In June 2017, Esalen found itself physically isolated from the larger world. Significant landslides along Highway One in Big Sur had cut off access to the Institute from both the north and south. A small team remained on campus to care for the land, but access remained blocked to faculty and workshop participants.
Yet from this separation, and in spite of it, Esalen’s larger community stepped in through generous philanthropic support — support which now has contributed to a renewed scholarship program.
“My hope in our expanding Esalen’s scholarship program, especially with a focus on supporting diversity, is that we make it more possible for all kinds of people to experience the depth of inner and outer work through Esalen workshops,” says Director of Programs Cheryl Fraenzl. For this year, Esalen has more than $60,000 in scholarships to award to candidates who meet financial and mission-aligned requirements.
One key change in Esalen’s scholarship program is that all public weekend and five-day workshops are eligible for scholarship consideration. While additional consideration will be given to candidates who express a desire to share their Esalen experience as part of work with a larger community, it is not necessary for a scholarship recipient to be enrolled in a social change-focused workshop. Any eligible candidate must be at least 18 years old and submit their online application no later than 90 days prior to the start of the requested workshop.
One focus that has not changed, and remains a major priority for the scholarship committee that has been created to review potential candidates, is the desire to ensure an inclusive and diverse learning community at Esalen.
“Being a relatively intimate campus to begin with, it is our responsibility to ensure that we make space for all people and eliminate as many barriers to participation as possible,” adds Cheryl. “The workshops are generally always enriched when multiple perspectives are present and share from their experience. True societal transformation can not happen if it is only happening with one segment of the population. Transforming our culture requires participation of everyone.”
Last year, a portion of Esalen scholarship was awarded to The WellBeing Project to support a cohort of social change makers to Esalen this fall. Scholarship awards range from 25 percent to up to 90 percent of the cost of tuition and accommodations.
Learn more about our online application.
Learn how you can support scholarships at Esalen.
“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?
In June 2017, Esalen found itself physically isolated from the larger world. Significant landslides along Highway One in Big Sur had cut off access to the Institute from both the north and south. A small team remained on campus to care for the land, but access remained blocked to faculty and workshop participants.
Yet from this separation, and in spite of it, Esalen’s larger community stepped in through generous philanthropic support — support which now has contributed to a renewed scholarship program.
“My hope in our expanding Esalen’s scholarship program, especially with a focus on supporting diversity, is that we make it more possible for all kinds of people to experience the depth of inner and outer work through Esalen workshops,” says Director of Programs Cheryl Fraenzl. For this year, Esalen has more than $60,000 in scholarships to award to candidates who meet financial and mission-aligned requirements.
One key change in Esalen’s scholarship program is that all public weekend and five-day workshops are eligible for scholarship consideration. While additional consideration will be given to candidates who express a desire to share their Esalen experience as part of work with a larger community, it is not necessary for a scholarship recipient to be enrolled in a social change-focused workshop. Any eligible candidate must be at least 18 years old and submit their online application no later than 90 days prior to the start of the requested workshop.
One focus that has not changed, and remains a major priority for the scholarship committee that has been created to review potential candidates, is the desire to ensure an inclusive and diverse learning community at Esalen.
“Being a relatively intimate campus to begin with, it is our responsibility to ensure that we make space for all people and eliminate as many barriers to participation as possible,” adds Cheryl. “The workshops are generally always enriched when multiple perspectives are present and share from their experience. True societal transformation can not happen if it is only happening with one segment of the population. Transforming our culture requires participation of everyone.”
Last year, a portion of Esalen scholarship was awarded to The WellBeing Project to support a cohort of social change makers to Esalen this fall. Scholarship awards range from 25 percent to up to 90 percent of the cost of tuition and accommodations.
Learn more about our online application.
Learn how you can support scholarships at Esalen.
“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?
In June 2017, Esalen found itself physically isolated from the larger world. Significant landslides along Highway One in Big Sur had cut off access to the Institute from both the north and south. A small team remained on campus to care for the land, but access remained blocked to faculty and workshop participants.
Yet from this separation, and in spite of it, Esalen’s larger community stepped in through generous philanthropic support — support which now has contributed to a renewed scholarship program.
“My hope in our expanding Esalen’s scholarship program, especially with a focus on supporting diversity, is that we make it more possible for all kinds of people to experience the depth of inner and outer work through Esalen workshops,” says Director of Programs Cheryl Fraenzl. For this year, Esalen has more than $60,000 in scholarships to award to candidates who meet financial and mission-aligned requirements.
One key change in Esalen’s scholarship program is that all public weekend and five-day workshops are eligible for scholarship consideration. While additional consideration will be given to candidates who express a desire to share their Esalen experience as part of work with a larger community, it is not necessary for a scholarship recipient to be enrolled in a social change-focused workshop. Any eligible candidate must be at least 18 years old and submit their online application no later than 90 days prior to the start of the requested workshop.
One focus that has not changed, and remains a major priority for the scholarship committee that has been created to review potential candidates, is the desire to ensure an inclusive and diverse learning community at Esalen.
“Being a relatively intimate campus to begin with, it is our responsibility to ensure that we make space for all people and eliminate as many barriers to participation as possible,” adds Cheryl. “The workshops are generally always enriched when multiple perspectives are present and share from their experience. True societal transformation can not happen if it is only happening with one segment of the population. Transforming our culture requires participation of everyone.”
Last year, a portion of Esalen scholarship was awarded to The WellBeing Project to support a cohort of social change makers to Esalen this fall. Scholarship awards range from 25 percent to up to 90 percent of the cost of tuition and accommodations.
Learn more about our online application.
Learn how you can support scholarships at Esalen.
“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