Tensions between the United States and Russia are running high. The current political landscape, government investigations, economic sanctions, and media portrayals of both countries keep U.S.-Russia relations divisive. Continuing Esalen’s long tradition of creating new dialogue where walls once stood, the Institute is taking an active role to initiate and strengthen a more positive cultural exchange between Russia and the U.S.
TRACK TWO: An Institute for Citizen Diplomacy is a nonprofit institute for citizen diplomacy created at Esalen by Dulce and Michael Murphy at the height of the Cold War. Then called the Esalen Soviet-American Exchange Program, it sponsored dozens of initiatives for cultural exchange and understanding between Soviet and American citizens, culminating in Boris Yeltsin’s groundbreaking visit to the U.S. Today, TRACK TWO is building on this strong foundation by focusing on constructive engagement between the two countries and exploring new opportunities to address global challenges with programs focused on the Middle East and on China.
After fruitful trips to Russia in 2015 and 2016, Esalen and TRACK TWO are preparing to return to Russia in September 2017 to plan for a large conference next May in Saint Petersburg.
This event will focus on the perspectives of youth from both countries on a number of topics relevant to global discourse. “We are passionately committed to broadening and evolving our citizen diplomacy as a model for what is possible when dialogue is encouraged,” says Dulce Murphy. “The goal of our upcoming conference is to establish programs that can further promote improvement in the Russian-American partnership and move our two countries toward a more peaceful co-existence.”
In April, TRACK TWO and Esalen hosted a conference in New York City to identify topics for the Saint Petersburg gathering. Participants included Russian and American writers, political commentators, mediators, filmmakers, and educators, among others.
The conversation addressed possible conference topics such as:
According to Murphy, TRACK TWO and Esalen will: “curate a panel discussion by Russian and U.S. PhD students who have studied each other’s respective countries. Another panel might involve high school students involved in recent marches in both countries. A third component would involve local art and a cross-cultural performance.”
The upcoming conference participants seek to ask: What do we have in common? What are we concerned about? How can we expand, open, and embrace new dialogue and interactions? Esalen is uniquely positioned to leverage its relational approach to address this and other challenging issues of our time. And while the Institute remained closed temporarily due to slides and road closures, initiatives like TRACK TWO kept Esalen connected to the global community.
Learn more about TRACK TWO and Esalen’s Center for Theory & Research.
“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?
Tensions between the United States and Russia are running high. The current political landscape, government investigations, economic sanctions, and media portrayals of both countries keep U.S.-Russia relations divisive. Continuing Esalen’s long tradition of creating new dialogue where walls once stood, the Institute is taking an active role to initiate and strengthen a more positive cultural exchange between Russia and the U.S.
TRACK TWO: An Institute for Citizen Diplomacy is a nonprofit institute for citizen diplomacy created at Esalen by Dulce and Michael Murphy at the height of the Cold War. Then called the Esalen Soviet-American Exchange Program, it sponsored dozens of initiatives for cultural exchange and understanding between Soviet and American citizens, culminating in Boris Yeltsin’s groundbreaking visit to the U.S. Today, TRACK TWO is building on this strong foundation by focusing on constructive engagement between the two countries and exploring new opportunities to address global challenges with programs focused on the Middle East and on China.
After fruitful trips to Russia in 2015 and 2016, Esalen and TRACK TWO are preparing to return to Russia in September 2017 to plan for a large conference next May in Saint Petersburg.
This event will focus on the perspectives of youth from both countries on a number of topics relevant to global discourse. “We are passionately committed to broadening and evolving our citizen diplomacy as a model for what is possible when dialogue is encouraged,” says Dulce Murphy. “The goal of our upcoming conference is to establish programs that can further promote improvement in the Russian-American partnership and move our two countries toward a more peaceful co-existence.”
In April, TRACK TWO and Esalen hosted a conference in New York City to identify topics for the Saint Petersburg gathering. Participants included Russian and American writers, political commentators, mediators, filmmakers, and educators, among others.
The conversation addressed possible conference topics such as:
According to Murphy, TRACK TWO and Esalen will: “curate a panel discussion by Russian and U.S. PhD students who have studied each other’s respective countries. Another panel might involve high school students involved in recent marches in both countries. A third component would involve local art and a cross-cultural performance.”
The upcoming conference participants seek to ask: What do we have in common? What are we concerned about? How can we expand, open, and embrace new dialogue and interactions? Esalen is uniquely positioned to leverage its relational approach to address this and other challenging issues of our time. And while the Institute remained closed temporarily due to slides and road closures, initiatives like TRACK TWO kept Esalen connected to the global community.
Learn more about TRACK TWO and Esalen’s Center for Theory & Research.
“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?
Tensions between the United States and Russia are running high. The current political landscape, government investigations, economic sanctions, and media portrayals of both countries keep U.S.-Russia relations divisive. Continuing Esalen’s long tradition of creating new dialogue where walls once stood, the Institute is taking an active role to initiate and strengthen a more positive cultural exchange between Russia and the U.S.
TRACK TWO: An Institute for Citizen Diplomacy is a nonprofit institute for citizen diplomacy created at Esalen by Dulce and Michael Murphy at the height of the Cold War. Then called the Esalen Soviet-American Exchange Program, it sponsored dozens of initiatives for cultural exchange and understanding between Soviet and American citizens, culminating in Boris Yeltsin’s groundbreaking visit to the U.S. Today, TRACK TWO is building on this strong foundation by focusing on constructive engagement between the two countries and exploring new opportunities to address global challenges with programs focused on the Middle East and on China.
After fruitful trips to Russia in 2015 and 2016, Esalen and TRACK TWO are preparing to return to Russia in September 2017 to plan for a large conference next May in Saint Petersburg.
This event will focus on the perspectives of youth from both countries on a number of topics relevant to global discourse. “We are passionately committed to broadening and evolving our citizen diplomacy as a model for what is possible when dialogue is encouraged,” says Dulce Murphy. “The goal of our upcoming conference is to establish programs that can further promote improvement in the Russian-American partnership and move our two countries toward a more peaceful co-existence.”
In April, TRACK TWO and Esalen hosted a conference in New York City to identify topics for the Saint Petersburg gathering. Participants included Russian and American writers, political commentators, mediators, filmmakers, and educators, among others.
The conversation addressed possible conference topics such as:
According to Murphy, TRACK TWO and Esalen will: “curate a panel discussion by Russian and U.S. PhD students who have studied each other’s respective countries. Another panel might involve high school students involved in recent marches in both countries. A third component would involve local art and a cross-cultural performance.”
The upcoming conference participants seek to ask: What do we have in common? What are we concerned about? How can we expand, open, and embrace new dialogue and interactions? Esalen is uniquely positioned to leverage its relational approach to address this and other challenging issues of our time. And while the Institute remained closed temporarily due to slides and road closures, initiatives like TRACK TWO kept Esalen connected to the global community.
Learn more about TRACK TWO and Esalen’s Center for Theory & Research.
“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?
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info@esalen.org