As the year comes to a close, we pause to express gratitude for the connections, learnings, and transformations that shape our shared journey.
Gratitude is a practice. It is a way of seeing ourselves, one another, and the land we are privileged to experience upon. Each breath of Pacific ocean air, each Gestalt-inspired Esalen check-in circle, every soak in the baths or walk through the Garden reminds us of the abundance and interconnection that give vitality to this sacred place.
We are grateful for our co-stewards and collaborators who help hold Esalen’s mission and spirit. We are deeply thankful for the ongoing work of relationship, listening, and reconciliation with the Esselen Tribe of Monterey County, whose ancestors first cared for this land. We walk humbly in that lineage, with a continued commitment to honoring their presence and partnership.
In that spirit, we invited a few of our Esalen faculty to share the gratitude practices that help them stay centered, open, and connected — and to reflect on what they’re most thankful for right now.
“Gratitude comes easily now, in this chapter of life where time feels like my own — though it took decades of striving to understand what truly matters. I’m grateful to be intentional with how I spend my days. Part of my practice is to offer gratitude freely: in each moment that deserves it, and to every person whose path crosses mine.” — Bill Donius
“Esalen has been an anchor in the movement of my life — a place that continually brings me home to myself. My gratitude practice is simple: to pause, to breathe in rhythm with what is around me, and to listen. Whether leading a retreat, cooking with my daughters, hula hooping on the big lawn, or sitting in early morning quiet, I return to this awareness — that I am part of something vast, alive, and generous.” — Janet Stone
“Right now, I’m grateful for the fruits of the trees I planted — both literally and metaphorically. I spent a lot of time intentionally building this life, and to see it blossoming feels amazing. Every day, I find myself saying aloud, “I am so grateful for this moment.” That simple expression is part of my practice. The other part is sharing what I see as love — especially through food. I feed people every chance I get, and I listen and witness. I let them know how grateful I am to share space with them.” — Darnell Lamont Walker
“I feel deeply grateful for community. The ripples of gratitude live in those small, everyday acts of support — the way we check in, the genuine moments of presence where both people feel seen and heard. I’m grateful for those moments of honesty and connection; they remind me that even the smallest gestures of care can carry extraordinary weight.” — Cara Chandler
“The Good Morning, I Love You practice was first truly born in me at Esalen, in that sacred meeting of ocean, sky, and soul. It was there that I experienced what it means to come home to myself with tenderness — to awaken each morning not into striving, but into love. Esalen offered the conditions of safety, curiosity, and deep presence that allowed this simple yet radical practice to take root in my heart. What began as a personal act of self-kindness has become a collective movement of awakening, a reminder that love is both our birthright and our practice. Each morning, as I say Good morning, I love you, I also add Thank you. I let my heart fill with gratitude and silently send blessings to the people I am thankful for — friends, family, teachers. This gentle practice of love and appreciation continues to teach me that awakening is not a solitary act but a shared journey, rippling outward in ever-widening circles of gratitude and grace.” — Shauna Shapiro
“I am grateful for our community of dancers who, together, hold what is too big to be held alone. There is an overwhelming amount of grief in our collective field right now. Through dance and rituals of healing, we move this energy — riding the currents of sorrow until they empty. On the other side, we find the dances of courage, forgiveness, compassion, and connection.” — Lucia Horan
“I am forever grateful to Esalen — for the people, the beauty, and the transformations it has made possible in my life.” — Dorothy Charles
“One of my main practices and heart rituals is writing love notes of gratitude to the people I love + telling them, too.” — Sianna Sherman
“I’m deeply grateful for the way Esalen continues to awaken truth, healing, and connection. Gratitude, for me, is a living rhythm, a daily breath of remembrance and devotion to life itself.” — Masood Ali Khan
“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?
Lead Photo: Paris Rizouli. Illustrations: Julia Gomelsky.
As the year comes to a close, we pause to express gratitude for the connections, learnings, and transformations that shape our shared journey.
Gratitude is a practice. It is a way of seeing ourselves, one another, and the land we are privileged to experience upon. Each breath of Pacific ocean air, each Gestalt-inspired Esalen check-in circle, every soak in the baths or walk through the Garden reminds us of the abundance and interconnection that give vitality to this sacred place.
We are grateful for our co-stewards and collaborators who help hold Esalen’s mission and spirit. We are deeply thankful for the ongoing work of relationship, listening, and reconciliation with the Esselen Tribe of Monterey County, whose ancestors first cared for this land. We walk humbly in that lineage, with a continued commitment to honoring their presence and partnership.
In that spirit, we invited a few of our Esalen faculty to share the gratitude practices that help them stay centered, open, and connected — and to reflect on what they’re most thankful for right now.
“Gratitude comes easily now, in this chapter of life where time feels like my own — though it took decades of striving to understand what truly matters. I’m grateful to be intentional with how I spend my days. Part of my practice is to offer gratitude freely: in each moment that deserves it, and to every person whose path crosses mine.” — Bill Donius
“Esalen has been an anchor in the movement of my life — a place that continually brings me home to myself. My gratitude practice is simple: to pause, to breathe in rhythm with what is around me, and to listen. Whether leading a retreat, cooking with my daughters, hula hooping on the big lawn, or sitting in early morning quiet, I return to this awareness — that I am part of something vast, alive, and generous.” — Janet Stone
“Right now, I’m grateful for the fruits of the trees I planted — both literally and metaphorically. I spent a lot of time intentionally building this life, and to see it blossoming feels amazing. Every day, I find myself saying aloud, “I am so grateful for this moment.” That simple expression is part of my practice. The other part is sharing what I see as love — especially through food. I feed people every chance I get, and I listen and witness. I let them know how grateful I am to share space with them.” — Darnell Lamont Walker
“I feel deeply grateful for community. The ripples of gratitude live in those small, everyday acts of support — the way we check in, the genuine moments of presence where both people feel seen and heard. I’m grateful for those moments of honesty and connection; they remind me that even the smallest gestures of care can carry extraordinary weight.” — Cara Chandler
“The Good Morning, I Love You practice was first truly born in me at Esalen, in that sacred meeting of ocean, sky, and soul. It was there that I experienced what it means to come home to myself with tenderness — to awaken each morning not into striving, but into love. Esalen offered the conditions of safety, curiosity, and deep presence that allowed this simple yet radical practice to take root in my heart. What began as a personal act of self-kindness has become a collective movement of awakening, a reminder that love is both our birthright and our practice. Each morning, as I say Good morning, I love you, I also add Thank you. I let my heart fill with gratitude and silently send blessings to the people I am thankful for — friends, family, teachers. This gentle practice of love and appreciation continues to teach me that awakening is not a solitary act but a shared journey, rippling outward in ever-widening circles of gratitude and grace.” — Shauna Shapiro
“I am grateful for our community of dancers who, together, hold what is too big to be held alone. There is an overwhelming amount of grief in our collective field right now. Through dance and rituals of healing, we move this energy — riding the currents of sorrow until they empty. On the other side, we find the dances of courage, forgiveness, compassion, and connection.” — Lucia Horan
“I am forever grateful to Esalen — for the people, the beauty, and the transformations it has made possible in my life.” — Dorothy Charles
“One of my main practices and heart rituals is writing love notes of gratitude to the people I love + telling them, too.” — Sianna Sherman
“I’m deeply grateful for the way Esalen continues to awaken truth, healing, and connection. Gratitude, for me, is a living rhythm, a daily breath of remembrance and devotion to life itself.” — Masood Ali Khan
Lead Photo: Paris Rizouli. Illustrations: Julia Gomelsky.
“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?
As the year comes to a close, we pause to express gratitude for the connections, learnings, and transformations that shape our shared journey.
Gratitude is a practice. It is a way of seeing ourselves, one another, and the land we are privileged to experience upon. Each breath of Pacific ocean air, each Gestalt-inspired Esalen check-in circle, every soak in the baths or walk through the Garden reminds us of the abundance and interconnection that give vitality to this sacred place.
We are grateful for our co-stewards and collaborators who help hold Esalen’s mission and spirit. We are deeply thankful for the ongoing work of relationship, listening, and reconciliation with the Esselen Tribe of Monterey County, whose ancestors first cared for this land. We walk humbly in that lineage, with a continued commitment to honoring their presence and partnership.
In that spirit, we invited a few of our Esalen faculty to share the gratitude practices that help them stay centered, open, and connected — and to reflect on what they’re most thankful for right now.
“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
