Beginning March 9, 2026 we will begin maintenance work at the baths on Mondays. Learn More.
Learn More.

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Due to road closures along Highway 1 to our north and south, Esalen is closed through April 11.
Esalen Institute is open! However, Highway 1 to the south is closed — please review the current travel advisory.

Esalen opens May 3, 2024

Visitors are now able to access Esalen as well as other businesses and trails in northern Big Sur via twice-daily convoys on Highway 1 operated by Caltrans.

Convoys run only at 7:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. each day. These are the only opportunities to travel into and out of Big Sur, so visitors must plan accordingly.

Learn more.

Chandra Easton

Chandra Easton is a Buddhist teacher, devotional music artist, author, and translator of Tibetan Buddhist texts who has taught Buddhism and Hatha Yoga since 2001. She is the author of Embodying Tara: Twenty-One Manifestations to Awaken Your Innate Wisdom (Shambhala, 2023), which bridges scholarship, devotion, and the living wisdom of the sacred feminine, and co-translated Sublime Dharma: A Compilation of Two Texts on the Great Perfection (Vimala, 2012).

Rooted in Tibetan Buddhism and the Great Perfection (Dzogchen), her primary passion is making these ancient teachings applicable and accessible for modern life, particularly in amplifying the voice of the sacred feminine in Buddhist theory and practice. She holds the title of Dorje Lopön (Vajra Teacher) at Tara Mandala, founded by Lama Tsultrim Allione, where she designs curriculum and serves on three councils: the Upaya (Executive), Prajna (Guiding Teacher), and Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Councils.

Her embodiment path weaves together Hatha Yoga and Tibetan Yoga. A student of classical Indian Hindustani singing, she co-founded the 21 Taras Collective in 2017 to record melodies for the 21 Tara mantras found in Embodying Tara.

She has offered annual retreats at Esalen since 2003.

Chandra Easton is a Buddhist teacher, devotional music artist, author of Embodying Tara, and co-translator of Sublime Dharma. Rooted in Dzogchen (Great Perfection), she holds the title of Dorje Lopön (Vajra Teacher) and has led annual retreats at Esalen since 2003.