Whether you’re forest bathing or taking a plunge into an ocean wave, more and more health professionals are recognizing the importance of nature to our sense of wellbeing. When Dr. Wallace J. Nichols began work on his groundbreaking book Blue Mind over a decade ago, the tie between wellness and the environment was just beginning to emerge. The marine biologist and avid traveler knew intuitively that being in, under, and around water created a positive impact on our emotional, physical and spiritual wellbeing; his curiosity to learn more set him on a 10-year journey to document the science behind it.
J. will continue his work at Esalen as part of the ninth annual Blue Mind Summit to be held June 28-30. He will be joined by mindfulness expert and author of the upcoming book Good Morning, I Love You: Mindfulness and Self Compassion Practices to Rewire Your Brain for Calm, Clarity and Joy Dr. Shauna Shapiro and neuropsychiatrist and author of Aware: The Science and Practice of Presence Dr. Daniel Siegel.
Teaching together for the first time, these three thought leaders will combine contemplative practice with science of Blue Mind — the meditative state of mind that is the antidote to the “red mind” of an overly anxious and highly connected modern world — to create the experience of Blue Mindfulness for workshop participants.
“I can’t imagine a better location in the world to combine the benefits of water and mindfulness than Esalen,” says J. who has led a multidisciplinary social movement of educators, scientists, psychologists, activists and artists in Blue Mind Summits worldwide. “We will explore the intersection of Dan, Shauna and my work and how nature can serve as medicine for our emotional health.”
The workshop will feature practical discussions on the practices of Blue Mindfulness as well as opportunities for participants to experience first-hand the healing impact of water at Esalen, which is the focal point of three sources: fresh, salt water, and mineral. What’s more, as research points to not only the benefits of proximity to water but to the reaction of awe, joy, and empathy it can create, new strategies are being made for environmental conservation. This year’s Blue Summit leaders hope to issue a position paper at the conclusion of the event to highlight the critical need to connect mindfulness work to the environment.
“My hope is that this summit will be a way for us to help protect the environment,” observes Shauna. “We need to understand how we are all connected.”
“One of the causes of human suffering, of planetary suffering, is our sense of disconnection,” adds Daniel. “We are hungry for something we can’t name. This will be a life-transforming weekend, bringing us back to the true nature of our origin and perhaps provide a pathway to healing for self and planet.” Shauna and Dan have previously led workshops at Esalen on the power of awe, wonder, empathy, mindfulness, and meditation to strengthen resilience, compassion and wisdom.
Join us for this unique experience to explore Blue Mindfulness while becoming an active co-creator of Blue Mind Summit’s evolving role in caring for our blue planet.
“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?
Whether you’re forest bathing or taking a plunge into an ocean wave, more and more health professionals are recognizing the importance of nature to our sense of wellbeing. When Dr. Wallace J. Nichols began work on his groundbreaking book Blue Mind over a decade ago, the tie between wellness and the environment was just beginning to emerge. The marine biologist and avid traveler knew intuitively that being in, under, and around water created a positive impact on our emotional, physical and spiritual wellbeing; his curiosity to learn more set him on a 10-year journey to document the science behind it.
J. will continue his work at Esalen as part of the ninth annual Blue Mind Summit to be held June 28-30. He will be joined by mindfulness expert and author of the upcoming book Good Morning, I Love You: Mindfulness and Self Compassion Practices to Rewire Your Brain for Calm, Clarity and Joy Dr. Shauna Shapiro and neuropsychiatrist and author of Aware: The Science and Practice of Presence Dr. Daniel Siegel.
Teaching together for the first time, these three thought leaders will combine contemplative practice with science of Blue Mind — the meditative state of mind that is the antidote to the “red mind” of an overly anxious and highly connected modern world — to create the experience of Blue Mindfulness for workshop participants.
“I can’t imagine a better location in the world to combine the benefits of water and mindfulness than Esalen,” says J. who has led a multidisciplinary social movement of educators, scientists, psychologists, activists and artists in Blue Mind Summits worldwide. “We will explore the intersection of Dan, Shauna and my work and how nature can serve as medicine for our emotional health.”
The workshop will feature practical discussions on the practices of Blue Mindfulness as well as opportunities for participants to experience first-hand the healing impact of water at Esalen, which is the focal point of three sources: fresh, salt water, and mineral. What’s more, as research points to not only the benefits of proximity to water but to the reaction of awe, joy, and empathy it can create, new strategies are being made for environmental conservation. This year’s Blue Summit leaders hope to issue a position paper at the conclusion of the event to highlight the critical need to connect mindfulness work to the environment.
“My hope is that this summit will be a way for us to help protect the environment,” observes Shauna. “We need to understand how we are all connected.”
“One of the causes of human suffering, of planetary suffering, is our sense of disconnection,” adds Daniel. “We are hungry for something we can’t name. This will be a life-transforming weekend, bringing us back to the true nature of our origin and perhaps provide a pathway to healing for self and planet.” Shauna and Dan have previously led workshops at Esalen on the power of awe, wonder, empathy, mindfulness, and meditation to strengthen resilience, compassion and wisdom.
Join us for this unique experience to explore Blue Mindfulness while becoming an active co-creator of Blue Mind Summit’s evolving role in caring for our blue planet.
“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?
Whether you’re forest bathing or taking a plunge into an ocean wave, more and more health professionals are recognizing the importance of nature to our sense of wellbeing. When Dr. Wallace J. Nichols began work on his groundbreaking book Blue Mind over a decade ago, the tie between wellness and the environment was just beginning to emerge. The marine biologist and avid traveler knew intuitively that being in, under, and around water created a positive impact on our emotional, physical and spiritual wellbeing; his curiosity to learn more set him on a 10-year journey to document the science behind it.
J. will continue his work at Esalen as part of the ninth annual Blue Mind Summit to be held June 28-30. He will be joined by mindfulness expert and author of the upcoming book Good Morning, I Love You: Mindfulness and Self Compassion Practices to Rewire Your Brain for Calm, Clarity and Joy Dr. Shauna Shapiro and neuropsychiatrist and author of Aware: The Science and Practice of Presence Dr. Daniel Siegel.
Teaching together for the first time, these three thought leaders will combine contemplative practice with science of Blue Mind — the meditative state of mind that is the antidote to the “red mind” of an overly anxious and highly connected modern world — to create the experience of Blue Mindfulness for workshop participants.
“I can’t imagine a better location in the world to combine the benefits of water and mindfulness than Esalen,” says J. who has led a multidisciplinary social movement of educators, scientists, psychologists, activists and artists in Blue Mind Summits worldwide. “We will explore the intersection of Dan, Shauna and my work and how nature can serve as medicine for our emotional health.”
The workshop will feature practical discussions on the practices of Blue Mindfulness as well as opportunities for participants to experience first-hand the healing impact of water at Esalen, which is the focal point of three sources: fresh, salt water, and mineral. What’s more, as research points to not only the benefits of proximity to water but to the reaction of awe, joy, and empathy it can create, new strategies are being made for environmental conservation. This year’s Blue Summit leaders hope to issue a position paper at the conclusion of the event to highlight the critical need to connect mindfulness work to the environment.
“My hope is that this summit will be a way for us to help protect the environment,” observes Shauna. “We need to understand how we are all connected.”
“One of the causes of human suffering, of planetary suffering, is our sense of disconnection,” adds Daniel. “We are hungry for something we can’t name. This will be a life-transforming weekend, bringing us back to the true nature of our origin and perhaps provide a pathway to healing for self and planet.” Shauna and Dan have previously led workshops at Esalen on the power of awe, wonder, empathy, mindfulness, and meditation to strengthen resilience, compassion and wisdom.
Join us for this unique experience to explore Blue Mindfulness while becoming an active co-creator of Blue Mind Summit’s evolving role in caring for our blue planet.
“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