What if difference is not a deficit, but actually a portal? What if quirks aren’t problems that need fixing, but pathways into creativity, insight, and resilience?
Conversations around neurodivergence, inclusive of ADHD, autism, dyslexia, and other ways of experiencing the world, present us with different perspectives for rethinking what it means to be human.
From October 3–5, 2025, You Are Not Your Fault: Meeting ADHD with Mindfulness, Wisdom, and Compassion, led by mindfulness teacher and author Mark Coleman, has seekers exploring practical tools to navigate the challenges of ADHD while also cultivating its powers of curiosity, creativity, and presence. “With mindfulness and compassion, we can meet our struggles with greater kindness, and discover the gifts that lie within our challenges,” Mark writes.
Esalen’s mission and vision embrace the reality that each of us carries extraordinary capacities waiting to be midwifed. As Abraham Maslow once observed, “The story of the human race is the story of men and women selling themselves short.” Those with neurodivergent brains remind us that hidden resources often lie just beyond conventional definitions of “normal.”
When Esalen co-founder Michael Murphy returned from his time at Sri Aurobindo’s ashram in the 1950s, he envisioned a place where the mysteries of human consciousness could be embraced and cultivated — where what he called our “latent supernature” might emerge: “We are just beginning to discover what human beings are capable of. Evolution is not finished with us.” As author, scholar, and Esalen board member Jeff Kripal later phrased it, “Human beings are unfinished animals. Our biology is not our destiny; it is our beginning.”
Neurodivergence both challenges and expands our understanding of the human mind. In celebrating difference, we uncover new forms of intelligence, new ways of belonging, and new possibilities for growth. These variations are not flaws in the design but opportunities to recognize that the design itself is still unfolding, and that evolution is alive, shaping us from within.
“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?
Photo: Angie Smith
What if difference is not a deficit, but actually a portal? What if quirks aren’t problems that need fixing, but pathways into creativity, insight, and resilience?
Conversations around neurodivergence, inclusive of ADHD, autism, dyslexia, and other ways of experiencing the world, present us with different perspectives for rethinking what it means to be human.
From October 3–5, 2025, You Are Not Your Fault: Meeting ADHD with Mindfulness, Wisdom, and Compassion, led by mindfulness teacher and author Mark Coleman, has seekers exploring practical tools to navigate the challenges of ADHD while also cultivating its powers of curiosity, creativity, and presence. “With mindfulness and compassion, we can meet our struggles with greater kindness, and discover the gifts that lie within our challenges,” Mark writes.
Esalen’s mission and vision embrace the reality that each of us carries extraordinary capacities waiting to be midwifed. As Abraham Maslow once observed, “The story of the human race is the story of men and women selling themselves short.” Those with neurodivergent brains remind us that hidden resources often lie just beyond conventional definitions of “normal.”
When Esalen co-founder Michael Murphy returned from his time at Sri Aurobindo’s ashram in the 1950s, he envisioned a place where the mysteries of human consciousness could be embraced and cultivated — where what he called our “latent supernature” might emerge: “We are just beginning to discover what human beings are capable of. Evolution is not finished with us.” As author, scholar, and Esalen board member Jeff Kripal later phrased it, “Human beings are unfinished animals. Our biology is not our destiny; it is our beginning.”
Neurodivergence both challenges and expands our understanding of the human mind. In celebrating difference, we uncover new forms of intelligence, new ways of belonging, and new possibilities for growth. These variations are not flaws in the design but opportunities to recognize that the design itself is still unfolding, and that evolution is alive, shaping us from within.
Photo: Angie Smith
“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?
What if difference is not a deficit, but actually a portal? What if quirks aren’t problems that need fixing, but pathways into creativity, insight, and resilience?
Conversations around neurodivergence, inclusive of ADHD, autism, dyslexia, and other ways of experiencing the world, present us with different perspectives for rethinking what it means to be human.
From October 3–5, 2025, You Are Not Your Fault: Meeting ADHD with Mindfulness, Wisdom, and Compassion, led by mindfulness teacher and author Mark Coleman, has seekers exploring practical tools to navigate the challenges of ADHD while also cultivating its powers of curiosity, creativity, and presence. “With mindfulness and compassion, we can meet our struggles with greater kindness, and discover the gifts that lie within our challenges,” Mark writes.
Esalen’s mission and vision embrace the reality that each of us carries extraordinary capacities waiting to be midwifed. As Abraham Maslow once observed, “The story of the human race is the story of men and women selling themselves short.” Those with neurodivergent brains remind us that hidden resources often lie just beyond conventional definitions of “normal.”
When Esalen co-founder Michael Murphy returned from his time at Sri Aurobindo’s ashram in the 1950s, he envisioned a place where the mysteries of human consciousness could be embraced and cultivated — where what he called our “latent supernature” might emerge: “We are just beginning to discover what human beings are capable of. Evolution is not finished with us.” As author, scholar, and Esalen board member Jeff Kripal later phrased it, “Human beings are unfinished animals. Our biology is not our destiny; it is our beginning.”
Neurodivergence both challenges and expands our understanding of the human mind. In celebrating difference, we uncover new forms of intelligence, new ways of belonging, and new possibilities for growth. These variations are not flaws in the design but opportunities to recognize that the design itself is still unfolding, and that evolution is alive, shaping us from within.
“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
