Before working at Esalen, Jess Siller commuted two hours each way into Manhattan from Staten Island. She was working for a large cleaning corporation where “I felt underappreciated and often ignored. Deep within, I felt uncomfortable and out of place.”
Frustrated, yet in a space for seeking, Jess discovered Esalen while reading Michael Pollan’s How to Change Your Mind.
“A page and a half description about Esalen piqued my interest enough to check out the website,” shared Jess. “Weeks later, I found myself booking a Yoga Nidra week-long workshop. That week ended up being one of the most life-changing weeks of my life. I met incredible people, had the most stimulating conversations, and was given the opportunity to be vulnerable, heard, and validated for the various traumas I experienced throughout my life. For the first time in my 27 years on this earth, I felt safe.”
For Jess, who holds the position of Cabins Supervisor at Esalen, what has been most healing is the community she has built and continues to build within 55000 Highway 1.
“It’s the ability to be my authentic self and feel safe doing so. The permission to be vulnerable and to feel heard. The idea that there is a more holistic, kind, and loving way of experiencing life. Coming to Esalen has not only changed my life, but saved it. Before Esalen, I was living on the surface. Filling my life with things, rather than filling my soul with purpose. Esalen helped me discover that I find immense joy in being of service — helping people get to where they want to be, spiritually, physically, and emotionally. I'm learning how to cultivate joy within myself, and although it is me who is consciously making the changes needed to create that joy, I owe a lot of that remembering to Esalen.
“I've found purpose in helping to create the safe space that held me so carefully here — for every person who comes down that hill. The fact that this born and raised Staten Island, New Yorker, found, visited, and now gets to live and work at Esalen is a miracle that I'm grateful for every single day.”
“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?
Before working at Esalen, Jess Siller commuted two hours each way into Manhattan from Staten Island. She was working for a large cleaning corporation where “I felt underappreciated and often ignored. Deep within, I felt uncomfortable and out of place.”
Frustrated, yet in a space for seeking, Jess discovered Esalen while reading Michael Pollan’s How to Change Your Mind.
“A page and a half description about Esalen piqued my interest enough to check out the website,” shared Jess. “Weeks later, I found myself booking a Yoga Nidra week-long workshop. That week ended up being one of the most life-changing weeks of my life. I met incredible people, had the most stimulating conversations, and was given the opportunity to be vulnerable, heard, and validated for the various traumas I experienced throughout my life. For the first time in my 27 years on this earth, I felt safe.”
For Jess, who holds the position of Cabins Supervisor at Esalen, what has been most healing is the community she has built and continues to build within 55000 Highway 1.
“It’s the ability to be my authentic self and feel safe doing so. The permission to be vulnerable and to feel heard. The idea that there is a more holistic, kind, and loving way of experiencing life. Coming to Esalen has not only changed my life, but saved it. Before Esalen, I was living on the surface. Filling my life with things, rather than filling my soul with purpose. Esalen helped me discover that I find immense joy in being of service — helping people get to where they want to be, spiritually, physically, and emotionally. I'm learning how to cultivate joy within myself, and although it is me who is consciously making the changes needed to create that joy, I owe a lot of that remembering to Esalen.
“I've found purpose in helping to create the safe space that held me so carefully here — for every person who comes down that hill. The fact that this born and raised Staten Island, New Yorker, found, visited, and now gets to live and work at Esalen is a miracle that I'm grateful for every single day.”
“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?
Before working at Esalen, Jess Siller commuted two hours each way into Manhattan from Staten Island. She was working for a large cleaning corporation where “I felt underappreciated and often ignored. Deep within, I felt uncomfortable and out of place.”
Frustrated, yet in a space for seeking, Jess discovered Esalen while reading Michael Pollan’s How to Change Your Mind.
“A page and a half description about Esalen piqued my interest enough to check out the website,” shared Jess. “Weeks later, I found myself booking a Yoga Nidra week-long workshop. That week ended up being one of the most life-changing weeks of my life. I met incredible people, had the most stimulating conversations, and was given the opportunity to be vulnerable, heard, and validated for the various traumas I experienced throughout my life. For the first time in my 27 years on this earth, I felt safe.”
For Jess, who holds the position of Cabins Supervisor at Esalen, what has been most healing is the community she has built and continues to build within 55000 Highway 1.
“It’s the ability to be my authentic self and feel safe doing so. The permission to be vulnerable and to feel heard. The idea that there is a more holistic, kind, and loving way of experiencing life. Coming to Esalen has not only changed my life, but saved it. Before Esalen, I was living on the surface. Filling my life with things, rather than filling my soul with purpose. Esalen helped me discover that I find immense joy in being of service — helping people get to where they want to be, spiritually, physically, and emotionally. I'm learning how to cultivate joy within myself, and although it is me who is consciously making the changes needed to create that joy, I owe a lot of that remembering to Esalen.
“I've found purpose in helping to create the safe space that held me so carefully here — for every person who comes down that hill. The fact that this born and raised Staten Island, New Yorker, found, visited, and now gets to live and work at Esalen is a miracle that I'm grateful for every single day.”
“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
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