This year’s Benefit Weekend will feature performances by a variety of artists including award-winning vocalist Geeta Novotny (http://www.geetanovotny.com). Geeta, which means song of life in Hindi, is a musician and classical singer who has performed at Carnegie Hall and The Metropolitan Opera House. Today she maintains a voice studio in Los Angeles and offers a unique Vocal Immersion Sound Bath experience that promotes healing and wellness.
“My methodology is based on my philosophy that the voice is one of our greatest sources of healing inside and out,” observed Geeta, who will be assisting a workshop with Ira Israel at Esalen in April. “When we communicate, our voices can heal ourselves through self-expression. I believe they also carry a unique vibrational energy that when conveyed a certain way can transform us.” Geeta has invented a practice whereby she harnesses the power of her singing voice with quartz bowls to promote wellness. Within this experience, she credits the symphony of sounds as having healing properties that can reduce stress and address chronic illness. “We can feel it,” she added, “Emotions have vibrational energy. By bringing balance we can focus more on our lives and our purpose.”
Last September, Geeta was first introduced to Esalen through Ira’s workshop where she performed a sound bath for seminarians with her voice and crystal singing bowls. “I had heard about Esalen, and it seemed like a magical place. I felt pulled there,” she said. “On Saturday evening we conducted an impromptu concert in the Lodge. The whole dining room became so quiet. Everybody was listening to the sound bath. I felt so honored. It was a very transcendent experience.”
As a child, Geeta suffered from chronic asthma and struggled with breathing. She also recalls being quite shy and having trouble expressing herself. “Singing saved my life,” said Geeta. “It taught me how to breathe correctly, center myself, and communicate my passions. I eventually healed myself through this practice and turned my pain into my purpose. I also had an amazing mother who wouldn’t allow me to be limited.” Today Geeta is a mother herself and credits her own daughter on starting her on the path of healing through song. “Singing to my daughter, I realized how much it affected her. There’s something so powerful about singing.”
This year’s Benefit Weekend will be held October 14-16, 2016 and will feature mini-workshops, performances by artists like Geeta, and a special ribbon-cutting ceremony marking the completion of the Lodge restoration. Visit http://http://www.esalen.org/2016BenefitWeekend for updates.
“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?
This year’s Benefit Weekend will feature performances by a variety of artists including award-winning vocalist Geeta Novotny (http://www.geetanovotny.com). Geeta, which means song of life in Hindi, is a musician and classical singer who has performed at Carnegie Hall and The Metropolitan Opera House. Today she maintains a voice studio in Los Angeles and offers a unique Vocal Immersion Sound Bath experience that promotes healing and wellness.
“My methodology is based on my philosophy that the voice is one of our greatest sources of healing inside and out,” observed Geeta, who will be assisting a workshop with Ira Israel at Esalen in April. “When we communicate, our voices can heal ourselves through self-expression. I believe they also carry a unique vibrational energy that when conveyed a certain way can transform us.” Geeta has invented a practice whereby she harnesses the power of her singing voice with quartz bowls to promote wellness. Within this experience, she credits the symphony of sounds as having healing properties that can reduce stress and address chronic illness. “We can feel it,” she added, “Emotions have vibrational energy. By bringing balance we can focus more on our lives and our purpose.”
Last September, Geeta was first introduced to Esalen through Ira’s workshop where she performed a sound bath for seminarians with her voice and crystal singing bowls. “I had heard about Esalen, and it seemed like a magical place. I felt pulled there,” she said. “On Saturday evening we conducted an impromptu concert in the Lodge. The whole dining room became so quiet. Everybody was listening to the sound bath. I felt so honored. It was a very transcendent experience.”
As a child, Geeta suffered from chronic asthma and struggled with breathing. She also recalls being quite shy and having trouble expressing herself. “Singing saved my life,” said Geeta. “It taught me how to breathe correctly, center myself, and communicate my passions. I eventually healed myself through this practice and turned my pain into my purpose. I also had an amazing mother who wouldn’t allow me to be limited.” Today Geeta is a mother herself and credits her own daughter on starting her on the path of healing through song. “Singing to my daughter, I realized how much it affected her. There’s something so powerful about singing.”
This year’s Benefit Weekend will be held October 14-16, 2016 and will feature mini-workshops, performances by artists like Geeta, and a special ribbon-cutting ceremony marking the completion of the Lodge restoration. Visit http://http://www.esalen.org/2016BenefitWeekend for updates.
“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?
This year’s Benefit Weekend will feature performances by a variety of artists including award-winning vocalist Geeta Novotny (http://www.geetanovotny.com). Geeta, which means song of life in Hindi, is a musician and classical singer who has performed at Carnegie Hall and The Metropolitan Opera House. Today she maintains a voice studio in Los Angeles and offers a unique Vocal Immersion Sound Bath experience that promotes healing and wellness.
“My methodology is based on my philosophy that the voice is one of our greatest sources of healing inside and out,” observed Geeta, who will be assisting a workshop with Ira Israel at Esalen in April. “When we communicate, our voices can heal ourselves through self-expression. I believe they also carry a unique vibrational energy that when conveyed a certain way can transform us.” Geeta has invented a practice whereby she harnesses the power of her singing voice with quartz bowls to promote wellness. Within this experience, she credits the symphony of sounds as having healing properties that can reduce stress and address chronic illness. “We can feel it,” she added, “Emotions have vibrational energy. By bringing balance we can focus more on our lives and our purpose.”
Last September, Geeta was first introduced to Esalen through Ira’s workshop where she performed a sound bath for seminarians with her voice and crystal singing bowls. “I had heard about Esalen, and it seemed like a magical place. I felt pulled there,” she said. “On Saturday evening we conducted an impromptu concert in the Lodge. The whole dining room became so quiet. Everybody was listening to the sound bath. I felt so honored. It was a very transcendent experience.”
As a child, Geeta suffered from chronic asthma and struggled with breathing. She also recalls being quite shy and having trouble expressing herself. “Singing saved my life,” said Geeta. “It taught me how to breathe correctly, center myself, and communicate my passions. I eventually healed myself through this practice and turned my pain into my purpose. I also had an amazing mother who wouldn’t allow me to be limited.” Today Geeta is a mother herself and credits her own daughter on starting her on the path of healing through song. “Singing to my daughter, I realized how much it affected her. There’s something so powerful about singing.”
This year’s Benefit Weekend will be held October 14-16, 2016 and will feature mini-workshops, performances by artists like Geeta, and a special ribbon-cutting ceremony marking the completion of the Lodge restoration. Visit http://http://www.esalen.org/2016BenefitWeekend for updates.
“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