Esalen has always been a tricky place to summarize — how do you capture an expansive experience into a static piece of text? But anything is possible with enough creativity and love, so we are pleased to share our newly published 2020 Annual Report.

Clinical therapist and trauma specialist Lauren Taus sat down with Voices of Esalen’s Sam Stern recently to talk about her work in the realm of ketamine-assisted therapy and talked at length about the impact it’s had on her life.

“Pesto” is usually synonymous with “basil,” but you can use the same basic method — pounding herbs, nuts, and other aromatics together with oil — to play with flavor. What's in your garden this week? Make it a pesto!

Terrance Ching is a US-based Chinese Singaporean who’s currently completing a PhD in clinical psychology at the University of Connecticut; his doctoral work examines the efficacy of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for white participants and participants of color. Terrance sat down with Voices of Esalen’s Sam Stern to talk more about how to build inclusivity into MDMA therapy from the ground up. Read on for the highlights of their conversation.

The only constant in life is change. Whether you’re working through a difficult time — the stress and pain of the past year, or an acute loss — or are preparing for the joyful chaos that comes with welcoming a child into your life, these just-added workshops will support you through the challenges of transformation.

Charlotte James and Undrea Wright are the founders of The Ancestor Project (formerly known as The Sabina Project), a black-led platform for psychedelic education, legal ceremonies, and integration. Their mission is to return reverence to sacred earth medicine ways, to look to and learn from ancestral practices and to support radical self-transformation in the name of collective liberation. When Charlotte and Dre appeared on a recent episode of Voices of Esalen in conversation with Esalen’s Sam Stern, they discussed how they transitioned from lives filled with stress and psychic noise to new ways of being.

This juice is exactly as it sounds, and so much like an experience here at Esalen...it's all the things and will have you feeling balanced, grounded and vital.

When I was single in my 30s, I searched for a man who would treat me like a goddess. The more I studied yoga and blended in the sister science, Ayurveda, the more I realized this: I need to treat myself like a goddess. 

This is a complete list of workshops and events that are currently open for registration. Check the Journal every other Monday to see the latest additions to the schedule!

Sarah Gael is a harm reduction officer at Zendo Project, a program sponsored by MAPS (the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies). She joined Voices of Esalen’s Sam Stern recently to talk about her work in peer-to-peer psychedelic therapy, recent developments in the decriminalization movement, and more. Read on for some high notes from their conversation, and then tune in to Voices of Esalen this Friday, April 16, 2021, to listen to the full episode.

A fruit panzanella takes the same mix of bread, fresh produce, and acid used to create traditional savory panzanella and turns it into something that’s great for breakfast, an afternoon snack, or dessert. For this version, we macerate blackberries with honey, freshly-squeezed orange juice, and white balsamic; vinegar highlights and punches up the berry flavor.

Ismail Ali is the Policy & Advocacy Counsel for the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS), where his job is to advocate for the elimination of barriers to psychedelic therapy and research by developing and implementing legal and policy strategy. Ali joined Voices of Esalen’s Sam Stern recently for a wide-ranging discussion about the future of drug policy reform in the United States.

Did you know that Friends of Esalen has a book club? This month, we’re reading Dr. Qing Li’s 2018 book, "Forest Bathing: How Trees Can Help You Find Health and Happiness."

Atlanta’s Danny Fluker, Jr. is a writer, yoga teacher, IT professional, and wellness advocate. He’s also the founder of Black Boys OM and — as of March 15th — Esalen’s current Artist In Residence. We chatted with Danny halfway through his stay on campus.

Earlier this year we began offering limited edition Seasonal Boxes in the Esalen shop — specially chosen items to help you bring a little Esalen into your daily life — curated by our buyer, Heather Martin. Here she describes her selection process and the intention behind three new offerings for spring.

This is a complete list of workshops and events that are currently open for registration. Check the Journal every other Monday to see the latest additions to the schedule!

It’s hard to go wrong with flavor combinations when you pair things that come into season together, like early spring’s pea shoots and asparagus bolstered with the last of winter’s citrus. This salad is spring green on a plate, with a delightful mix of flavors and textures — acidic citrus, bright mint, sweet peas, crunchy nuts, tender asparagus — that elevate it beyond an everyday salad.

This is a complete list of workshops and events that are currently open for registration. Check the Journal every other Monday to see what new workshops have been added to the schedule.

Polenta is easy to cook and a great canvas for all kinds of flavors. This version is rich with herbs, but you could substitute your favorite spices, add cheese, stir in some sauteed mushrooms or spinach — the possibilities are limitless. 

The connection between artists and creative spirits is a foundational part of Esalen’s lineage. We piloted the Artist in Residence program (AiR) last year with Sharon Virtue. Now, the full program officially launches with three exciting artists who span the creative spectrum.