One of the unique offerings at Esalen, for learners of all ages, has been the opportunity to extend the typical week-long or weekend workshop experience and engage in a more immersive month-long study experience. Previously known as Work Study, the Residential Study program was paused during Esalen’s temporary closure last year and recently re-emerged with a new focus on creating stronger connections, offering more study hours, and developing deeper awareness of Esalen practices.
“We want to challenge students to gain greater awareness of themselves and their experience so that they recognize and step into their innate human potential,” says Dr. Kimberly Gilbey, a former residential education student with a background in cultural anthropology who has volunteered her time to help reimagine the new program. “People have tasted what Esalen has to offer and want the opportunity to experience Esalen more deeply – stay longer, study more intensely with a teacher, experience community, and benefit from time on the land.”
Next month’s residential study program will feature artist and facilitator Adam Wolpert on Collaborative Leadership, Ecological Consciousness and Creative Self-Expression. Limited space is still available for Adam’s cohort.
New aspects of the residential study program include a smaller, single cohort of 16 students. Each cohort begins with a one-day orientation in which students are introduced to the history and teachings of Esalen, given a comprehensive tour of the property and shown points of historical interest, and engage in initial awareness practices. To further support the cohesion and interconnections, all students are now housed on property in shared dorm-style living space.
“After three years of constant working, worrying and expanding my business, I was run down and tired to the bone,” says recent residential study student Jörg Chabowski. “Twenty-eight days at Esalen changed my life. The program, people, and beauty of this magical place eased the way for joy and life force to flow back into my life. I can't imagine a better place to return home to myself.”
As part of the residential experience, students are asked to commit to 26 hours of weekly service in an Esalen department such as the kitchen or lodging. This represents more than a 25% reduction in required service hours from the previous program to reflect feedback that students wanted more time to engage in study. Service hours are meant to give individuals the opportunity to apply and practice what they are learning with fellow students as well as Esalen staff and community members. At the same time, the cohort now has a total of 38 hours dedicated to workshop hours and group process time to help create more spaciousness in the program.
“The residential study program was so amazing that I applied immediately for another 28 days,” adds Jörg, who returned to Esalen a few months later. Enrollment is by application only.
Upcoming offerings include:
Collaborative Leadership, Ecological Consciousness and Creative Self-Expression with Adam Wolpert
April 8 - May 6, 2018
Skillful collaboration is facilitated by an open mind and heart, keen powers of observation of self and others, compassionate communication, a whole-systems view, and willingness to witness and experience transformation. This program, led by artist and facilitator Adam Wolpert, will promote these qualities while enhancing leadership skills, self-awareness, and capacity to contribute to positive change at any scale.
Bhagavad-Gita and Hamlet: Wisdom, Literature, and Leadership with Brad Lewis
June 3 - July 1, 2018
This program is led by New York University cultural studies professor and practicing psychiatrist Brad Lewis and is devoted to an appreciative and critical study of the Bhagavad-Gita. One of the most popular and widely studied of the Hindu scriptures, the Gita has become an invaluable resource for developing cross-cultural principles of management, leadership, and positive psychology.
Leadership and Presence with Suzanne Scurlock Durana
July 1 - July 29, 2018
The more present we are in ourselves, the more present we can be with someone else. Presence is the hidden key to successful leadership. This seemingly elusive skill is learnable, and this program led by Suzanne Scurlock-Durana contains the steps, through experiential work that is designed to help you pay attention to the subtle cues you receive from your body and the surrounding environment all the time. This will then give you access to your own, highly valuable inner landscape – the wisdom of your body-mind-spirit, which significantly enhances your ability to be more fully present as a leader.
Apply for the Residential Study Program.
“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?
One of the unique offerings at Esalen, for learners of all ages, has been the opportunity to extend the typical week-long or weekend workshop experience and engage in a more immersive month-long study experience. Previously known as Work Study, the Residential Study program was paused during Esalen’s temporary closure last year and recently re-emerged with a new focus on creating stronger connections, offering more study hours, and developing deeper awareness of Esalen practices.
“We want to challenge students to gain greater awareness of themselves and their experience so that they recognize and step into their innate human potential,” says Dr. Kimberly Gilbey, a former residential education student with a background in cultural anthropology who has volunteered her time to help reimagine the new program. “People have tasted what Esalen has to offer and want the opportunity to experience Esalen more deeply – stay longer, study more intensely with a teacher, experience community, and benefit from time on the land.”
Next month’s residential study program will feature artist and facilitator Adam Wolpert on Collaborative Leadership, Ecological Consciousness and Creative Self-Expression. Limited space is still available for Adam’s cohort.
New aspects of the residential study program include a smaller, single cohort of 16 students. Each cohort begins with a one-day orientation in which students are introduced to the history and teachings of Esalen, given a comprehensive tour of the property and shown points of historical interest, and engage in initial awareness practices. To further support the cohesion and interconnections, all students are now housed on property in shared dorm-style living space.
“After three years of constant working, worrying and expanding my business, I was run down and tired to the bone,” says recent residential study student Jörg Chabowski. “Twenty-eight days at Esalen changed my life. The program, people, and beauty of this magical place eased the way for joy and life force to flow back into my life. I can't imagine a better place to return home to myself.”
As part of the residential experience, students are asked to commit to 26 hours of weekly service in an Esalen department such as the kitchen or lodging. This represents more than a 25% reduction in required service hours from the previous program to reflect feedback that students wanted more time to engage in study. Service hours are meant to give individuals the opportunity to apply and practice what they are learning with fellow students as well as Esalen staff and community members. At the same time, the cohort now has a total of 38 hours dedicated to workshop hours and group process time to help create more spaciousness in the program.
“The residential study program was so amazing that I applied immediately for another 28 days,” adds Jörg, who returned to Esalen a few months later. Enrollment is by application only.
Upcoming offerings include:
Collaborative Leadership, Ecological Consciousness and Creative Self-Expression with Adam Wolpert
April 8 - May 6, 2018
Skillful collaboration is facilitated by an open mind and heart, keen powers of observation of self and others, compassionate communication, a whole-systems view, and willingness to witness and experience transformation. This program, led by artist and facilitator Adam Wolpert, will promote these qualities while enhancing leadership skills, self-awareness, and capacity to contribute to positive change at any scale.
Bhagavad-Gita and Hamlet: Wisdom, Literature, and Leadership with Brad Lewis
June 3 - July 1, 2018
This program is led by New York University cultural studies professor and practicing psychiatrist Brad Lewis and is devoted to an appreciative and critical study of the Bhagavad-Gita. One of the most popular and widely studied of the Hindu scriptures, the Gita has become an invaluable resource for developing cross-cultural principles of management, leadership, and positive psychology.
Leadership and Presence with Suzanne Scurlock Durana
July 1 - July 29, 2018
The more present we are in ourselves, the more present we can be with someone else. Presence is the hidden key to successful leadership. This seemingly elusive skill is learnable, and this program led by Suzanne Scurlock-Durana contains the steps, through experiential work that is designed to help you pay attention to the subtle cues you receive from your body and the surrounding environment all the time. This will then give you access to your own, highly valuable inner landscape – the wisdom of your body-mind-spirit, which significantly enhances your ability to be more fully present as a leader.
Apply for the Residential Study Program.
“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?
One of the unique offerings at Esalen, for learners of all ages, has been the opportunity to extend the typical week-long or weekend workshop experience and engage in a more immersive month-long study experience. Previously known as Work Study, the Residential Study program was paused during Esalen’s temporary closure last year and recently re-emerged with a new focus on creating stronger connections, offering more study hours, and developing deeper awareness of Esalen practices.
“We want to challenge students to gain greater awareness of themselves and their experience so that they recognize and step into their innate human potential,” says Dr. Kimberly Gilbey, a former residential education student with a background in cultural anthropology who has volunteered her time to help reimagine the new program. “People have tasted what Esalen has to offer and want the opportunity to experience Esalen more deeply – stay longer, study more intensely with a teacher, experience community, and benefit from time on the land.”
Next month’s residential study program will feature artist and facilitator Adam Wolpert on Collaborative Leadership, Ecological Consciousness and Creative Self-Expression. Limited space is still available for Adam’s cohort.
New aspects of the residential study program include a smaller, single cohort of 16 students. Each cohort begins with a one-day orientation in which students are introduced to the history and teachings of Esalen, given a comprehensive tour of the property and shown points of historical interest, and engage in initial awareness practices. To further support the cohesion and interconnections, all students are now housed on property in shared dorm-style living space.
“After three years of constant working, worrying and expanding my business, I was run down and tired to the bone,” says recent residential study student Jörg Chabowski. “Twenty-eight days at Esalen changed my life. The program, people, and beauty of this magical place eased the way for joy and life force to flow back into my life. I can't imagine a better place to return home to myself.”
As part of the residential experience, students are asked to commit to 26 hours of weekly service in an Esalen department such as the kitchen or lodging. This represents more than a 25% reduction in required service hours from the previous program to reflect feedback that students wanted more time to engage in study. Service hours are meant to give individuals the opportunity to apply and practice what they are learning with fellow students as well as Esalen staff and community members. At the same time, the cohort now has a total of 38 hours dedicated to workshop hours and group process time to help create more spaciousness in the program.
“The residential study program was so amazing that I applied immediately for another 28 days,” adds Jörg, who returned to Esalen a few months later. Enrollment is by application only.
Upcoming offerings include:
Collaborative Leadership, Ecological Consciousness and Creative Self-Expression with Adam Wolpert
April 8 - May 6, 2018
Skillful collaboration is facilitated by an open mind and heart, keen powers of observation of self and others, compassionate communication, a whole-systems view, and willingness to witness and experience transformation. This program, led by artist and facilitator Adam Wolpert, will promote these qualities while enhancing leadership skills, self-awareness, and capacity to contribute to positive change at any scale.
Bhagavad-Gita and Hamlet: Wisdom, Literature, and Leadership with Brad Lewis
June 3 - July 1, 2018
This program is led by New York University cultural studies professor and practicing psychiatrist Brad Lewis and is devoted to an appreciative and critical study of the Bhagavad-Gita. One of the most popular and widely studied of the Hindu scriptures, the Gita has become an invaluable resource for developing cross-cultural principles of management, leadership, and positive psychology.
Leadership and Presence with Suzanne Scurlock Durana
July 1 - July 29, 2018
The more present we are in ourselves, the more present we can be with someone else. Presence is the hidden key to successful leadership. This seemingly elusive skill is learnable, and this program led by Suzanne Scurlock-Durana contains the steps, through experiential work that is designed to help you pay attention to the subtle cues you receive from your body and the surrounding environment all the time. This will then give you access to your own, highly valuable inner landscape – the wisdom of your body-mind-spirit, which significantly enhances your ability to be more fully present as a leader.
Apply for the Residential Study Program.
“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