What happens when we give ourselves the gift of unstructured time? Inspiration, healing and peace of mind have room to blossom when we unwind everyday stress and let ourselves truly relax into inner stillness. Out of that spaciousness come daydreams, new ideas and clarity about what’s true now and what lies ahead.
Here at Esalen, we think this kind of replenishment is vital in order to dive into deeper realms of your innate potential, and then go out and live your purpose more fully in the world. That’s why we offer A Time to Reflect, special weekend and five-day stays throughout the year during which you truly can choose your own Esalen adventure.
During A Time to Reflect, you’re not taking a structured workshop. Instead, you’re tapping into as many (or as few!) of our unique daily programs as you like and immersing yourself in Esalen’s culture of inner transformation.
You could start your day by joining Esalen’s Farm & Garden stewards for a morning mindfulness practice, and then attuning to the rhythms of the land as you harvest lettuce, chard, sage or tomatoes. Afterwards, bring a cup of tea out to the deck and contemplate the ever-changing Pacific Ocean. Maybe that puts you in the mood for a soak in the hot springs or a walk across campus to the meditation hut.
Ready to express your creativity? Let your imagination lead the way to the Art Barn, where clay, paint, charcoal and a wild assortment of other materials await. You may join an intuitive drawing class led by an Esalen staff member or sit down next to someone who inspires you to express yourself in an entirely new medium.
As the day goes on, keep your eye on our Experiential Program, an ongoing menu of classes offered by resident and visiting teachers in a kaleidoscopic array of modalities, including sensory awareness, chakra meditation, Soul Motion and community singing. Every choice becomes an opportunity to follow your intuition deeper into your full potential.
In the Lodge, connect with fellow sojourners over a delicious farm-to-table supper (hey, did you harvest that lettuce this morning?) and share the wonder of being here, right now, at the spectacular edge of the continent. Before bed, you might attend a Wednesday Evening program led by a visiting filmmaker, playwright, physicist or even Esalen’s co-founder. Or, simply walk out to the Esalen lawn for some of the best stargazing you can imagine. A Time to Reflect is a journey just for you. We can’t wait to see where it leads.
See upcoming dates for A Time to Reflect.
“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?
What happens when we give ourselves the gift of unstructured time? Inspiration, healing and peace of mind have room to blossom when we unwind everyday stress and let ourselves truly relax into inner stillness. Out of that spaciousness come daydreams, new ideas and clarity about what’s true now and what lies ahead.
Here at Esalen, we think this kind of replenishment is vital in order to dive into deeper realms of your innate potential, and then go out and live your purpose more fully in the world. That’s why we offer A Time to Reflect, special weekend and five-day stays throughout the year during which you truly can choose your own Esalen adventure.
During A Time to Reflect, you’re not taking a structured workshop. Instead, you’re tapping into as many (or as few!) of our unique daily programs as you like and immersing yourself in Esalen’s culture of inner transformation.
You could start your day by joining Esalen’s Farm & Garden stewards for a morning mindfulness practice, and then attuning to the rhythms of the land as you harvest lettuce, chard, sage or tomatoes. Afterwards, bring a cup of tea out to the deck and contemplate the ever-changing Pacific Ocean. Maybe that puts you in the mood for a soak in the hot springs or a walk across campus to the meditation hut.
Ready to express your creativity? Let your imagination lead the way to the Art Barn, where clay, paint, charcoal and a wild assortment of other materials await. You may join an intuitive drawing class led by an Esalen staff member or sit down next to someone who inspires you to express yourself in an entirely new medium.
As the day goes on, keep your eye on our Experiential Program, an ongoing menu of classes offered by resident and visiting teachers in a kaleidoscopic array of modalities, including sensory awareness, chakra meditation, Soul Motion and community singing. Every choice becomes an opportunity to follow your intuition deeper into your full potential.
In the Lodge, connect with fellow sojourners over a delicious farm-to-table supper (hey, did you harvest that lettuce this morning?) and share the wonder of being here, right now, at the spectacular edge of the continent. Before bed, you might attend a Wednesday Evening program led by a visiting filmmaker, playwright, physicist or even Esalen’s co-founder. Or, simply walk out to the Esalen lawn for some of the best stargazing you can imagine. A Time to Reflect is a journey just for you. We can’t wait to see where it leads.
See upcoming dates for A Time to Reflect.
“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?
What happens when we give ourselves the gift of unstructured time? Inspiration, healing and peace of mind have room to blossom when we unwind everyday stress and let ourselves truly relax into inner stillness. Out of that spaciousness come daydreams, new ideas and clarity about what’s true now and what lies ahead.
Here at Esalen, we think this kind of replenishment is vital in order to dive into deeper realms of your innate potential, and then go out and live your purpose more fully in the world. That’s why we offer A Time to Reflect, special weekend and five-day stays throughout the year during which you truly can choose your own Esalen adventure.
During A Time to Reflect, you’re not taking a structured workshop. Instead, you’re tapping into as many (or as few!) of our unique daily programs as you like and immersing yourself in Esalen’s culture of inner transformation.
You could start your day by joining Esalen’s Farm & Garden stewards for a morning mindfulness practice, and then attuning to the rhythms of the land as you harvest lettuce, chard, sage or tomatoes. Afterwards, bring a cup of tea out to the deck and contemplate the ever-changing Pacific Ocean. Maybe that puts you in the mood for a soak in the hot springs or a walk across campus to the meditation hut.
Ready to express your creativity? Let your imagination lead the way to the Art Barn, where clay, paint, charcoal and a wild assortment of other materials await. You may join an intuitive drawing class led by an Esalen staff member or sit down next to someone who inspires you to express yourself in an entirely new medium.
As the day goes on, keep your eye on our Experiential Program, an ongoing menu of classes offered by resident and visiting teachers in a kaleidoscopic array of modalities, including sensory awareness, chakra meditation, Soul Motion and community singing. Every choice becomes an opportunity to follow your intuition deeper into your full potential.
In the Lodge, connect with fellow sojourners over a delicious farm-to-table supper (hey, did you harvest that lettuce this morning?) and share the wonder of being here, right now, at the spectacular edge of the continent. Before bed, you might attend a Wednesday Evening program led by a visiting filmmaker, playwright, physicist or even Esalen’s co-founder. Or, simply walk out to the Esalen lawn for some of the best stargazing you can imagine. A Time to Reflect is a journey just for you. We can’t wait to see where it leads.
See upcoming dates for A Time to Reflect.
“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