"When times darken, that’s when the beacon light of Esalen and our sister centers and networks must shine even brighter, sending out creativity and energy and hope into the world."
In this season of troubling darkness and inspiring light, we lean into our gratefulness practice, remembering the blessings and joys of friends like you as you offer gifts of resources and support for Esalen and for all our great work together. Most precious of all is your companionship on the journey, as we walk together the paths of transformation in this challenging age.
We know that the bright light of love and transformation is all around us, even as our world may seem to grow darker. For the first time in human history science offers us the tools to solve nearly all the material problems and suffering of the world; and yet we we don’t make full use of those new resources and knowledge. Thus the problem is in ourselves, in our own fears and blocks, and those of the people we call “enemies.” Again and again we place those fears and projections between heart and heart, and spirit and spirit in our relations, our politics, ourselves. From that basis the suffering of the world can only worsen.
Esalen exists to shine a light on shadow areas like these. When we take down a barrier between person and person, one community or discipline and another, sect and sect or even nation and nation, then other barriers often fall as well. The result is a great release of new creativity into our world, cutting through old blocks and transforming individuals and whole societies. This is the human potential in action, always creative, always subversive of artificial boundaries, always working around and through and over blocks to that release of new energy, new ideas, new love.
When times darken, that’s when the beacon light of Esalen and our sister centers and networks must shine even brighter, sending out creativity and energy and hope into the world. Now, more than ever, our world needs Esalen. Now, more than ever, Esalen needs you, our widest Esalen family, standing and walking with us as we continue to take down walls, delivering transformation – and as we continue strengthening Esalen to endure and contribute even more in the very challenging times ahead.
Thank you for joining us in this great work. It takes all of us, together: none of us can get there alone. Stay connected with us as the new year unfolds; and from that connection we draw the spirit to send deep wishes for hope and joy for you and yours in the year ahead, and the years to come.
With blessings and love,
Gordon Wheeler
President, Esalen Institute
“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?
"When times darken, that’s when the beacon light of Esalen and our sister centers and networks must shine even brighter, sending out creativity and energy and hope into the world."
In this season of troubling darkness and inspiring light, we lean into our gratefulness practice, remembering the blessings and joys of friends like you as you offer gifts of resources and support for Esalen and for all our great work together. Most precious of all is your companionship on the journey, as we walk together the paths of transformation in this challenging age.
We know that the bright light of love and transformation is all around us, even as our world may seem to grow darker. For the first time in human history science offers us the tools to solve nearly all the material problems and suffering of the world; and yet we we don’t make full use of those new resources and knowledge. Thus the problem is in ourselves, in our own fears and blocks, and those of the people we call “enemies.” Again and again we place those fears and projections between heart and heart, and spirit and spirit in our relations, our politics, ourselves. From that basis the suffering of the world can only worsen.
Esalen exists to shine a light on shadow areas like these. When we take down a barrier between person and person, one community or discipline and another, sect and sect or even nation and nation, then other barriers often fall as well. The result is a great release of new creativity into our world, cutting through old blocks and transforming individuals and whole societies. This is the human potential in action, always creative, always subversive of artificial boundaries, always working around and through and over blocks to that release of new energy, new ideas, new love.
When times darken, that’s when the beacon light of Esalen and our sister centers and networks must shine even brighter, sending out creativity and energy and hope into the world. Now, more than ever, our world needs Esalen. Now, more than ever, Esalen needs you, our widest Esalen family, standing and walking with us as we continue to take down walls, delivering transformation – and as we continue strengthening Esalen to endure and contribute even more in the very challenging times ahead.
Thank you for joining us in this great work. It takes all of us, together: none of us can get there alone. Stay connected with us as the new year unfolds; and from that connection we draw the spirit to send deep wishes for hope and joy for you and yours in the year ahead, and the years to come.
With blessings and love,
Gordon Wheeler
President, Esalen Institute
“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?
"When times darken, that’s when the beacon light of Esalen and our sister centers and networks must shine even brighter, sending out creativity and energy and hope into the world."
In this season of troubling darkness and inspiring light, we lean into our gratefulness practice, remembering the blessings and joys of friends like you as you offer gifts of resources and support for Esalen and for all our great work together. Most precious of all is your companionship on the journey, as we walk together the paths of transformation in this challenging age.
We know that the bright light of love and transformation is all around us, even as our world may seem to grow darker. For the first time in human history science offers us the tools to solve nearly all the material problems and suffering of the world; and yet we we don’t make full use of those new resources and knowledge. Thus the problem is in ourselves, in our own fears and blocks, and those of the people we call “enemies.” Again and again we place those fears and projections between heart and heart, and spirit and spirit in our relations, our politics, ourselves. From that basis the suffering of the world can only worsen.
Esalen exists to shine a light on shadow areas like these. When we take down a barrier between person and person, one community or discipline and another, sect and sect or even nation and nation, then other barriers often fall as well. The result is a great release of new creativity into our world, cutting through old blocks and transforming individuals and whole societies. This is the human potential in action, always creative, always subversive of artificial boundaries, always working around and through and over blocks to that release of new energy, new ideas, new love.
When times darken, that’s when the beacon light of Esalen and our sister centers and networks must shine even brighter, sending out creativity and energy and hope into the world. Now, more than ever, our world needs Esalen. Now, more than ever, Esalen needs you, our widest Esalen family, standing and walking with us as we continue to take down walls, delivering transformation – and as we continue strengthening Esalen to endure and contribute even more in the very challenging times ahead.
Thank you for joining us in this great work. It takes all of us, together: none of us can get there alone. Stay connected with us as the new year unfolds; and from that connection we draw the spirit to send deep wishes for hope and joy for you and yours in the year ahead, and the years to come.
With blessings and love,
Gordon Wheeler
President, Esalen Institute
“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