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The Luminous Darkness: Imagination, Possibility, and Conscious Intentions for 2023
January 22–27, 2023
January 22–27, 2023
Deborah Eden Tull

Please note: On Wednesday September 20, online registration may be unavailable for up to 15 minutes while system maintenance is performed. If the 'Register Now' page does not load, please wait about 15 minutes and try again.

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Need a scholarship? Apply here.

Need a scholarship? Apply here.

All light arises from darkness, including insight, creativity, vision, and possibility. The luminous darkness is the presence and receptivity through which we also access light. It is the field of all potential that we sometimes forget in the context of ordinary life and habit. In this deeply restorative retreat, in the first month of a new year, we will commune with the luminous darkness to listen deeply, renew possibility, and set conscious intentions for our lives and world in the year ahead.

In this workshop, we will reflect on and harvest lessons from the past year and release limiting beliefs. This regenerative process is about remembering who we really are — and stepping into  possibility on behalf of our collective.

We will deepen our embodiment of compassion and clear seeing  through:

  • Meditation and Dharma talks.
  • Conscious movement and dance.
  • Embodied practices for invoking the realm of dreaming and conscious imagination and for embracing shadow and the unknown.
  • Reflective writing.
  • Relational mindfulness.
  • Deep time in nature.

This workshop, inspired by Eden’s book Luminous Darkness, draws upon the wisdom streams of Buddhist meditation and mindfulness, non-duality, deep ecology, and The Work That Reconnects.

Recommended reading: Luminous Darkness: An Engaged Buddhist Approach to Embracing the Unknown, by Deborah Eden Tull

Learn more about the requirements to receive continuing education credit.

Lead photo:
Deborah Eden Tull

Deborah Eden Tull

Deborah Eden Tull, founder of Mindful Living Revolution, is a Zen meditation and mindfulness teacher, author, activist and sustainability educator. She bridges personal awakening with collective transformation. Her latest book is Luminous Darkness: An Engaged Buddhist Approach to Embracing the Unknown.

Read More

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Workshop Schedule

Sunday
8:30 pm – 10:00 pm
Monday
9:45 am – 12:45 pm
4:15 pm – 6:15 pm
Tuesday
9:45 am – 12:45 pm
4:15 pm – 6:15 pm
Wednesday
9:45 am – 12:45 pm
4:15 pm – 6:15 pm
Thursday
9:45 am – 12:45 pm
4:15 pm – 6:15 pm
Friday

10:00 am – 12:00 pm

Summer Groovers will experience Esalen in a format similar to our Self Guided Explorations workshops. Each Summer Groove week or weekend will open and close with a circle, and be filled with festive, nostalgic activities that harken back to those days of yore.

More activities can be found on our open class schedule.

See general schedule information including arrival, departure and meal times.

Accommodations & Tuition

Click Register Now to view availability of accommodations and all-inclusive, program-specific tuition. Please note that not all accommodation levels are available for every workshop and additional faculty fees may apply.

We offer scholarship funds for those with financial need. Learn more.

Please note: On Wednesday September 20, online registration may be unavailable for up to 15 minutes while system maintenance is performed. If the 'Register Now' page does not load, please wait about 15 minutes and try again.

Accommodations & Tuition

Click Register Now to view availability of accommodations and all-inclusive tuition that includes lodging, three meals per day, access to the baths, and all activities on the Summer Groove schedule.

We offer scholarship funds for those with financial need. Learn more.

Accommodations & Tuition

For this workshop, you will register and pay for accommodations and tuition in two separate steps.

First, sign up and pay tuition directly to

Second, click Book Accommodations from this page and enter the password to complete your reservation to stay at Esalen.

Prices for accommodations include your lodging, meals, open classes, and use of the baths and other facilities. View partner program accommodations pricing.

COVID Update

As of June 30, 2023 we no longer require a negative COVID test at the time of check in. Please read our current COVID safety guidelines for complete details prior to booking your stay.

COVID Update

All guests and faculty must provide proof of negative test results at time of check-in. Please read our current COVID safety guidelines for complete details prior to booking your stay.

COVID Update

In addition to proof of vaccination, all guests and faculty must provide proof of negative test results at time of check-in. Please read our current COVID safety guidelines for complete details prior to booking your stay.

COVID Update

Effective January 7, 2022 in response to the rapid spread of the new Omicron variant, all guests and faculty will provide proof of negative PCR, NAAT, or antigen test results at time of check-in. The test must be taken within 72 hours nd results must come from a laboratory or healthcare provider.Please read our updated COVID safety guidelines prior to booking your stay.

COVID Update

Effective December 15 in accordance with new guidance from Governor Gavin Newsom and the California Department of Health, all guests, students, staff, residents, and faculty are required to wear masks in all indoor public settings, irrespective of vaccine status, for the next four weeks (December 15, 2021 through January 15, 2022). Please read our updated COVID safety guidelines prior to booking your stay.

COVID Update

Effective November 19, 2021, in accordance with new guidance from the Monterey County Board of Supervisors, all guests, students, staff, residents, and faculty are no longer required to wear masks indoors on campus. Please read our updated COVID safety guidelines prior to booking your stay.

COVID Update

Starting November 5, 2021, due to substantial levels of COVID-19 transmission in Monterey County, a mask mandate established by the Monterey County Board of Supervisors will go into effect. Please read our COVID safety guidelines prior to booking your stay.

COVID Update

All guests will be required to provide proof of vaccination upon arrival starting September 3, 2021. Please read our COVID safety guidelines prior to booking your stay.

COVID Update

Masks are no longer mandated indoors or outdoors, except during massage sessions. Guests are not required to provide testing or vaccination verification before arriving on campus. Please read our COVID safety guidelines prior to booking your stay.

All-inclusive Pricing

Deborah Eden Tull

January 22–27, 2023
Register Now

All light arises from darkness, including insight, creativity, vision, and possibility. The luminous darkness is the presence and receptivity through which we also access light. It is the field of all potential that we sometimes forget in the context of ordinary life and habit. In this deeply restorative retreat, in the first month of a new year, we will commune with the luminous darkness to listen deeply, renew possibility, and set conscious intentions for our lives and world in the year ahead.

In this workshop, we will reflect on and harvest lessons from the past year and release limiting beliefs. This regenerative process is about remembering who we really are — and stepping into  possibility on behalf of our collective.

We will deepen our embodiment of compassion and clear seeing  through:

  • Meditation and Dharma talks.
  • Conscious movement and dance.
  • Embodied practices for invoking the realm of dreaming and conscious imagination and for embracing shadow and the unknown.
  • Reflective writing.
  • Relational mindfulness.
  • Deep time in nature.

This workshop, inspired by Eden’s book Luminous Darkness, draws upon the wisdom streams of Buddhist meditation and mindfulness, non-duality, deep ecology, and The Work That Reconnects.

Recommended reading: Luminous Darkness: An Engaged Buddhist Approach to Embracing the Unknown, by Deborah Eden Tull

Learn more about the requirements to receive continuing education credit.

Lead photo:
Deborah Eden Tull

Deborah Eden Tull, founder of Mindful Living Revolution, is a Zen meditation and mindfulness teacher, author, activist and sustainability educator. She bridges personal awakening with collective transformation. Her latest book is Luminous Darkness: An Engaged Buddhist Approach to Embracing the Unknown.

Read More

Workshop Schedule

Sunday
8:30 pm – 10:00 pm
Monday
9:45 am – 12:45 pm
4:15 pm – 6:15 pm
Tuesday
9:45 am – 12:45 pm
4:15 pm – 6:15 pm
Wednesday
9:45 am – 12:45 pm
4:15 pm – 6:15 pm
Thursday
9:45 am – 12:45 pm
4:15 pm – 6:15 pm
Friday

10:00 am – 12:00 pm

Summer Groovers will experience Esalen in a format similar to our Self Guided Explorations workshops. Each Summer Groove week or weekend will open and close with a circle, and be filled with festive, nostalgic activities that harken back to those days of yore.

More activities can be found on our open class schedule.

See general schedule information including arrival, departure and meal times.

Accommodations & Tuition

Click Register Now to view availability of accommodations and all-inclusive, program-specific tuition. Please note that not all accommodation levels are available for every workshop and additional faculty fees may apply.

Accommodations & Tuition

Click Register Now to view availability of accommodations and all-inclusive tuition that includes lodging, three meals per day, access to the baths, and all activities on the Summer Groove schedule.

We offer scholarship funds for those with financial need. Learn more.

Accommodations & Tuition

For this workshop, you will register and pay for accommodations and tuition in two separate steps.

First, sign up and pay tuition directly to

Second, click Book Accommodations from this page and enter the password to complete your reservation to stay at Esalen.

Prices for accommodations include your lodging, meals, open classes, and use of the baths and other facilities. View partner program accommodations pricing.

COVID Update

As of June 30, 2023 we no longer require a negative COVID test at the time of check in. Please read our current COVID safety guidelines for complete details prior to booking your stay.

COVID Update

All guests and faculty must provide proof of negative test results at time of check-in. Please read our current COVID safety guidelines for complete details prior to booking your stay.

COVID Update

In addition to proof of vaccination, all guests and faculty must provide proof of negative test results at time of check-in. Please read our current COVID safety guidelines for complete details prior to booking your stay.

COVID Update

Effective January 7, 2022 in response to the rapid spread of the new Omicron variant, all guests and faculty will provide proof of negative PCR, NAAT, or antigen test results at time of check-in. The test must be taken within 72 hours nd results must come from a laboratory or healthcare provider.Please read our updated COVID safety guidelines prior to booking your stay.

COVID Update

Effective December 15 in accordance with new guidance from Governor Gavin Newsom and the California Department of Health, all guests, students, staff, residents, and faculty are required to wear masks in all indoor public settings, irrespective of vaccine status, for the next four weeks (December 15, 2021 through January 15, 2022). Please read our updated COVID safety guidelines prior to booking your stay.

COVID Update

Effective November 19, 2021, in accordance with new guidance from the Monterey County Board of Supervisors, all guests, students, staff, residents, and faculty are no longer required to wear masks indoors on campus. Please read our updated COVID safety guidelines prior to booking your stay.

COVID Update

Starting November 5, 2021, due to substantial levels of COVID-19 transmission in Monterey County, a mask mandate established by the Monterey County Board of Supervisors will go into effect. Please read our COVID safety guidelines prior to booking your stay.

COVID Update

All guests will be required to provide proof of vaccination upon arrival starting September 3, 2021. Please read our COVID safety guidelines prior to booking your stay.

COVID Update

Masks are no longer mandated indoors or outdoors, except during massage sessions. Guests are not required to provide testing or vaccination verification before arriving on campus. Please read our COVID safety guidelines prior to booking your stay.

All-inclusive Pricing