You don’t have to leave Esalen behind when you head home. While no suitcase can hold the sound of the Pacific or the feeling of soaking beneath the stars, there are plenty of ways to keep the spirit of your stay alive long after you’ve left Big Sur.
Take home a meditation, movement routine, journaling habit, or daily ritual that reminds you of your time here. Maybe that comes out of your workshop, or perhaps it is born out of an Open Class you peppered your stay with.
Write down the conversation, breakthrough, or unexpected moment you’ll want to remember years from now. (If you need a journal… with care, consider filling the pages of the Burn After Writing ritual journal — but please online strike the match when you are back home in a fire safe environment.
A sprig of rosemary, a lemon, or a sage bundle from Micha’s Flower Harvest class can become a beautiful sensory reminder. (Remember: always take only what is offered or invited.)
A heart-shaped stone, an interesting rock, or another small treasure can become a tangible reminder of what you experienced. (Again, only where appropriate and in accordance with stewardship of this sacred land.)
Our classic Esalen apparel has become part of countless guests’ everyday wardrobes, a stylish reminder that what happens at Esalen doesn’t necessarily stay at Esalen. And sometimes, a sweatshirt or T-shirt becomes its own little signal: someone spots our logo, says “I’ve been there,” and a conversation begins. Two of our current favorites are the Esalen classic logo tee in white and asphalt along with our sweatshirt collaboration with Somewhere boutique in Carmel, California: the floral design in sky blue, and the Big Sur tree design in lavender and forest green.
→ Wear It for Big Sur. We also have a shirt with a different kind of ripple effect. Our Big Sur Fire Relief Tee was designed pro bono by Esalen work scholar alum Phoenix Ridings and printed gratis by Coronel Designs Co in Salinas. All proceeds go to the Big Share Disaster & Storm Recovery, Big Sur Volunteer Fire Brigade, and the Community Association of Big Sur Timber Fire Relief Fund. Coming soon in Pine Green or Vintage Brown, it’s a way to wear a little Big Sur and give something back to the community that helps to make this place possible.
Choose a book by one of Esalen’s influential teachers or another thoughtfully curated title from the Bookstore to keep your curiosity alive. Peggy Horan co-leads a massage workshop October 30–November 1 and her book, Connecting Through Touch, will be back in stock shortly. Hawah Kasat leads his workshop November 6–8 and his edited book, The Poetry of Yoga Vol. 1 , is currently available. Raj Balkaran comes November 27–29 to lead his workshop by the same name as his book, The Stories Behind the Poses.
Once on campus, the experience begins, even before you’ve even settled into your room. There’s the Pacific in the air, the landscape around you, the gardens, the minerals and steam of the baths, and all the scents and textures that slip in and become part of an experience. Some of those sensations become embedded in your memory without you realizing it. Later, a familiar scent, a warm bath, or a small daily ritual can bring a little of it back.
That’s the idea behind our Esalen Bath & Body Collection: sensory reminders of Big Sur that you can fold into everyday life. Choose Big Sur Woods or Big Sur Meadow in hand and body wash, lotion, massage and body oil, or aromatic mist. And for a ready-made ritual or gift, there are bath salt and body oil sets in both scents. There’s no substitute for being here. But a familiar scent can bring a memory back, and a small ritual can give that memory somewhere to land.
The Bookstore is thoughtfully curated with work from artists, craftspeople, and small makers whose values align with Esalen’s spirit of creativity, curiosity, and exploration. Some of our personal favorites this time of year come from our own Lisa Hudson in Guest Services, whose Big Sur Agua Florida sacred mist spray captures something of the Big Sur landscape in a bottle. And then there’s Daughter of Earth out of Los Angeles by creatress Alexa Angel, whose Sacred Sage Ritual Body Oil, Holy Cacao Ritual Body Oil, and Cacao Ritual Body Scrub turn an everyday bath or body ritual into something a little more intentional. Because sometimes the best souvenir isn’t something that says Esalen on it. It’s something made by someone whose work you want to take with you.
Before you leave, write yourself a postcard. Share what surprised you, what you’re hoping to carry forward, or one promise you’re making to yourself. A week later, when it arrives in your mailbox, you’ll get to revisit the version of yourself who was standing on these cliffs. Grab a select postcard while at Esalen or slip this Esalen Illustrated Postcard 4-Pack in your cart before or after your visit!
Not everything is meant to come home with you. Maybe it’s an old story you’ve outgrown, a worry you’ve been carrying, or a belief that’s no longer serving you. If you happen to have an extra sweater, book, or other useful item you no longer need, consider donating it through an appropriate channel so it can find a second life with someone else in our found box by the laundry room. Esalen has always been sustained by generosity — by people who leave a place a little better than they found it.
“Remembering to be as self compassionate as I can and praying to the divine that we're all a part of.”
–Aaron
“Prayer, reading, meditation, walking.”
–Karen
“Erratically — which is an ongoing stream of practice to find peace.”
–Charles
“Try on a daily basis to be kind to myself and to realize that making mistakes is a part of the human condition. Learning from our mistakes is a journey. But it starts with compassion and caring. First for oneself.”
–Steve
“Physically: aerobic exercise, volleyball, ice hockey, cycling, sailing. Emotionally: unfortunately I have to work to ‘not care’ about people or situations which may end painfully. Along the lines of ‘attachment is the source of suffering’, so best to avoid it or limit its scope. Sad though because it could also be the source of great joy. Is it worth the risk?“
–Rainer
“It's time for my heart to be nurtured on one level yet contained on another. To go easy on me and to allow my feelings to be validated, not judged harshly. On the other hand, to let the heart rule with equanimity and not lead the mind and body around like a master.”
–Suzanne
“I spend time thinking of everything I am grateful for, and I try to develop my ability to express compassion for myself and others without reservation. I take time to do the things I need to do to keep myself healthy and happy. This includes taking experiential workshops, fostering relationships, and participating within groups which have a similar interest to become a more compassionate and fulfilled being.“
–Peter
“Self-forgiveness for my own judgments. And oh yeah, coming to Esalen.”
–David B.
“Hmm, this is a tough one! I guess I take care of my heart through fostering relationships with people I feel connected to. Spending quality time with them (whether we're on the phone, through messages/letters, on Zoom, or in-person). Being there for them, listening to them, sharing what's going on with me, my struggles and my successes... like we do in the Esalen weekly Friends of Esalen Zoom sessions!”
–Lori
“I remind myself in many ways of the fact that " Love is all there is!" LOVE is the prize and this one precious life is the stage we get to learn our lessons. I get out into nature, hike, camp, river kayak, fly fish, garden, I create, I dance (not enough!), and I remain grateful for each day, each breath, each moment. Being in the moment, awake, and remembering the gift of life and my feeling of gratitude for all of creation.”
–Steven
“My physical heart by limiting stress and eating a heart-healthy diet. My emotional heart by staying in love with the world and by knowing that all disappointment and loss will pass.“
–David Z.
Today, September 29, is World Heart Day. Strike up a conversation with your own heart and as you feel comfortable, encourage others to do the same. As part of our own transformations and self-care, we sometimes ask for others to illuminate and enliven our hearts or speak our love language.
What if we could do this for ourselves too, even if just for today… or to start a heart practice, forever?
You don’t have to leave Esalen behind when you head home. While no suitcase can hold the sound of the Pacific or the feeling of soaking beneath the stars, there are plenty of ways to keep the spirit of your stay alive long after you’ve left Big Sur.
Take home a meditation, movement routine, journaling habit, or daily ritual that reminds you of your time here. Maybe that comes out of your workshop, or perhaps it is born out of an Open Class you peppered your stay with.
Write down the conversation, breakthrough, or unexpected moment you’ll want to remember years from now. (If you need a journal… with care, consider filling the pages of the Burn After Writing ritual journal — but please online strike the match when you are back home in a fire safe environment.
A sprig of rosemary, a lemon, or a sage bundle from Micha’s Flower Harvest class can become a beautiful sensory reminder. (Remember: always take only what is offered or invited.)
A heart-shaped stone, an interesting rock, or another small treasure can become a tangible reminder of what you experienced. (Again, only where appropriate and in accordance with stewardship of this sacred land.)
Our classic Esalen apparel has become part of countless guests’ everyday wardrobes, a stylish reminder that what happens at Esalen doesn’t necessarily stay at Esalen. And sometimes, a sweatshirt or T-shirt becomes its own little signal: someone spots our logo, says “I’ve been there,” and a conversation begins. Two of our current favorites are the Esalen classic logo tee in white and asphalt along with our sweatshirt collaboration with Somewhere boutique in Carmel, California: the floral design in sky blue, and the Big Sur tree design in lavender and forest green.
→ Wear It for Big Sur. We also have a shirt with a different kind of ripple effect. Our Big Sur Fire Relief Tee was designed pro bono by Esalen work scholar alum Phoenix Ridings and printed gratis by Coronel Designs Co in Salinas. All proceeds go to the Big Share Disaster & Storm Recovery, Big Sur Volunteer Fire Brigade, and the Community Association of Big Sur Timber Fire Relief Fund. Coming soon in Pine Green or Vintage Brown, it’s a way to wear a little Big Sur and give something back to the community that helps to make this place possible.
Choose a book by one of Esalen’s influential teachers or another thoughtfully curated title from the Bookstore to keep your curiosity alive. Peggy Horan co-leads a massage workshop October 30–November 1 and her book, Connecting Through Touch, will be back in stock shortly. Hawah Kasat leads his workshop November 6–8 and his edited book, The Poetry of Yoga Vol. 1 , is currently available. Raj Balkaran comes November 27–29 to lead his workshop by the same name as his book, The Stories Behind the Poses.
Once on campus, the experience begins, even before you’ve even settled into your room. There’s the Pacific in the air, the landscape around you, the gardens, the minerals and steam of the baths, and all the scents and textures that slip in and become part of an experience. Some of those sensations become embedded in your memory without you realizing it. Later, a familiar scent, a warm bath, or a small daily ritual can bring a little of it back.
That’s the idea behind our Esalen Bath & Body Collection: sensory reminders of Big Sur that you can fold into everyday life. Choose Big Sur Woods or Big Sur Meadow in hand and body wash, lotion, massage and body oil, or aromatic mist. And for a ready-made ritual or gift, there are bath salt and body oil sets in both scents. There’s no substitute for being here. But a familiar scent can bring a memory back, and a small ritual can give that memory somewhere to land.
The Bookstore is thoughtfully curated with work from artists, craftspeople, and small makers whose values align with Esalen’s spirit of creativity, curiosity, and exploration. Some of our personal favorites this time of year come from our own Lisa Hudson in Guest Services, whose Big Sur Agua Florida sacred mist spray captures something of the Big Sur landscape in a bottle. And then there’s Daughter of Earth out of Los Angeles by creatress Alexa Angel, whose Sacred Sage Ritual Body Oil, Holy Cacao Ritual Body Oil, and Cacao Ritual Body Scrub turn an everyday bath or body ritual into something a little more intentional. Because sometimes the best souvenir isn’t something that says Esalen on it. It’s something made by someone whose work you want to take with you.
Before you leave, write yourself a postcard. Share what surprised you, what you’re hoping to carry forward, or one promise you’re making to yourself. A week later, when it arrives in your mailbox, you’ll get to revisit the version of yourself who was standing on these cliffs. Grab a select postcard while at Esalen or slip this Esalen Illustrated Postcard 4-Pack in your cart before or after your visit!
Not everything is meant to come home with you. Maybe it’s an old story you’ve outgrown, a worry you’ve been carrying, or a belief that’s no longer serving you. If you happen to have an extra sweater, book, or other useful item you no longer need, consider donating it through an appropriate channel so it can find a second life with someone else in our found box by the laundry room. Esalen has always been sustained by generosity — by people who leave a place a little better than they found it.
“Remembering to be as self compassionate as I can and praying to the divine that we're all a part of.”
–Aaron
“Prayer, reading, meditation, walking.”
–Karen
“Erratically — which is an ongoing stream of practice to find peace.”
–Charles
“Try on a daily basis to be kind to myself and to realize that making mistakes is a part of the human condition. Learning from our mistakes is a journey. But it starts with compassion and caring. First for oneself.”
–Steve
“Physically: aerobic exercise, volleyball, ice hockey, cycling, sailing. Emotionally: unfortunately I have to work to ‘not care’ about people or situations which may end painfully. Along the lines of ‘attachment is the source of suffering’, so best to avoid it or limit its scope. Sad though because it could also be the source of great joy. Is it worth the risk?“
–Rainer
“It's time for my heart to be nurtured on one level yet contained on another. To go easy on me and to allow my feelings to be validated, not judged harshly. On the other hand, to let the heart rule with equanimity and not lead the mind and body around like a master.”
–Suzanne
“I spend time thinking of everything I am grateful for, and I try to develop my ability to express compassion for myself and others without reservation. I take time to do the things I need to do to keep myself healthy and happy. This includes taking experiential workshops, fostering relationships, and participating within groups which have a similar interest to become a more compassionate and fulfilled being.“
–Peter
“Self-forgiveness for my own judgments. And oh yeah, coming to Esalen.”
–David B.
“Hmm, this is a tough one! I guess I take care of my heart through fostering relationships with people I feel connected to. Spending quality time with them (whether we're on the phone, through messages/letters, on Zoom, or in-person). Being there for them, listening to them, sharing what's going on with me, my struggles and my successes... like we do in the Esalen weekly Friends of Esalen Zoom sessions!”
–Lori
“I remind myself in many ways of the fact that " Love is all there is!" LOVE is the prize and this one precious life is the stage we get to learn our lessons. I get out into nature, hike, camp, river kayak, fly fish, garden, I create, I dance (not enough!), and I remain grateful for each day, each breath, each moment. Being in the moment, awake, and remembering the gift of life and my feeling of gratitude for all of creation.”
–Steven
“My physical heart by limiting stress and eating a heart-healthy diet. My emotional heart by staying in love with the world and by knowing that all disappointment and loss will pass.“
–David Z.
Today, September 29, is World Heart Day. Strike up a conversation with your own heart and as you feel comfortable, encourage others to do the same. As part of our own transformations and self-care, we sometimes ask for others to illuminate and enliven our hearts or speak our love language.
What if we could do this for ourselves too, even if just for today… or to start a heart practice, forever?
You don’t have to leave Esalen behind when you head home. While no suitcase can hold the sound of the Pacific or the feeling of soaking beneath the stars, there are plenty of ways to keep the spirit of your stay alive long after you’ve left Big Sur.
Take home a meditation, movement routine, journaling habit, or daily ritual that reminds you of your time here. Maybe that comes out of your workshop, or perhaps it is born out of an Open Class you peppered your stay with.
Write down the conversation, breakthrough, or unexpected moment you’ll want to remember years from now. (If you need a journal… with care, consider filling the pages of the Burn After Writing ritual journal — but please online strike the match when you are back home in a fire safe environment.
A sprig of rosemary, a lemon, or a sage bundle from Micha’s Flower Harvest class can become a beautiful sensory reminder. (Remember: always take only what is offered or invited.)
A heart-shaped stone, an interesting rock, or another small treasure can become a tangible reminder of what you experienced. (Again, only where appropriate and in accordance with stewardship of this sacred land.)
Our classic Esalen apparel has become part of countless guests’ everyday wardrobes, a stylish reminder that what happens at Esalen doesn’t necessarily stay at Esalen. And sometimes, a sweatshirt or T-shirt becomes its own little signal: someone spots our logo, says “I’ve been there,” and a conversation begins. Two of our current favorites are the Esalen classic logo tee in white and asphalt along with our sweatshirt collaboration with Somewhere boutique in Carmel, California: the floral design in sky blue, and the Big Sur tree design in lavender and forest green.
→ Wear It for Big Sur. We also have a shirt with a different kind of ripple effect. Our Big Sur Fire Relief Tee was designed pro bono by Esalen work scholar alum Phoenix Ridings and printed gratis by Coronel Designs Co in Salinas. All proceeds go to the Big Share Disaster & Storm Recovery, Big Sur Volunteer Fire Brigade, and the Community Association of Big Sur Timber Fire Relief Fund. Coming soon in Pine Green or Vintage Brown, it’s a way to wear a little Big Sur and give something back to the community that helps to make this place possible.
Choose a book by one of Esalen’s influential teachers or another thoughtfully curated title from the Bookstore to keep your curiosity alive. Peggy Horan co-leads a massage workshop October 30–November 1 and her book, Connecting Through Touch, will be back in stock shortly. Hawah Kasat leads his workshop November 6–8 and his edited book, The Poetry of Yoga Vol. 1 , is currently available. Raj Balkaran comes November 27–29 to lead his workshop by the same name as his book, The Stories Behind the Poses.
Once on campus, the experience begins, even before you’ve even settled into your room. There’s the Pacific in the air, the landscape around you, the gardens, the minerals and steam of the baths, and all the scents and textures that slip in and become part of an experience. Some of those sensations become embedded in your memory without you realizing it. Later, a familiar scent, a warm bath, or a small daily ritual can bring a little of it back.
That’s the idea behind our Esalen Bath & Body Collection: sensory reminders of Big Sur that you can fold into everyday life. Choose Big Sur Woods or Big Sur Meadow in hand and body wash, lotion, massage and body oil, or aromatic mist. And for a ready-made ritual or gift, there are bath salt and body oil sets in both scents. There’s no substitute for being here. But a familiar scent can bring a memory back, and a small ritual can give that memory somewhere to land.
The Bookstore is thoughtfully curated with work from artists, craftspeople, and small makers whose values align with Esalen’s spirit of creativity, curiosity, and exploration. Some of our personal favorites this time of year come from our own Lisa Hudson in Guest Services, whose Big Sur Agua Florida sacred mist spray captures something of the Big Sur landscape in a bottle. And then there’s Daughter of Earth out of Los Angeles by creatress Alexa Angel, whose Sacred Sage Ritual Body Oil, Holy Cacao Ritual Body Oil, and Cacao Ritual Body Scrub turn an everyday bath or body ritual into something a little more intentional. Because sometimes the best souvenir isn’t something that says Esalen on it. It’s something made by someone whose work you want to take with you.
Before you leave, write yourself a postcard. Share what surprised you, what you’re hoping to carry forward, or one promise you’re making to yourself. A week later, when it arrives in your mailbox, you’ll get to revisit the version of yourself who was standing on these cliffs. Grab a select postcard while at Esalen or slip this Esalen Illustrated Postcard 4-Pack in your cart before or after your visit!
Not everything is meant to come home with you. Maybe it’s an old story you’ve outgrown, a worry you’ve been carrying, or a belief that’s no longer serving you. If you happen to have an extra sweater, book, or other useful item you no longer need, consider donating it through an appropriate channel so it can find a second life with someone else in our found box by the laundry room. Esalen has always been sustained by generosity — by people who leave a place a little better than they found it.
“Remembering to be as self compassionate as I can and praying to the divine that we're all a part of.”
–Aaron
“Prayer, reading, meditation, walking.”
–Karen
“Erratically — which is an ongoing stream of practice to find peace.”
–Charles
“Try on a daily basis to be kind to myself and to realize that making mistakes is a part of the human condition. Learning from our mistakes is a journey. But it starts with compassion and caring. First for oneself.”
–Steve
“Physically: aerobic exercise, volleyball, ice hockey, cycling, sailing. Emotionally: unfortunately I have to work to ‘not care’ about people or situations which may end painfully. Along the lines of ‘attachment is the source of suffering’, so best to avoid it or limit its scope. Sad though because it could also be the source of great joy. Is it worth the risk?“
–Rainer
“It's time for my heart to be nurtured on one level yet contained on another. To go easy on me and to allow my feelings to be validated, not judged harshly. On the other hand, to let the heart rule with equanimity and not lead the mind and body around like a master.”
–Suzanne
“I spend time thinking of everything I am grateful for, and I try to develop my ability to express compassion for myself and others without reservation. I take time to do the things I need to do to keep myself healthy and happy. This includes taking experiential workshops, fostering relationships, and participating within groups which have a similar interest to become a more compassionate and fulfilled being.“
–Peter
“Self-forgiveness for my own judgments. And oh yeah, coming to Esalen.”
–David B.
“Hmm, this is a tough one! I guess I take care of my heart through fostering relationships with people I feel connected to. Spending quality time with them (whether we're on the phone, through messages/letters, on Zoom, or in-person). Being there for them, listening to them, sharing what's going on with me, my struggles and my successes... like we do in the Esalen weekly Friends of Esalen Zoom sessions!”
–Lori
“I remind myself in many ways of the fact that " Love is all there is!" LOVE is the prize and this one precious life is the stage we get to learn our lessons. I get out into nature, hike, camp, river kayak, fly fish, garden, I create, I dance (not enough!), and I remain grateful for each day, each breath, each moment. Being in the moment, awake, and remembering the gift of life and my feeling of gratitude for all of creation.”
–Steven
“My physical heart by limiting stress and eating a heart-healthy diet. My emotional heart by staying in love with the world and by knowing that all disappointment and loss will pass.“
–David Z.
Today, September 29, is World Heart Day. Strike up a conversation with your own heart and as you feel comfortable, encourage others to do the same. As part of our own transformations and self-care, we sometimes ask for others to illuminate and enliven our hearts or speak our love language.
What if we could do this for ourselves too, even if just for today… or to start a heart practice, forever?
Esalen Institute
55000 Highway 1
Big Sur, CA 93920
US: 1-831-667-3000
info@esalen.org
