“I knew that being at Esalen would provide me the space to heal, learn, grow, and get my spark back. Being in community with others all working towards personal healing and growth is exactly the environment I needed,” Sam Nichilo shares.
Before coming to Esalen, Sam was living that all-too-familiar life that leads to corporate burnout — running the rat race and surviving within the concrete jungle that is New York City. She worked for a major media conglomerate and streaming service where “a lot of responsibilities, working long hours, and not feeling in alignment with my work caused my body to be in a constant state of stress and anxiety.”
“I was just desperately trying to figure out my next move,” she says. A conversation with her best friend, Jess Siller, who had already made her own life-changing journey out of Gotham City and into the great wide open of Big Sur, was the push she needed to look for answers elsewhere.
“I was always on the search to develop new healthy habits and to find my next passion in life. In a world saturated with self-help books and Instagram accounts, now I no longer had to look for healing. It came to me. Since being here, I have taken classes in meditation, movement, and body work. I have attended lectures and presentations by leaders in mediumship, plant medicine, and various forms of psychology. I have attended sound baths, cacao and tobacco ceremonies, and listening circles. I have received energy and bodywork. I have looked in the eyes of strangers and have shared the deepest parts of me. There aren't many places that hold you in that way and I am grateful to have landed here.”
For Sam, who now works as a program education associate, the great shift is finally being able to slow down, be present, and get to know herself.
“I am more present, compassionate, and honest with myself and the people around me. I no longer feel the pressure to look for what's next. I trust life will present it to me when I am ready. I paint and create art, something I didn't even think I was capable of before moving here. My reading list has become unmanageable. Mostly, I am full of love and gratitude for this life and the people I choose to share it with.”
“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 knew that being at Esalen would provide me the space to heal, learn, grow, and get my spark back. Being in community with others all working towards personal healing and growth is exactly the environment I needed,” Sam Nichilo shares.
Before coming to Esalen, Sam was living that all-too-familiar life that leads to corporate burnout — running the rat race and surviving within the concrete jungle that is New York City. She worked for a major media conglomerate and streaming service where “a lot of responsibilities, working long hours, and not feeling in alignment with my work caused my body to be in a constant state of stress and anxiety.”
“I was just desperately trying to figure out my next move,” she says. A conversation with her best friend, Jess Siller, who had already made her own life-changing journey out of Gotham City and into the great wide open of Big Sur, was the push she needed to look for answers elsewhere.
“I was always on the search to develop new healthy habits and to find my next passion in life. In a world saturated with self-help books and Instagram accounts, now I no longer had to look for healing. It came to me. Since being here, I have taken classes in meditation, movement, and body work. I have attended lectures and presentations by leaders in mediumship, plant medicine, and various forms of psychology. I have attended sound baths, cacao and tobacco ceremonies, and listening circles. I have received energy and bodywork. I have looked in the eyes of strangers and have shared the deepest parts of me. There aren't many places that hold you in that way and I am grateful to have landed here.”
For Sam, who now works as a program education associate, the great shift is finally being able to slow down, be present, and get to know herself.
“I am more present, compassionate, and honest with myself and the people around me. I no longer feel the pressure to look for what's next. I trust life will present it to me when I am ready. I paint and create art, something I didn't even think I was capable of before moving here. My reading list has become unmanageable. Mostly, I am full of love and gratitude for this life and the people I choose to share it with.”
“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 knew that being at Esalen would provide me the space to heal, learn, grow, and get my spark back. Being in community with others all working towards personal healing and growth is exactly the environment I needed,” Sam Nichilo shares.
Before coming to Esalen, Sam was living that all-too-familiar life that leads to corporate burnout — running the rat race and surviving within the concrete jungle that is New York City. She worked for a major media conglomerate and streaming service where “a lot of responsibilities, working long hours, and not feeling in alignment with my work caused my body to be in a constant state of stress and anxiety.”
“I was just desperately trying to figure out my next move,” she says. A conversation with her best friend, Jess Siller, who had already made her own life-changing journey out of Gotham City and into the great wide open of Big Sur, was the push she needed to look for answers elsewhere.
“I was always on the search to develop new healthy habits and to find my next passion in life. In a world saturated with self-help books and Instagram accounts, now I no longer had to look for healing. It came to me. Since being here, I have taken classes in meditation, movement, and body work. I have attended lectures and presentations by leaders in mediumship, plant medicine, and various forms of psychology. I have attended sound baths, cacao and tobacco ceremonies, and listening circles. I have received energy and bodywork. I have looked in the eyes of strangers and have shared the deepest parts of me. There aren't many places that hold you in that way and I am grateful to have landed here.”
For Sam, who now works as a program education associate, the great shift is finally being able to slow down, be present, and get to know herself.
“I am more present, compassionate, and honest with myself and the people around me. I no longer feel the pressure to look for what's next. I trust life will present it to me when I am ready. I paint and create art, something I didn't even think I was capable of before moving here. My reading list has become unmanageable. Mostly, I am full of love and gratitude for this life and the people I choose to share it with.”
“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
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