Esalen Institute is open! However, Highway 1 to the south is closed — please review the current travel advisory.
Learn More.

Learn more.

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.
past workshop

Starting the New Year Meditation Retreat: Self-Love and Kindness That Benefits All

January 4–9, 2026

Mark Abramson

This retreat is a quiet, reflective New Year celebration with the opportunity to discover a deep, centered place within and brings together the rich, sensual experience of Esalen — the sounds of the ocean, the feeling of the air, and the beauty of its colors and textures with an opportunity to deeply connect with oneself through the healing that meditation and loving kindness brings. Dr. Abramson has been a workshop leader at Esalen for over 30 years and at Stanford University guiding both those new to meditation and those who have deep experience of practice.

The New Year, with its connection to the winter solstice and new beginnings, is the perfect time to silently journey inward and offers a special opportunity to focus inward, deeply connect with oneself, and reflect on life goals for the upcoming year’s journey. You are invited to set intentions and explore, through seated and moving meditation, themes of self-kindness, self-care, and nurturing.

The morning and evening classes are inner journeys of stillness and movement practices that open the doors of awareness building momentum for cultivating inner peace and concentration of mindful awareness. Each evening will include a walking meditation timed with the sunset.

In the mid day break and the evenings are free to mindfully enjoy the beauty of Esalen, walking the gardens or soak in the hot tubs overlooking the Pacific ocean, or you may choose to continue silence in inner retreat.

Mark Abramson

Dr. Mark Abramson is the founder of Stanford University Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Program. He teaches at Stanford, conducts programs in mindfulness for corporations, and has a private dental practice.

Full Bio