From its earliest days, Esalen served as a Western gateway for Eastern philosophies and practices through the teachings of such visiting scholars as Alan Watts and Chungliang Al Huang as well as Esalen’s own co-founder Michael Murphy and former president, the late George Leonard.
More than half a century later, the flow of ideas is shifting again as Western holistic centers — including Esalen — connect with an emerging movement in China that seeks new ways to integrate wellness into everyday life.
“In one generation, China has transitioned from communism to embrace capitalism,” observes Esalen General Manager and CEO Terry Gilbey. “They found materialism but are still looking for happiness, purpose and fulfillment. What we took from Eastern wisdom practices and integrated into practical tools China is now looking to reconnect with for their own wellness.”
In November, Terry represented Esalen at the first international holistic wellness conference in Beijing hosted by Bene Wellness Institute. The conference attracted 750 attendees and also featured board members of the Holistic Centers Network.
The connection between Big Sur and Beijing was forged last spring when Bene Wellness founder Tony Liu and Terry met at the annual meeting of the Holistic Centers Network hosted at Omega Institute. During that conference, Terry shared with attendees a philosophy of decision-making and leadership in a consensus-driven organization. Terry would later share a portion of that talk as part of his keynote address at the Beijing conference.
Tony, who launched his first company at age 16 and retired in his early 30s, founded Bene Wellness as part of his own personal journey to discover greater meaning and purpose. “Bene Wellness Institute sees itself as a member of the worldwide holistic centers network with a clear intention to be a part of, and contribute to, the human awakening movement towards holistic living and holistic community,” adds Executive Director of the Holistic Centers Network Christine Lines. “Their mission is to find a balance between the popular culture in modern-day China and the spiritual values and practices, as well as to act as a leader to fulfill the above mission.”
As China navigates its own cultural crossroads, the opportunity to begin to foster conversations across borders and ideologies is becoming clear. During his visit, Terry observed there is a growing awareness and interest particularly in Esalen’s lineage informed by Abraham Maslow, Fritz Perls, Ida Rolf and others.
“Esalen has an opportunity to share what we’ve learned over the last 50-plus years and give others the benefit of our collective wisdom much in the way that Eastern practices enriched our own wellbeing,” says Terry. “We have the opportunity to positively impact people on an order of magnitude much greater than in the U.S.”
“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?
From its earliest days, Esalen served as a Western gateway for Eastern philosophies and practices through the teachings of such visiting scholars as Alan Watts and Chungliang Al Huang as well as Esalen’s own co-founder Michael Murphy and former president, the late George Leonard.
More than half a century later, the flow of ideas is shifting again as Western holistic centers — including Esalen — connect with an emerging movement in China that seeks new ways to integrate wellness into everyday life.
“In one generation, China has transitioned from communism to embrace capitalism,” observes Esalen General Manager and CEO Terry Gilbey. “They found materialism but are still looking for happiness, purpose and fulfillment. What we took from Eastern wisdom practices and integrated into practical tools China is now looking to reconnect with for their own wellness.”
In November, Terry represented Esalen at the first international holistic wellness conference in Beijing hosted by Bene Wellness Institute. The conference attracted 750 attendees and also featured board members of the Holistic Centers Network.
The connection between Big Sur and Beijing was forged last spring when Bene Wellness founder Tony Liu and Terry met at the annual meeting of the Holistic Centers Network hosted at Omega Institute. During that conference, Terry shared with attendees a philosophy of decision-making and leadership in a consensus-driven organization. Terry would later share a portion of that talk as part of his keynote address at the Beijing conference.
Tony, who launched his first company at age 16 and retired in his early 30s, founded Bene Wellness as part of his own personal journey to discover greater meaning and purpose. “Bene Wellness Institute sees itself as a member of the worldwide holistic centers network with a clear intention to be a part of, and contribute to, the human awakening movement towards holistic living and holistic community,” adds Executive Director of the Holistic Centers Network Christine Lines. “Their mission is to find a balance between the popular culture in modern-day China and the spiritual values and practices, as well as to act as a leader to fulfill the above mission.”
As China navigates its own cultural crossroads, the opportunity to begin to foster conversations across borders and ideologies is becoming clear. During his visit, Terry observed there is a growing awareness and interest particularly in Esalen’s lineage informed by Abraham Maslow, Fritz Perls, Ida Rolf and others.
“Esalen has an opportunity to share what we’ve learned over the last 50-plus years and give others the benefit of our collective wisdom much in the way that Eastern practices enriched our own wellbeing,” says Terry. “We have the opportunity to positively impact people on an order of magnitude much greater than in the U.S.”
“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?
From its earliest days, Esalen served as a Western gateway for Eastern philosophies and practices through the teachings of such visiting scholars as Alan Watts and Chungliang Al Huang as well as Esalen’s own co-founder Michael Murphy and former president, the late George Leonard.
More than half a century later, the flow of ideas is shifting again as Western holistic centers — including Esalen — connect with an emerging movement in China that seeks new ways to integrate wellness into everyday life.
“In one generation, China has transitioned from communism to embrace capitalism,” observes Esalen General Manager and CEO Terry Gilbey. “They found materialism but are still looking for happiness, purpose and fulfillment. What we took from Eastern wisdom practices and integrated into practical tools China is now looking to reconnect with for their own wellness.”
In November, Terry represented Esalen at the first international holistic wellness conference in Beijing hosted by Bene Wellness Institute. The conference attracted 750 attendees and also featured board members of the Holistic Centers Network.
The connection between Big Sur and Beijing was forged last spring when Bene Wellness founder Tony Liu and Terry met at the annual meeting of the Holistic Centers Network hosted at Omega Institute. During that conference, Terry shared with attendees a philosophy of decision-making and leadership in a consensus-driven organization. Terry would later share a portion of that talk as part of his keynote address at the Beijing conference.
Tony, who launched his first company at age 16 and retired in his early 30s, founded Bene Wellness as part of his own personal journey to discover greater meaning and purpose. “Bene Wellness Institute sees itself as a member of the worldwide holistic centers network with a clear intention to be a part of, and contribute to, the human awakening movement towards holistic living and holistic community,” adds Executive Director of the Holistic Centers Network Christine Lines. “Their mission is to find a balance between the popular culture in modern-day China and the spiritual values and practices, as well as to act as a leader to fulfill the above mission.”
As China navigates its own cultural crossroads, the opportunity to begin to foster conversations across borders and ideologies is becoming clear. During his visit, Terry observed there is a growing awareness and interest particularly in Esalen’s lineage informed by Abraham Maslow, Fritz Perls, Ida Rolf and others.
“Esalen has an opportunity to share what we’ve learned over the last 50-plus years and give others the benefit of our collective wisdom much in the way that Eastern practices enriched our own wellbeing,” says Terry. “We have the opportunity to positively impact people on an order of magnitude much greater than in the U.S.”
“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