The Esalen Journal

The Esalen Journal is a compendium of articles that encompass everything from inspiring conversations with cultural luminaries and Esalen instructors to timely news announcements, book recommendations, and soul-nurturing recipes.

The Rising Serpent at Esalen
May 24, 2023
The Rising Serpent at Esalen

Esalen scholar and teacher Marleen Thaler, who has dedicated her academic research to exploring modern interpretations of the enlightenment experience of kuṇḍalinī, shares some of the history of spiritual energy — and Esalen’s role in sharing it with Western minds and bodies.

Esalen scholar and teacher Marleen Thaler, who has dedicated her academic research to exploring modern interpretations of the enlightenment experience of kuṇḍalinī, shares some of the history of spiritual energy — and Esalen’s role in sharing it with Western minds and bodies.

Altered Spaces and the Art of Writing: An Intentional Cultivation
May 12, 2023
Altered Spaces and the Art of Writing: An Intentional Cultivation

Language can guide us through our deepest and subtlest encounters with ourselves and the world. Upcoming workshop leaders Sravana Borkataky-Varma and Erik Davis offer a simple exercise to help show how writing can help us work out and work through mysteries that surround us, including the mysteries that we are.

Language can guide us through our deepest and subtlest encounters with ourselves and the world. Upcoming workshop leaders Sravana Borkataky-Varma and Erik Davis offer a simple exercise to help show how writing can help us work out and work through mysteries that surround us, including the mysteries that we are.

Back in the Day with Perry Holloman
April 6, 2023
Back in the Day with Perry Holloman

Perry Holloman, a practitioner of Esalen massage, deep bodywork, and body-oriented approaches to relational Gestalt process work for more than 30 years, takes us back to the early 1980s, when the Ivy League undergrad held court as Esalen’s resident dishwasher, chess player, dancer, and preschool teacher.

Perry Holloman, a practitioner of Esalen massage, deep bodywork, and body-oriented approaches to relational Gestalt process work for more than 30 years, takes us back to the early 1980s, when the Ivy League undergrad held court as Esalen’s resident dishwasher, chess player, dancer, and preschool teacher.

Leadership With Gratitude — #myEsalen
April 5, 2023
Leadership With Gratitude — #myEsalen

“With beauty and grace, we set the stage for people to have an amazing inner journey here, creating the space for all to reach their Human Potential.” Esalen’s chief operating officer envisions a new era for the next generation of thought leaders — “We are developing a secure place through training and professional and personal development,” she says excitedly — while staying laser-focused on providing guests memorable experiences.

“With beauty and grace, we set the stage for people to have an amazing inner journey here, creating the space for all to reach their Human Potential.” Esalen’s chief operating officer envisions a new era for the next generation of thought leaders — “We are developing a secure place through training and professional and personal development,” she says excitedly — while staying laser-focused on providing guests memorable experiences.

The Proust Questionnaire: Micha Merrick
April 4, 2023
The Proust Questionnaire: Micha Merrick

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.

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.

On Our Bookshelf: Innovators and Innovation
March 4, 2023
On Our Bookshelf: Innovators and Innovation

Pursuing your potential is an ongoing process that resonates differently for each of us. Whatever your goals, guidance can often be found from the greats. Look upon their works, but do not despair! Instead, be inspired to grow mighty.

Pursuing your potential is an ongoing process that resonates differently for each of us. Whatever your goals, guidance can often be found from the greats. Look upon their works, but do not despair! Instead, be inspired to grow mighty.

An Experience Hunter Seeks Community — #myEsalen
March 1, 2023
An Experience Hunter Seeks Community — #myEsalen

After fluttering around the world, Manon Wilde’s restless spirit suddenly alights at Esalen — for now: “Here, I feel connected, accepted, and valued.”

After fluttering around the world, Manon Wilde’s restless spirit suddenly alights at Esalen — for now: “Here, I feel connected, accepted, and valued.”

The Proust Questionnaire: Bill Donius
February 27, 2023
The Proust Questionnaire: Bill Donius

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.

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 he’s traveled the world sharing this creativity block hack for nearly thirty years.

Self Love: An I-Love-My-Body Story
February 7, 2023
Self Love: An I-Love-My-Body Story

“I went from hating my body to loving my body,” shares Dave Morin. The concept of accepting our physical selves and the healing power of touch developed holistically for Western curiosity at Esalen. "Celebrating the body and pleasure supported by the freedom of the '60s and '70s became central,” recalls Peggy Horan.

“I went from hating my body to loving my body,” shares Dave Morin in this short video. The concept of accepting our physical selves and the healing power of touch developed holistically for Western curiosity at Esalen. "Celebrating the body and pleasure supported by the freedom of the '60s and '70s became central,” recalls Peggy Horan.

My Special Spot at Esalen: A Locational Love Story
February 6, 2023
My Special Spot at Esalen: A Locational Love Story

We asked some of our upcoming workshop leaders to share their favorite spots on campus — where they feel Esalen’s mystique and beauty most acutely.

We asked some of our upcoming workshop leaders to share their favorite spots on campus — where they feel Esalen’s mystique and beauty most acutely.

On Our Bookshelf: Love Stories
February 6, 2023
On Our Bookshelf: Love Stories

This month, we search for love in all its myriad forms — philosophically, spiritually, bodily, and psychologically. Here are a few titles to deepen your understanding for the type of love you desire.

This month, we search for love in all its myriad forms — philosophically, spiritually, bodily, and psychologically. Here are a few titles to deepen your understanding for the type of love you desire.

Like a Call to Come Home — #myEsalen
January 20, 2023
Like a Call to Come Home — #myEsalen

Guest Services Supervisor Nani Almanza likens finding her way to Esalen during the pandemic to “washing up on the shore of a beautiful island after being lost at sea.”

Guest Services Supervisor Nani Almanza likens finding her way to Esalen during the pandemic to “washing up on the shore of a beautiful island after being lost at sea.”

The Proust Questionnaire: Sadia Bruce
January 20, 2023
The Proust Questionnaire: Sadia Bruce

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.”

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.”

Back in the Day with Peggy Horan: “I was kind of trying to find my way in it. Really, I was trying to find myself.”
January 13, 2023
Back in the Day with Peggy Horan: “I was kind of trying to find my way in it. Really, I was trying to find myself.”

Peggy Horan found her calling in Esalen Massage®. After managing the Healing Arts department at Esalen for over a decade while teaching workshops and leading teacher training programs, the certified meditation teacher now has a coaching practice. She reflects on the summer of ’69 and the Esalen of that very poignant time in American culture. “I wasn't a hippie,” she says. “But I was fringe; I believed in the movement.” Peggy tells the tale of a formative moment: young dreamers discovering themselves through cutting edge spiritual practices and psychedelics — all to a soundtrack by Joni Mitchell and Joan Baez.

Peggy Horan found her calling in Esalen Massage®. After managing the Healing Arts department at Esalen for over a decade while teaching workshops and leading teacher training programs, the certified meditation teacher now has a coaching practice. She reflects on the summer of ’69 and the Esalen of that very poignant time in American culture. “I wasn't a hippie,” she says. “But I was fringe; I believed in the movement.” Peggy tells the tale of a formative moment: young dreamers discovering themselves through cutting edge spiritual practices and psychedelics — all to a soundtrack by Joni Mitchell and Joan Baez.

On Our Bookshelf: Psychedelics
January 2, 2023
On Our Bookshelf: Psychedelics

The great psychedelic resurgence is upon us. If your curiosity is piqued, we’ve created a reading list that will expand the mind and understanding of psychedelics today while also honoring the galaxy’s most distinguished pioneers: Huxley, Fadiman, McKenna, Grof — each with a long history at Esalen.

The great psychedelic resurgence is upon us. If your curiosity is piqued, we’ve created a reading list that will expand the mind and understanding of psychedelics today while also honoring the galaxy’s most distinguished pioneers: Huxley, Fadiman, McKenna, Grof — each with a long history at Esalen.

Make 2023 Easier by Prioritizing Difficult Conversations
December 29, 2022
Make 2023 Easier by Prioritizing Difficult Conversations

As we awaken into the new year, right now is a good time to reflect on how we communicate and share this planet with one another. Tatyana Sanikovich spent a decade at Esalen and currently works as a leadership and career coach. She draws wisdom from her experiences and shares ways to move forward rather than wallow in the spirals of what if and if only.

As we awaken into the new year, right now is a good time to reflect on how we communicate and share this planet with one another. Tatyana Sanikovich spent a decade at Esalen and currently works as a leadership and career coach. She draws wisdom from her experiences and shares ways to move forward rather than wallow in the spirals of what if and if only.

Conversations We Should Be Having: All Of Us Or None Of Us
December 23, 2022
Conversations We Should Be Having: All Of Us Or None Of Us

In her second installment of “Conversations We Should Be Having,” S. Rae Peoples asks activist and publisher Tim McKee, how he thinks white men can meaningfully contribute to and benefit from racial justice.

In her second installment of “Conversations We Should Be Having,” S. Rae Peoples speaks with Tim McKee, activist and publisher of North Atlantic Books, to discuss diversity and equity, and ask the uncomfortable-yet-pivotal question: How can white men contribute to and benefit from racial justice in a committed and meaningful way?