating Altered States Through Sacred Temples with Marques Redd
“Ancestral Echoes” offers a deep dive into the transformative potential of connecting with ancestral wisdom within sacred spaces. This workshop begins with a viewing of Blackstar Sanctuary, a virtual reality film that explores an ancient Egyptian temple. This will set the stage for meditation techniques that facilitate encounters with the ancestral realm. Participants will learn how to activate these sacred temple spaces within themselves, using them as conduits to altered states of consciousness.
4:30 PM - 5:30 PM
Roots Reclaimed: Ancestral Gateways to Altered States with Marques Redd
Join us in “Roots Reclaimed,” a workshop that integrates the profound traditions of African ancestor veneration with the exploration of altered states of consciousness. Learn the ancient art of pouring libations to connect with ancestors and discover how these rituals can serve as gateways to expanded awareness and deeper self-discovery. This session offers a unique blend of cultural heritage and personal transformation, providing insights into how ancestral engagement can influence our consciousness and contribute to global healing.
7:30 PM -8:30 PM
The Cosmic Dance of Creation: A Screening of Obi Mbu (The Primordial House) with Marques Redd
Join us for a screening of Obi Mbu (The Primordial House), a 30-minute experimental dance film that vividly animates a Nigerian-Igbo creation myth. In a sumptuous cosmic setting, the film features the deities Eke-Nnechukwu and Chukwu, who embody the dual aspects of the primordial androgynous deity existing as the expansive blackness of space. This screening provides a profound visual and emotional journey into altered states of consciousness and offers a unique intersection of mythology, dance, and cosmic spirituality.
10:15 AM - 11:30 AM
Divine Messages: Crafting Oracles with Tehuti-Maa with Marques Redd
Explore the mystical realm of oracles and divine wisdom in “Divine Messages,” a workshop centered around Tehuti-Maa, the ancient Egyptian deity of universal wisdom. This session invites participants into the world of oracular divination, a crucial aspect of traditional African spirituality. Participants will create their own mini-oracle decks with cards that use images from the Infinite Essence photography series of Mikael Owunna.
4:30 PM - 5:30 PM
Sacred Grounds: Building Altars for Altered States with Marques Redd
“Sacred Grounds” invites participants to immerse themselves in the ancient practice of altar making, a vital component of traditional African spirituality designed to bridge the visible and spiritual realms. This workshop explores the significance of altars as tools for transformation and connection, offering insights into their creation and use to access altered states of consciousness.
10:30 AM – 11:45 AM PDT
Self-Guided Experience Closing Circle with Esalen Staff
We’ll close out the experience by gathering as a group to debrief your time, share insights and how to integrate your time at Esalen when you leave.
Learn more about the requirements to receive continuing education credit.
Dr. Marques Redd is a traditional African cosmologist, independent scholar, filmmaker, sculptor, and art curator based in Pittsburgh, PA. He has degrees from Harvard and UC-Berkeley and has trained in Afro-Cuban, ancient Egyptian, Yoruba, Dogon, Igbo, and Dagara spiritual systems.
Please note: On Wednesday September 20, online registration may be unavailable for up to 15 minutes while system maintenance is performed. If the 'Register Now' page does not load, please wait about 15 minutes and try again.
The rich text element allows you to create and format headings, paragraphs, blockquotes, images, and video all in one place instead of having to add and format them individually. Just double-click and easily create content.
The rich text element allows you to create and format headings, paragraphs, blockquotes, images, and video all in one place instead of having to add and format them individually. Just double-click and easily create content.A rich text element can be used with static or dynamic content. For static content, just drop it into any page and begin editing. For dynamic content, add a rich text field to any collection and then connect a rich text element to that field in the settings panel. Voila!
A rich text element can be used with static or dynamic content. For static content, just drop it into any page and begin editing. For dynamic content, add a rich text field to any collection and then connect a rich text element to that field in the settings panel. Voila!Headings, paragraphs, blockquotes, figures, images, and figure captions can all be styled after a class is added to the rich text element using the "When inside of" nested selector system.
Headings, paragraphs, blockquotes, figures, images, and figure captions can all be styled after a class is added to the rich text element using the "When inside of" nested selector system.Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Learn more about the requirements to receive continuing education credit.
The rich text element allows you to create and format headings, paragraphs, blockquotes, images, and video all in one place instead of having to add and format them individually. Just double-click and easily create content.
The rich text element allows you to create and format headings, paragraphs, blockquotes, images, and video all in one place instead of having to add and format them individually. Just double-click and easily create content.A rich text element can be used with static or dynamic content. For static content, just drop it into any page and begin editing. For dynamic content, add a rich text field to any collection and then connect a rich text element to that field in the settings panel. Voila!
A rich text element can be used with static or dynamic content. For static content, just drop it into any page and begin editing. For dynamic content, add a rich text field to any collection and then connect a rich text element to that field in the settings panel. Voila!Headings, paragraphs, blockquotes, figures, images, and figure captions can all be styled after a class is added to the rich text element using the "When inside of" nested selector system.
Headings, paragraphs, blockquotes, figures, images, and figure captions can all be styled after a class is added to the rich text element using the "When inside of" nested selector system.Summer Groovers will experience Esalen in a format similar to our Self Guided Explorations workshops. Each Summer Groove week or weekend will open and close with a circle, and be filled with festive, nostalgic activities that harken back to those days of yore.
More activities can be found on our open class schedule.
See general schedule information including arrival, departure and meal times.
Click Register Now to view availability of accommodations and all-inclusive, program-specific tuition. Please note that not all accommodation levels are available for every workshop and additional faculty fees may apply.
We offer scholarship funds for those with financial need. Learn more.
Please note: On Wednesday September 20, online registration may be unavailable for up to 15 minutes while system maintenance is performed. If the 'Register Now' page does not load, please wait about 15 minutes and try again.
Click Register Now to view availability of accommodations and all-inclusive tuition that includes lodging, three meals per day, access to the baths, and all activities on the Summer Groove schedule.
We offer scholarship funds for those with financial need. Learn more.
For this workshop, you will register and pay for accommodations and tuition in two separate steps.
Second, click Book Accommodations from this page and enter the password to complete your reservation to stay at Esalen.
Prices for accommodations include your lodging, meals, open classes, and use of the baths and other facilities. View partner program accommodations pricing.
As of June 30, 2023 we no longer require a negative COVID test at the time of check in. Please read our current COVID safety guidelines for complete details prior to booking your stay.
All guests and faculty must provide proof of negative test results at time of check-in. Please read our current COVID safety guidelines for complete details prior to booking your stay.
In addition to proof of vaccination, all guests and faculty must provide proof of negative test results at time of check-in. Please read our current COVID safety guidelines for complete details prior to booking your stay.
Effective January 7, 2022 in response to the rapid spread of the new Omicron variant, all guests and faculty will provide proof of negative PCR, NAAT, or antigen test results at time of check-in. The test must be taken within 72 hours nd results must come from a laboratory or healthcare provider.Please read our updated COVID safety guidelines prior to booking your stay.
Effective December 15 in accordance with new guidance from Governor Gavin Newsom and the California Department of Health, all guests, students, staff, residents, and faculty are required to wear masks in all indoor public settings, irrespective of vaccine status, for the next four weeks (December 15, 2021 through January 15, 2022). Please read our updated COVID safety guidelines prior to booking your stay.
Effective November 19, 2021, in accordance with new guidance from the Monterey County Board of Supervisors, all guests, students, staff, residents, and faculty are no longer required to wear masks indoors on campus. Please read our updated COVID safety guidelines prior to booking your stay.
Starting November 5, 2021, due to substantial levels of COVID-19 transmission in Monterey County, a mask mandate established by the Monterey County Board of Supervisors will go into effect. Please read our COVID safety guidelines prior to booking your stay.
All guests will be required to provide proof of vaccination upon arrival starting September 3, 2021. Please read our COVID safety guidelines prior to booking your stay.
Masks are no longer mandated indoors or outdoors, except during massage sessions. Guests are not required to provide testing or vaccination verification before arriving on campus. Please read our COVID safety guidelines prior to booking your stay.
The rich text element allows you to create and format headings, paragraphs, blockquotes, images, and video all in one place instead of having to add and format them individually. Just double-click and easily create content.
The rich text element allows you to create and format headings, paragraphs, blockquotes, images, and video all in one place instead of having to add and format them individually. Just double-click and easily create content.A rich text element can be used with static or dynamic content. For static content, just drop it into any page and begin editing. For dynamic content, add a rich text field to any collection and then connect a rich text element to that field in the settings panel. Voila!
A rich text element can be used with static or dynamic content. For static content, just drop it into any page and begin editing. For dynamic content, add a rich text field to any collection and then connect a rich text element to that field in the settings panel. Voila!Headings, paragraphs, blockquotes, figures, images, and figure captions can all be styled after a class is added to the rich text element using the "When inside of" nested selector system.
Headings, paragraphs, blockquotes, figures, images, and figure captions can all be styled after a class is added to the rich text element using the "When inside of" nested selector system.The rich text element allows you to create and format headings, paragraphs, blockquotes, images, and video all in one place instead of having to add and format them individually. Just double-click and easily create content.
The rich text element allows you to create and format headings, paragraphs, blockquotes, images, and video all in one place instead of having to add and format them individually. Just double-click and easily create content.A rich text element can be used with static or dynamic content. For static content, just drop it into any page and begin editing. For dynamic content, add a rich text field to any collection and then connect a rich text element to that field in the settings panel. Voila!
A rich text element can be used with static or dynamic content. For static content, just drop it into any page and begin editing. For dynamic content, add a rich text field to any collection and then connect a rich text element to that field in the settings panel. Voila!Headings, paragraphs, blockquotes, figures, images, and figure captions can all be styled after a class is added to the rich text element using the "When inside of" nested selector system.
Headings, paragraphs, blockquotes, figures, images, and figure captions can all be styled after a class is added to the rich text element using the "When inside of" nested selector system.Learn more about the requirements to receive continuing education credit.
September 9–13, 2024
This program is full. Find another.
Applications are closed.
Applications are closed.
Day passes are also available for this workshop.
We humans are curious and since time immemorial, think deeply about non ordinary states of consciousness. While psychotropic plant medicines can induce altered states of consciousness, humans have been gifted with the ability to induce these states on our own. This fall, embark on a weeklong campus-wide transformative journey of self-discovery with Esalen community as we delve into the depths of the mind through African ritual and sacred art.
According to Nigerian-Igbo myth-science, human history can be divided into Four World Ages: eras of Divine Unity, Separation, Civilization, and Chaos. Blending visual art, traditional African cosmology and ritual, and creative expression, this pathway invites profound engagement with ancient wisdom and personal discovery. Participants will experience these stages through guided visualizations and breathwork after watching a film that explores these four stages. Participants will then have the exciting opportunity to create personal oracle card decks based on images from the film for dream realm guidance.
Lightly-structured in a drop-in class format, this program is a unique opportunity to explore your capacity to reach an altered state of consciousness, expand awareness, and tap into the uncharted realms of the mind while allowing time for reflection, integration, and enjoying all the exciting features that Esalen has to offer.
Additional activities can be found on our Open Class schedule.
5:00 PM – 5:45 PM
How to Drop into Esalen with Esalen Staff
Join us in exploring Esalen’s historic, culture-shifting origins, the vision for human potential, and our core values, as we embark on another 60 years of transformational education. Prepare to learn, grow, experiment and evolve as we shepherd you on how best to integrate into this unique community and get the most out of your time on this sacred, ancient land.
7:15 PM – 8:30 PM
Self-Guided Experience Opening Circle with Esalen Staff
Open up your experience with a welcoming group circle and share how to make the most of your time at Esalen.
10:15 AM - 11:30 AM
Deep Currents: Navigating Altered States with Khonsu with Marques Redd
Embark on “Deep Currents,” a transformative journey guided by Khonsu, the ancient Egyptian deity of the moon, meditation, and the ocean. This figure is a member of a pantheon of queer ancient Egyptian deities featured in a sculpture project entitled Myth-Science of the Gatekeepers. This workshop begins with an exploration of Khonsu’s role within this unique pantheon, which sets the stage for a profound aquatic visualization journey. Through the interplay of meditative music and immersive visuals, participants will delve into serene, fluid states of consciousness.
4:30 PM - 5:30 PM
Dreamscapes & Ink: Crafting Consciousness Through Writing with Marques Redd
“Dreamscapes & Ink” invites participants to explore the transformative interplay between dreaming and writing, positioned as a gateway to altered states of consciousness within African spiritual traditions. This workshop emphasizes how capturing and translating dreams into written form can deepen personal insights and spiritual connections. Participants will receive tailored prompts and engage in exercises that encourage the melding of waking thoughts with dream experiences, facilitating a unique form of self-expression.
10:15 AM - 11:30 AM
Ancestral Echoes: Navigating Altered States Through Sacred Temples with Marques Redd
“Ancestral Echoes” offers a deep dive into the transformative potential of connecting with ancestral wisdom within sacred spaces. This workshop begins with a viewing of Blackstar Sanctuary, a virtual reality film that explores an ancient Egyptian temple. This will set the stage for meditation techniques that facilitate encounters with the ancestral realm. Participants will learn how to activate these sacred temple spaces within themselves, using them as conduits to altered states of consciousness.
4:30 PM - 5:30 PM
Roots Reclaimed: Ancestral Gateways to Altered States with Marques Redd
Join us in “Roots Reclaimed,” a workshop that integrates the profound traditions of African ancestor veneration with the exploration of altered states of consciousness. Learn the ancient art of pouring libations to connect with ancestors and discover how these rituals can serve as gateways to expanded awareness and deeper self-discovery. This session offers a unique blend of cultural heritage and personal transformation, providing insights into how ancestral engagement can influence our consciousness and contribute to global healing.
7:30 PM -8:30 PM
The Cosmic Dance of Creation: A Screening of Obi Mbu (The Primordial House) with Marques Redd
Join us for a screening of Obi Mbu (The Primordial House), a 30-minute experimental dance film that vividly animates a Nigerian-Igbo creation myth. In a sumptuous cosmic setting, the film features the deities Eke-Nnechukwu and Chukwu, who embody the dual aspects of the primordial androgynous deity existing as the expansive blackness of space. This screening provides a profound visual and emotional journey into altered states of consciousness and offers a unique intersection of mythology, dance, and cosmic spirituality.
10:15 AM - 11:30 AM
Divine Messages: Crafting Oracles with Tehuti-Maa with Marques Redd
Explore the mystical realm of oracles and divine wisdom in “Divine Messages,” a workshop centered around Tehuti-Maa, the ancient Egyptian deity of universal wisdom. This session invites participants into the world of oracular divination, a crucial aspect of traditional African spirituality. Participants will create their own mini-oracle decks with cards that use images from the Infinite Essence photography series of Mikael Owunna.
4:30 PM - 5:30 PM
Sacred Grounds: Building Altars for Altered States with Marques Redd
“Sacred Grounds” invites participants to immerse themselves in the ancient practice of altar making, a vital component of traditional African spirituality designed to bridge the visible and spiritual realms. This workshop explores the significance of altars as tools for transformation and connection, offering insights into their creation and use to access altered states of consciousness.
10:30 AM – 11:45 AM PDT
Self-Guided Experience Closing Circle with Esalen Staff
We’ll close out the experience by gathering as a group to debrief your time, share insights and how to integrate your time at Esalen when you leave.
Learn more about the requirements to receive continuing education credit.
Dr. Marques Redd is a traditional African cosmologist, independent scholar, filmmaker, sculptor, and art curator based in Pittsburgh, PA. He has degrees from Harvard and UC-Berkeley and has trained in Afro-Cuban, ancient Egyptian, Yoruba, Dogon, Igbo, and Dagara spiritual systems.
The rich text element allows you to create and format headings, paragraphs, blockquotes, images, and video all in one place instead of having to add and format them individually. Just double-click and easily create content.
The rich text element allows you to create and format headings, paragraphs, blockquotes, images, and video all in one place instead of having to add and format them individually. Just double-click and easily create content.A rich text element can be used with static or dynamic content. For static content, just drop it into any page and begin editing. For dynamic content, add a rich text field to any collection and then connect a rich text element to that field in the settings panel. Voila!
A rich text element can be used with static or dynamic content. For static content, just drop it into any page and begin editing. For dynamic content, add a rich text field to any collection and then connect a rich text element to that field in the settings panel. Voila!Headings, paragraphs, blockquotes, figures, images, and figure captions can all be styled after a class is added to the rich text element using the "When inside of" nested selector system.
Headings, paragraphs, blockquotes, figures, images, and figure captions can all be styled after a class is added to the rich text element using the "When inside of" nested selector system.Esalen Institute
55000 Highway 1
Big Sur, CA 93920
US: 1-831-667-3000
info@esalen.org