Proust Questionnaire

Even with over 25 years of experience in health and wellness, Deva Munay still gets butterflies before taking new students on sound journeys: “The first days of workshops are so powerful to me … I learn from the participants and grow just as much as they do.” Munay, the founder of Sacred Sound & Wonder, shares her thoughts on staying strong, acceptance, and how playing hundreds of alchemy crystal singing bowls helped her understand “the complexity of frequency and how we can use sound for healing.”

As a lifelong student of natural history, co-founder of Wildtender Fletcher Tucker lists some heroes (both human and “other-than-human”), shares his love for this sacred land that is Esalen, and speaks with perfect poetic clarity on the healing power of nature: “It really is as simple as walking into the wild, which is patiently waiting for our return.”

Perry and Johanna Holloman, intimate partners and friends for over three decades, open up about their current state of being and what it’s like to teach at "the most beautiful retreat center on earth."

Acupuncturist Jiling Lin and yoga therapist Paula Wild, teachers of The Five Elements of Yoga & Chinese Medicine workshop coming this fall, reveal a desire to speak the language of music, to be resiliently playful, to re-embody mountains, come back as a blue whale, and more.

Xochitl Ashe speaks of bringing people back to their power, her work with ceremony and plants, and the dangers of distorted humility: “The world needs us all to share our gifts,” she explains.

Inspired by 20th-century French writer Marcel Proust, we here at Esalen have created our own version of his favorite parlor game to dig just a little deeper — and differently — into our incredible faculty and staff. Learn about Elissa Epel, the bestselling co-author of "The Telomere Effect", and which Esalen workshop she calls “one of the best times of my life.”

Roller skating massage therapist and “vibe curator” Nick Ayers talks poolside parties, the musical massage table he invented, and his superhero alter ego, Silky Slim. Amen to being “vulnerably witnessed in one’s authenticity” to bring us closer to our humanity!”

Certified nature therapy guide, mindfulness teacher, and Emmy-nominated filmmaker Sylvie Rokab speaks “four and a quarter” languages, dreams of life as a very pampered housecat, and calls the natural world her “greatest love.”

Birth doula, herbalist, and facilitator of transformational retreats Micha Merrick speaks lovingly about Esalen, harvesting flowers, and her rituals and practices — "There's a lot of pleasure surrounding me as I work" — but it's her "creative flower-child parents" and all the traditional healers who have shared with her their wisdom who make Micha truly grateful.

The author of the New York Times bestseller Thought Revolution spent a decade researching and developing a brain-enhancing methodology that tapped into his right brain, which he now refers to as his “better half.” This revolutionized his life, and for nearly three decades, he’s traveled the world sharing this creativity block hack.

Sadia Bruce tells us about living enthusiastically, cultural fluidity, internalized belonging, and maintaining her practice: “What we need today will differ from what we’ll need tomorrow.” An expert in breath-based movement, Sadia shares an integrative, vitalizing understanding of embodied movement to challenge her students and also herself: “I heal and grow even as I offer experiences for others to do the same.”

Internationally respected psychotherapist, executive coach, and Enneagram JEDI (justice, equality, diversity, inclusion) Dr. Deborah Egerton — "Dr. E," as she’s known on campus — tells us about her faith, greatest achievements, and her Spiritual board of directors: “They lead, but the backup chorus of angels is quite remarkable.”

Licensed clinical psychologist and mind-body medicine researcher Cassandra Vieten explains her love of languages, shares a couple of wise mottos, and lists a few of her inspirations — including Princess Leia and other women who "tell it like it is and then do something about it."

Holistic therapist, ceremonial leader, and teacher Carlos Sauer shares his worries for the rainforest, the joys he receives from interacting with the spirit world, and his current wish: “that we can all learn from Native peoples how to be kind to one another.”

Medicine woman and vice chair for the Esselen Tribe of Monterey County Cari Herthel reflects on the gift of storytelling and her path of recovery. Fueled by ancestral wisdom and life experiences, Cari explains how grief is a teacher and shares her greatest happiness and the power of daily acknowledgment ("a simple thank you, an act of gratitude”).

John Vosler says he wants to “share everything he has to share” — and he proves that by opening up about his values, his inspirations, and the miraculous happiness he gets seeing his students grow and heal. The multi-lineage Yoga Nidra educator and energetic bodyworker talks about listening to his nervous system, his desire for a bird’s perspective, and the idea of living at Esalen for a full month: “I’m in!”

Award-winning author (A Master Plan for Rescue, Mary; Mrs. A Lincoln, The Russian Word for Snow) and long-time Buddhist practitioner Janis Cooke Newman reveals the mutually reinforcing powers of writing and mindfulness. She tells us about building community, pearls of wisdom she's gained from fellow writers Sharon Salzburg and Ruth Ozeki, and even one perfect motto from His Holiness, the Dalai Lama.

Traditional African cosmologist, independent scholar, and multimedia artist Marques Redd tells us about the film that emerged from his spiritual practice and the African healer who wrote his “touchstone” book. With a sense of expansive appreciation, Marques shares a few of his heroes, both historical and literary, and reveals a powerful lesson for persevering through difficult times by “remembering my divine identity and who I truly am.”

Novelist Vikram Chandra opens up about his happiness, achievements, loves, and challenges. The award-winning author pinpoints every writer’s greatest fear and tells us how choosing the right tools and embracing patience help make art. A true creative spirit, Vikram blesses the musicians — while accepting his own lack of musicality — and explains why giving just one of his readers a single moment of joy is “enough for me.”

Esalen’s Director of Healing Arts, Douglas Drummond opens up about connecting with his indigenous roots, the life wisdom he finds in his family motto, and why he’d like to come back in his next life as a humpback whale.

Shamini Jain, PhD, is the Founder and CEO of the Consciousness and Healing Initiative (CHI), Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at UC San Diego, and one of our esteemed faculty. Her work blends clinical psychology, psychoneuroimmunology, vocal performance, and East Indian spiritual practices. Here, she eloquently shares with Esalen what inspires her in both work and life.

The Proust Esalenaire is inspired by a list of thoughts and feelings-inspired questions by the 20th century French writer Marcel Proust. Here at Esalen we have created our own version to dig a little deeper and differently into our incredible faculty and staff, starting with Sianna Sherman and Masood Ali Khan.