Esalen faculty Paul Selig says he plays second fiddle in his courses, and he’s not just being humble. Paul is a channel; he receives teachings directly from sources he calls the Guides, and so far the Guides have a lot to say. Through Paul, they’ve produced six books of teachings, and Paul says that at least 100 pages of the two most recent books came through during Esalen courses. “Esalen has really become ground zero for the work that I do,” says Paul.
Beyond being a fruitful and inspiring launching place for the Guides’ work, Esalen is an important part of Paul’s deeper story. He’s recently returned to Big Sur to teach in the first cohort of month-long students returning since Esalen reopened in late July.
In 2009, Paul was a full-time academic still reckoning with what it meant to be a channel. When he received an invitation to present at Esalen’s Center for Theory & Research (CTR), he’d only ever channeled for very small groups in his apartment. CTR would be the first time he’d present publicly.
“I came to the CTR conference and channeled before a group of people that included physicists, academics, and scientists. It was the beginning of a very new life for me. I owe Esalen for the fact that anybody has heard of my work beyond my living room. Becoming part of the community at Esalen was profound and life changing, and I know that’s true for many, many people. It’s catalytic in every possible way.”
Given this history, it’s fitting that Paul is one of the first faculty leaders to support the return of the residential study program. Since mid-November, he has been leading students in discovering how realizing one’s own true potential is inexorably linked to the well-being of others. In addition to more hours now dedicated to learning, the month curriculum continues to pair students with Esalen work departments to provide a service learning curriculum component. Upcoming study themes will include Growing Sea Legs in Samsara: Mindfulness in Challenging Times, Bhagavad-Gita: Wisdom, Literature, and Leadership, and Lean Permaculture: Towards a Pattern Language of Sustainable Design.
“I think there’s a sense of new potential at Esalen right now,” says Paul of his experience so far. “There’s an awareness of change, and that the Institute itself is in transformation. Everything is beginning to bloom in a new way.”
Channeling and the experience of Paul’s courses can be difficult to describe; he likens the process to radio waves. “We’re all radios, but we’re only playing the bandwidth that we have been taught that we are allowed, and what the Guides are doing through attunement is supporting the individual and the collective in being able to play the higher octaves — to attune their consciousness at a higher level. Essentially, the Guides are teaching the evolution of consciousness. The purpose of this work is a re-identification of the self beyond the small self or personality structure to an alignment with one’s inherent true nature.”
To learn more about Paul’s work, he is offering a free, interactive webinar on Wednesday, January 3. Paul will return to Esalen to teach I Am The Word: The Energetics of Consciousness in April.
“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 faculty Paul Selig says he plays second fiddle in his courses, and he’s not just being humble. Paul is a channel; he receives teachings directly from sources he calls the Guides, and so far the Guides have a lot to say. Through Paul, they’ve produced six books of teachings, and Paul says that at least 100 pages of the two most recent books came through during Esalen courses. “Esalen has really become ground zero for the work that I do,” says Paul.
Beyond being a fruitful and inspiring launching place for the Guides’ work, Esalen is an important part of Paul’s deeper story. He’s recently returned to Big Sur to teach in the first cohort of month-long students returning since Esalen reopened in late July.
In 2009, Paul was a full-time academic still reckoning with what it meant to be a channel. When he received an invitation to present at Esalen’s Center for Theory & Research (CTR), he’d only ever channeled for very small groups in his apartment. CTR would be the first time he’d present publicly.
“I came to the CTR conference and channeled before a group of people that included physicists, academics, and scientists. It was the beginning of a very new life for me. I owe Esalen for the fact that anybody has heard of my work beyond my living room. Becoming part of the community at Esalen was profound and life changing, and I know that’s true for many, many people. It’s catalytic in every possible way.”
Given this history, it’s fitting that Paul is one of the first faculty leaders to support the return of the residential study program. Since mid-November, he has been leading students in discovering how realizing one’s own true potential is inexorably linked to the well-being of others. In addition to more hours now dedicated to learning, the month curriculum continues to pair students with Esalen work departments to provide a service learning curriculum component. Upcoming study themes will include Growing Sea Legs in Samsara: Mindfulness in Challenging Times, Bhagavad-Gita: Wisdom, Literature, and Leadership, and Lean Permaculture: Towards a Pattern Language of Sustainable Design.
“I think there’s a sense of new potential at Esalen right now,” says Paul of his experience so far. “There’s an awareness of change, and that the Institute itself is in transformation. Everything is beginning to bloom in a new way.”
Channeling and the experience of Paul’s courses can be difficult to describe; he likens the process to radio waves. “We’re all radios, but we’re only playing the bandwidth that we have been taught that we are allowed, and what the Guides are doing through attunement is supporting the individual and the collective in being able to play the higher octaves — to attune their consciousness at a higher level. Essentially, the Guides are teaching the evolution of consciousness. The purpose of this work is a re-identification of the self beyond the small self or personality structure to an alignment with one’s inherent true nature.”
To learn more about Paul’s work, he is offering a free, interactive webinar on Wednesday, January 3. Paul will return to Esalen to teach I Am The Word: The Energetics of Consciousness in April.
“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 faculty Paul Selig says he plays second fiddle in his courses, and he’s not just being humble. Paul is a channel; he receives teachings directly from sources he calls the Guides, and so far the Guides have a lot to say. Through Paul, they’ve produced six books of teachings, and Paul says that at least 100 pages of the two most recent books came through during Esalen courses. “Esalen has really become ground zero for the work that I do,” says Paul.
Beyond being a fruitful and inspiring launching place for the Guides’ work, Esalen is an important part of Paul’s deeper story. He’s recently returned to Big Sur to teach in the first cohort of month-long students returning since Esalen reopened in late July.
In 2009, Paul was a full-time academic still reckoning with what it meant to be a channel. When he received an invitation to present at Esalen’s Center for Theory & Research (CTR), he’d only ever channeled for very small groups in his apartment. CTR would be the first time he’d present publicly.
“I came to the CTR conference and channeled before a group of people that included physicists, academics, and scientists. It was the beginning of a very new life for me. I owe Esalen for the fact that anybody has heard of my work beyond my living room. Becoming part of the community at Esalen was profound and life changing, and I know that’s true for many, many people. It’s catalytic in every possible way.”
Given this history, it’s fitting that Paul is one of the first faculty leaders to support the return of the residential study program. Since mid-November, he has been leading students in discovering how realizing one’s own true potential is inexorably linked to the well-being of others. In addition to more hours now dedicated to learning, the month curriculum continues to pair students with Esalen work departments to provide a service learning curriculum component. Upcoming study themes will include Growing Sea Legs in Samsara: Mindfulness in Challenging Times, Bhagavad-Gita: Wisdom, Literature, and Leadership, and Lean Permaculture: Towards a Pattern Language of Sustainable Design.
“I think there’s a sense of new potential at Esalen right now,” says Paul of his experience so far. “There’s an awareness of change, and that the Institute itself is in transformation. Everything is beginning to bloom in a new way.”
Channeling and the experience of Paul’s courses can be difficult to describe; he likens the process to radio waves. “We’re all radios, but we’re only playing the bandwidth that we have been taught that we are allowed, and what the Guides are doing through attunement is supporting the individual and the collective in being able to play the higher octaves — to attune their consciousness at a higher level. Essentially, the Guides are teaching the evolution of consciousness. The purpose of this work is a re-identification of the self beyond the small self or personality structure to an alignment with one’s inherent true nature.”
To learn more about Paul’s work, he is offering a free, interactive webinar on Wednesday, January 3. Paul will return to Esalen to teach I Am The Word: The Energetics of Consciousness in April.
“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