Beyond Big Sur

In this three-part lecture series, join the legacy of Esalen, the famed institute that has shaped the boundaries of human potential.

Since the 1960s, the Esalen Institute has been a haven for dreamers, seekers, and the tie-dyed intelligentsia — a place where individual and collective potential collide. In this three-session course, we invite you to step into Esalen’s unique legacy, exploring its history of altered states of consciousness, its transformative practices, and its lasting cultural impact. From its unofficial explorations with psychedelics to the development of somatics, Gestalt, and the influential Esalen "check-in," participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of Esalen’s unique contributions to self-discovery and collective growth.

Designed for curious minds, dreamers, and quiet rebels alike, this course invites participants to tap into their own potential for healing and transformation. By the end of the course, you'll not only gain insight into Esalen’s history and lineage of practices but also learn tools to apply in your own life, whether in personal relationships, the workplace, or broader community efforts. Through the exploration of Esalen’s ethos of openness and community, this course offers more than just knowledge — it provides an opportunity for hope, connection, and self-actualization.

“A Historic Trip: Altered States at Esalen” traces how altered states of consciousness have shaped the legacy and ethos of Esalen Institute. During the early 1960s, Esalen emerged as a haven for self-exploration and the pursuit of human potential, surfacing against the backdrop of proto-hippie counterculture, the anti-war movement, and the growing embrace of Eastern thought. Through the societal shifts of the 1970s and Reagan-era 1980s, Esalen remained dedicated to exploring the outer reaches of both consciousness and culture: from psychedelics to parapsychology, from geopolitical conflict resolution to Gestalt Therapy for dentists, few topics were left unexamined and unexplored. Marathon encounter groups, primal scream, Creative Divorce and 5 Rhythms dance all found their place, alongside deeper inquiries into psychology, spirituality, and self-development.

Through archival photos and videos, we’ll examine how Esalen navigated a changing social landscape and built an unconventional, non-academic system of inquiry that pushed the boundaries of human experience.

This multimedia lecture explores the earlier history of Esalen Institute, specifically 1970's through the 1980s, as American culture underwent tumultuous social and political changes.

During the pivotal period of the 1960's, Esalen emerged as a hub for the pursuit of human potential and the exploration of the self. Against the backdrop of the Vietnam War, the rise of hippie counterculture, and the subsequent shifts into the 1970s and the Reagan-era 80's, Esalen remained proudly unique and wide-ranging in its focus. From parapsychology to Rolfing to Gestalt Therapy for Dentists, no topic was left unexamined. Marathon encounter groups, The Zen of Tennis, and Creative Divorce all had their place alongside more traditional inquiries into psychology, spiritual practice, and self-development. Central to this exploration was Esalen's "No One Captures the Flag" ethos, ensuring that no single ideology or belief system would dominate the discourse, allowing a diversity of thought to flourish.

Through Esalen’s storied archival photos and video, we’ll examine how Esalen navigated a changing social landscape, fostering a vibrant community that embraced the strange and the unconventional while still reflecting the institute's commitment to exploring the frontiers of human experience. We will analyze how Esalen's pursuit of the "Future of the Body" and its exploration of feminism, California culture, and geopolitical conflict resolution contributed to its enduring legacy.