“I was first introduced to the concept of human potential in a psychology course in college,” recalls Ken Dychtwald who, along with his wife Maddy, has become a national thought leader in transforming the aging population. “I heard Abe Maslow and Alan Watts were teaching at Esalen, so I quit school and came to Esalen.” Thus began an Esalen journey that has spanned more than four decades.
Ken arrived at Esalen in 1970 and stayed until 1974, years that predate Esalen’s current Work Scholar program. During this time, Ken would write his first book, Bodymind, and ultimately credits Esalen as the place where he “…dreamed up 10 books while in the baths, looking up at the stars.” Ken would return to Esalen to lead workshops on the body and mind in addition to his work as a psychologist, gerontologist, and best-selling author. Maddy Dychtwald is a nationally recognized author and leading expert on the changing demographic trends shaping society today. She and Ken co-founded the company Age Wave in 1986 to pioneer the exploration of the impact of the longevity revolution.
The Esalen Prize honors individuals whose leadership and innovative thinking have moved their chosen field or discipline in new and positive directions, and whose vision and values have made a lasting difference at Esalen and in society at large. The first recipient of the prize was Brother David Steindl-Rast in 2013.
The Dychtwalds will be recognized for their innovations in promoting a purposeful role during life’s second half. Through their 18 books, acclaimed speeches, pioneering research, documentary films, and unrelenting public activism, the Dychtwalds’ thought leadership has led to enduring changes in the fields of gerontology, medicine, psychology, gender equality, social service, economics, media, and technology.
“Esalen has always been a big part of our lives,” adds Maddy. “It’s not just its breathtaking beauty, but the values and possibilities that Esalen courageously puts out into the world. We are humbled and feel deep gratitude for this recognition.” The Dychtwalds will be awarded with the Esalen Prize during the Institute’s Benefit Weekend Oct. 14-16, 2016.
“Esalen is not a noun, or a place,” says Ken. “It is an adverb – a way of doing what we do.” Now Ken and Maddy see part of their work as giving back to Esalen. Their contributions include providing the funding necessary to launch the Integral Leadership Program which focuses on the next generation at Esalen.
“Esalen feels like my alma mater,” reflects Ken. “It’s my spiritual home.”
“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?
“I was first introduced to the concept of human potential in a psychology course in college,” recalls Ken Dychtwald who, along with his wife Maddy, has become a national thought leader in transforming the aging population. “I heard Abe Maslow and Alan Watts were teaching at Esalen, so I quit school and came to Esalen.” Thus began an Esalen journey that has spanned more than four decades.
Ken arrived at Esalen in 1970 and stayed until 1974, years that predate Esalen’s current Work Scholar program. During this time, Ken would write his first book, Bodymind, and ultimately credits Esalen as the place where he “…dreamed up 10 books while in the baths, looking up at the stars.” Ken would return to Esalen to lead workshops on the body and mind in addition to his work as a psychologist, gerontologist, and best-selling author. Maddy Dychtwald is a nationally recognized author and leading expert on the changing demographic trends shaping society today. She and Ken co-founded the company Age Wave in 1986 to pioneer the exploration of the impact of the longevity revolution.
The Esalen Prize honors individuals whose leadership and innovative thinking have moved their chosen field or discipline in new and positive directions, and whose vision and values have made a lasting difference at Esalen and in society at large. The first recipient of the prize was Brother David Steindl-Rast in 2013.
The Dychtwalds will be recognized for their innovations in promoting a purposeful role during life’s second half. Through their 18 books, acclaimed speeches, pioneering research, documentary films, and unrelenting public activism, the Dychtwalds’ thought leadership has led to enduring changes in the fields of gerontology, medicine, psychology, gender equality, social service, economics, media, and technology.
“Esalen has always been a big part of our lives,” adds Maddy. “It’s not just its breathtaking beauty, but the values and possibilities that Esalen courageously puts out into the world. We are humbled and feel deep gratitude for this recognition.” The Dychtwalds will be awarded with the Esalen Prize during the Institute’s Benefit Weekend Oct. 14-16, 2016.
“Esalen is not a noun, or a place,” says Ken. “It is an adverb – a way of doing what we do.” Now Ken and Maddy see part of their work as giving back to Esalen. Their contributions include providing the funding necessary to launch the Integral Leadership Program which focuses on the next generation at Esalen.
“Esalen feels like my alma mater,” reflects Ken. “It’s my spiritual home.”
“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?
“I was first introduced to the concept of human potential in a psychology course in college,” recalls Ken Dychtwald who, along with his wife Maddy, has become a national thought leader in transforming the aging population. “I heard Abe Maslow and Alan Watts were teaching at Esalen, so I quit school and came to Esalen.” Thus began an Esalen journey that has spanned more than four decades.
Ken arrived at Esalen in 1970 and stayed until 1974, years that predate Esalen’s current Work Scholar program. During this time, Ken would write his first book, Bodymind, and ultimately credits Esalen as the place where he “…dreamed up 10 books while in the baths, looking up at the stars.” Ken would return to Esalen to lead workshops on the body and mind in addition to his work as a psychologist, gerontologist, and best-selling author. Maddy Dychtwald is a nationally recognized author and leading expert on the changing demographic trends shaping society today. She and Ken co-founded the company Age Wave in 1986 to pioneer the exploration of the impact of the longevity revolution.
The Esalen Prize honors individuals whose leadership and innovative thinking have moved their chosen field or discipline in new and positive directions, and whose vision and values have made a lasting difference at Esalen and in society at large. The first recipient of the prize was Brother David Steindl-Rast in 2013.
The Dychtwalds will be recognized for their innovations in promoting a purposeful role during life’s second half. Through their 18 books, acclaimed speeches, pioneering research, documentary films, and unrelenting public activism, the Dychtwalds’ thought leadership has led to enduring changes in the fields of gerontology, medicine, psychology, gender equality, social service, economics, media, and technology.
“Esalen has always been a big part of our lives,” adds Maddy. “It’s not just its breathtaking beauty, but the values and possibilities that Esalen courageously puts out into the world. We are humbled and feel deep gratitude for this recognition.” The Dychtwalds will be awarded with the Esalen Prize during the Institute’s Benefit Weekend Oct. 14-16, 2016.
“Esalen is not a noun, or a place,” says Ken. “It is an adverb – a way of doing what we do.” Now Ken and Maddy see part of their work as giving back to Esalen. Their contributions include providing the funding necessary to launch the Integral Leadership Program which focuses on the next generation at Esalen.
“Esalen feels like my alma mater,” reflects Ken. “It’s my spiritual home.”
“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