At the twilight of a year marked by cultural and political divisions, one of the great scholars of world religions Professor Huston Smith passed. He was 97. Author of The World’s Religions, which is widely credited for expanding society’s awareness and appreciation for various faith traditions, much of Professor Smith’s life work was dedicated to exploring faiths of different origins. He taught at Esalen for a number of years, most recently in 2010.
"Huston Smith graced our Esalen programs, as he did the entire field of Religious Studies, for these last fifty years, bringing us all closer to the world's religions and showing us how they complement each other,” remarked Esalen co-founder Michael Murphy. “No Esalen leader has been more consistently gracious, charming, and fun-loving. He is widely loved and will be long-remembered as a teacher for the global village."
Professor Smith’s global origins began in China as a child of missionaries. Ultimately his path would cross with such visionaries as Aldous Huxley, Joseph Campbell, His Holiness the 14th Dali Lama, Martin Luther King, Jr., and Swami Satprakashananda.
In 1996, he was featured in the PBS/Bill Moyers series on world religions.
“His early work, very much in the spirit of Aldous Huxley’s ideas about the ‘one religion’ (one ocean, many shores), was a part of Esalen’s early leadership in bringing Eastern and indigenous religious traditions into Western awareness,” observed Esalen President Gordon Wheeler. “The spiritual consciousness of the world evolves and deepens through this kind of cross-sect contact, which has always been at the heart of Esalen’s methodology and mission.”
Later in life Professor Smith would comment on the aging process. In 2009, Esalen Prize honoree and noted author and gerontologist Ken Dychtwald interviewed him on the topic of the Arc of Life. When asked whether he wished to be young again, he replied: “No, categorically, no. That was right then, but it took a lot of energy, and I am glad to say, ‘That was fine then, but I’ve done that, and there’s no wish to repeat it.’ ” Later in the discussion, Professor Smith references Albert Einstein’s belief that matter cannot be annihilated. As a result, in respect to death, Professor Smith shared we may go into other mode, “…but the light’s never going to go off.”
“Every now and then, in the course of human history, an individual emerges who changes the course of everything. There is no question that Huston Smith was such a man,” said Ken. “He had an unbridled enthusiasm for life. Regardless of what knocked him down or stalled his gears, he always found a way to jubilantly pick himself up and continue advancing toward the people and projects he loved. He also had a singular and dignified presence – with no pretense. With his quick wit, feisty nature, endless curiosity and boyish smile, he sparked the best in everyone he encountered.”
Professor Smith taught at the University of Denver, Washington University, and was professor and chair of the philosophy department at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He retired as the Thomas J. Watson Professor of Religion and Distinguished Adjunct Professor of Philosophy at Syracuse University in 1983.
“We will miss Huston's warmth, his wit, and above all his fierce determination and steadfast spiritual compass through life’s difficulties, undeterred by the challenges of old age or tragic personal losses. We are warmed by his memory, and challenged to live up to his legacy,” added Gordon.
Watch Ken Dychtwald’s conversation with Huston Smith on the topic of the Arc of Life.
Learn more about Huston Smith’s life.
“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?
At the twilight of a year marked by cultural and political divisions, one of the great scholars of world religions Professor Huston Smith passed. He was 97. Author of The World’s Religions, which is widely credited for expanding society’s awareness and appreciation for various faith traditions, much of Professor Smith’s life work was dedicated to exploring faiths of different origins. He taught at Esalen for a number of years, most recently in 2010.
"Huston Smith graced our Esalen programs, as he did the entire field of Religious Studies, for these last fifty years, bringing us all closer to the world's religions and showing us how they complement each other,” remarked Esalen co-founder Michael Murphy. “No Esalen leader has been more consistently gracious, charming, and fun-loving. He is widely loved and will be long-remembered as a teacher for the global village."
Professor Smith’s global origins began in China as a child of missionaries. Ultimately his path would cross with such visionaries as Aldous Huxley, Joseph Campbell, His Holiness the 14th Dali Lama, Martin Luther King, Jr., and Swami Satprakashananda.
In 1996, he was featured in the PBS/Bill Moyers series on world religions.
“His early work, very much in the spirit of Aldous Huxley’s ideas about the ‘one religion’ (one ocean, many shores), was a part of Esalen’s early leadership in bringing Eastern and indigenous religious traditions into Western awareness,” observed Esalen President Gordon Wheeler. “The spiritual consciousness of the world evolves and deepens through this kind of cross-sect contact, which has always been at the heart of Esalen’s methodology and mission.”
Later in life Professor Smith would comment on the aging process. In 2009, Esalen Prize honoree and noted author and gerontologist Ken Dychtwald interviewed him on the topic of the Arc of Life. When asked whether he wished to be young again, he replied: “No, categorically, no. That was right then, but it took a lot of energy, and I am glad to say, ‘That was fine then, but I’ve done that, and there’s no wish to repeat it.’ ” Later in the discussion, Professor Smith references Albert Einstein’s belief that matter cannot be annihilated. As a result, in respect to death, Professor Smith shared we may go into other mode, “…but the light’s never going to go off.”
“Every now and then, in the course of human history, an individual emerges who changes the course of everything. There is no question that Huston Smith was such a man,” said Ken. “He had an unbridled enthusiasm for life. Regardless of what knocked him down or stalled his gears, he always found a way to jubilantly pick himself up and continue advancing toward the people and projects he loved. He also had a singular and dignified presence – with no pretense. With his quick wit, feisty nature, endless curiosity and boyish smile, he sparked the best in everyone he encountered.”
Professor Smith taught at the University of Denver, Washington University, and was professor and chair of the philosophy department at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He retired as the Thomas J. Watson Professor of Religion and Distinguished Adjunct Professor of Philosophy at Syracuse University in 1983.
“We will miss Huston's warmth, his wit, and above all his fierce determination and steadfast spiritual compass through life’s difficulties, undeterred by the challenges of old age or tragic personal losses. We are warmed by his memory, and challenged to live up to his legacy,” added Gordon.
Watch Ken Dychtwald’s conversation with Huston Smith on the topic of the Arc of Life.
Learn more about Huston Smith’s life.
“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?
At the twilight of a year marked by cultural and political divisions, one of the great scholars of world religions Professor Huston Smith passed. He was 97. Author of The World’s Religions, which is widely credited for expanding society’s awareness and appreciation for various faith traditions, much of Professor Smith’s life work was dedicated to exploring faiths of different origins. He taught at Esalen for a number of years, most recently in 2010.
"Huston Smith graced our Esalen programs, as he did the entire field of Religious Studies, for these last fifty years, bringing us all closer to the world's religions and showing us how they complement each other,” remarked Esalen co-founder Michael Murphy. “No Esalen leader has been more consistently gracious, charming, and fun-loving. He is widely loved and will be long-remembered as a teacher for the global village."
Professor Smith’s global origins began in China as a child of missionaries. Ultimately his path would cross with such visionaries as Aldous Huxley, Joseph Campbell, His Holiness the 14th Dali Lama, Martin Luther King, Jr., and Swami Satprakashananda.
In 1996, he was featured in the PBS/Bill Moyers series on world religions.
“His early work, very much in the spirit of Aldous Huxley’s ideas about the ‘one religion’ (one ocean, many shores), was a part of Esalen’s early leadership in bringing Eastern and indigenous religious traditions into Western awareness,” observed Esalen President Gordon Wheeler. “The spiritual consciousness of the world evolves and deepens through this kind of cross-sect contact, which has always been at the heart of Esalen’s methodology and mission.”
Later in life Professor Smith would comment on the aging process. In 2009, Esalen Prize honoree and noted author and gerontologist Ken Dychtwald interviewed him on the topic of the Arc of Life. When asked whether he wished to be young again, he replied: “No, categorically, no. That was right then, but it took a lot of energy, and I am glad to say, ‘That was fine then, but I’ve done that, and there’s no wish to repeat it.’ ” Later in the discussion, Professor Smith references Albert Einstein’s belief that matter cannot be annihilated. As a result, in respect to death, Professor Smith shared we may go into other mode, “…but the light’s never going to go off.”
“Every now and then, in the course of human history, an individual emerges who changes the course of everything. There is no question that Huston Smith was such a man,” said Ken. “He had an unbridled enthusiasm for life. Regardless of what knocked him down or stalled his gears, he always found a way to jubilantly pick himself up and continue advancing toward the people and projects he loved. He also had a singular and dignified presence – with no pretense. With his quick wit, feisty nature, endless curiosity and boyish smile, he sparked the best in everyone he encountered.”
Professor Smith taught at the University of Denver, Washington University, and was professor and chair of the philosophy department at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He retired as the Thomas J. Watson Professor of Religion and Distinguished Adjunct Professor of Philosophy at Syracuse University in 1983.
“We will miss Huston's warmth, his wit, and above all his fierce determination and steadfast spiritual compass through life’s difficulties, undeterred by the challenges of old age or tragic personal losses. We are warmed by his memory, and challenged to live up to his legacy,” added Gordon.
Watch Ken Dychtwald’s conversation with Huston Smith on the topic of the Arc of Life.
Learn more about Huston Smith’s life.
“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?
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