When you think of a weekend or week-long retreat, you likely picture a quiet room to yourself, a view of the ocean, and long hours of solitude. And yes, we offer that. But sometimes the real magic at Esalen happens when you open your door and your heart to someone new. Shared accommodations offer a unique chance to stretch, connect, and grow. Here’s why choosing to room with a random, unknown bunkmate might be one of the best decisions you make when registering for your workshop.
Shared accommodations are a more affordable way to experience your workshop and our campus features. With a lower rate, you can invest those savings in future workshops, an Esalen massage, or books and swag from the Esalen Bookstore that can help integrate your inner journey long after you’ve left Big Sur
Esalen is all about connection. Shared housing offers a built-in opportunity to meet people on their own healing path — folks you may not have crossed paths with otherwise. We’ve seen countless friendships and collaborations spark over bunk beds and shared sunrises.
There’s something uniquely intimate about those late-night chats with someone who began the week as a stranger. Whether you’re sharing reflections from your workshop or discussing what a star-filled sky means to you, these spontaneous moments often offer insight, comfort, or laughter just when you need it most.
Being in a shared space asks you to bring your whole self with honesty and curiosity. It invites you to show up as you are and to witness others doing the same. In a world that often encourages performance and perfection, this kind of raw, real presence can be profoundly healing.
Will your roommate snore? Maybe/Probably. Will they organize their clothes differently than you? It’s highly likely. Shared accommodations ask us to surrender control and move with grace through small discomforts — a perfect metaphor for spiritual growth.
Esalen was founded on communal living and collective experimentation. Sharing space honors that lineage. It’s a return to the roots of what makes this place so special: people coming together to learn, grow, and imagine new ways of being in the world together.
Join us for a workshop or Self-Guided Exploration.
“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?
When you think of a weekend or week-long retreat, you likely picture a quiet room to yourself, a view of the ocean, and long hours of solitude. And yes, we offer that. But sometimes the real magic at Esalen happens when you open your door and your heart to someone new. Shared accommodations offer a unique chance to stretch, connect, and grow. Here’s why choosing to room with a random, unknown bunkmate might be one of the best decisions you make when registering for your workshop.
Shared accommodations are a more affordable way to experience your workshop and our campus features. With a lower rate, you can invest those savings in future workshops, an Esalen massage, or books and swag from the Esalen Bookstore that can help integrate your inner journey long after you’ve left Big Sur
Esalen is all about connection. Shared housing offers a built-in opportunity to meet people on their own healing path — folks you may not have crossed paths with otherwise. We’ve seen countless friendships and collaborations spark over bunk beds and shared sunrises.
There’s something uniquely intimate about those late-night chats with someone who began the week as a stranger. Whether you’re sharing reflections from your workshop or discussing what a star-filled sky means to you, these spontaneous moments often offer insight, comfort, or laughter just when you need it most.
Being in a shared space asks you to bring your whole self with honesty and curiosity. It invites you to show up as you are and to witness others doing the same. In a world that often encourages performance and perfection, this kind of raw, real presence can be profoundly healing.
Will your roommate snore? Maybe/Probably. Will they organize their clothes differently than you? It’s highly likely. Shared accommodations ask us to surrender control and move with grace through small discomforts — a perfect metaphor for spiritual growth.
Esalen was founded on communal living and collective experimentation. Sharing space honors that lineage. It’s a return to the roots of what makes this place so special: people coming together to learn, grow, and imagine new ways of being in the world together.
Join us for a workshop or Self-Guided Exploration.
“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?
When you think of a weekend or week-long retreat, you likely picture a quiet room to yourself, a view of the ocean, and long hours of solitude. And yes, we offer that. But sometimes the real magic at Esalen happens when you open your door and your heart to someone new. Shared accommodations offer a unique chance to stretch, connect, and grow. Here’s why choosing to room with a random, unknown bunkmate might be one of the best decisions you make when registering for your workshop.
Shared accommodations are a more affordable way to experience your workshop and our campus features. With a lower rate, you can invest those savings in future workshops, an Esalen massage, or books and swag from the Esalen Bookstore that can help integrate your inner journey long after you’ve left Big Sur
Esalen is all about connection. Shared housing offers a built-in opportunity to meet people on their own healing path — folks you may not have crossed paths with otherwise. We’ve seen countless friendships and collaborations spark over bunk beds and shared sunrises.
There’s something uniquely intimate about those late-night chats with someone who began the week as a stranger. Whether you’re sharing reflections from your workshop or discussing what a star-filled sky means to you, these spontaneous moments often offer insight, comfort, or laughter just when you need it most.
Being in a shared space asks you to bring your whole self with honesty and curiosity. It invites you to show up as you are and to witness others doing the same. In a world that often encourages performance and perfection, this kind of raw, real presence can be profoundly healing.
Will your roommate snore? Maybe/Probably. Will they organize their clothes differently than you? It’s highly likely. Shared accommodations ask us to surrender control and move with grace through small discomforts — a perfect metaphor for spiritual growth.
Esalen was founded on communal living and collective experimentation. Sharing space honors that lineage. It’s a return to the roots of what makes this place so special: people coming together to learn, grow, and imagine new ways of being in the world together.
Join us for a workshop or Self-Guided Exploration.
“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
