There’s a rhythm here that can’t be scheduled, a pulse you feel with the symphonic crash of the Pacific, in the warmth of the sun on the lawn, tucked away with the quiet of the Garden. Many seekers arrive ready to follow a workshop schedule, but for some seeking more spaciousness and freedom, there are profound moments that unfold when opting to follow your own path of curiosity.
My first time experiencing a Self-Guided Exploration began with my arrival late Friday afternoon. I slowly rolled down the hill, pausing to check in at the gate. After parking it was that first inhale of the cool salt air, the stretch after a long drive, and the view — jagged cliffs that meet the endless blues and grays of the sea and sky. No rush, no timetable — just space. I like to wander first to the baths, stripping down literally and figuratively for that first shock of warmth and surrendering as it envelops me. The ocean stretches infinitely before my gaze with each ripple and wave a reminder to slow down, to notice.
Taking that time to be on the land at my own pace feels like a generous gift, but one we are all deserving of individually and collectively. I let the beauty of the seemingly always blossoming garden guide my path, nudging me toward rainbow chard beaming in the sunlight and following the scent of lavender as it hangs in the air. I always pause to sit on a quiet bench, journal or book in hand, allowing all that surfaces to trickle and then pour out while listening to the rhythm of the surf, feeling the steadiness of my heartbeat syncing up.
For someone like myself who tries to do everything, Self-Guided Explorations is my easiest opportunity to ditch a plan and To Do List. Rather than trying to do and see everything, I do what I feel in the moment is what I need or want most. Each step along the tufted grasses of the lawn, each pause in what seems like a secret nook only I have discovered, each dip in the hot springs becomes a reflection of what I carry, what I long for, what I can let go of. In that solitude, I can clearly recognize how growth, reflection, and insight can happen quietly, without instruction.
There’s magic in this choice of independence. The same grassy, dirt, paved and unpaved paths that inspired generations of thinkers, healers, and seekers are open for me to leave my own mark. With my little notebook, I am free to sketch, journal, meditate, or simply breathe. I can feel that reality that I, just as much as anyone before or after my stay, is contributing to the living story of Esalen, with each and every self-guided journey a thread in that tapestry.
Evenings here hold their own transcending moments. I love to linger in the Lodge, sipping tea or a biodynamic wine, sharing a smile or a conversation with another seeker who is enjoying their own corner at the edge of the world. To witness the sun set over the ocean, watching the sky explode with rose and tangerine hues as the day dissolves into evening. Here, the pace is totally my own, the discoveries uniquely captured by me, while the very lived experience profoundly shared with others, with the land, the incredible history, and the spirit all that energy swirling long before my arrival and long after my departure.
For those who long to step off the schedule, to follow the whispers of curiosity rather than the looming hands of the clock, Esalen offers a self-guided journey unlike any other. There is much to unfold and unravel when you let Mother Nature lead you.
“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?
Check out the remaining available spots for Self Guided Explorations through December!
Shira Levine is the Director of Communications & Storytelling at the Esalen Institute.
There’s a rhythm here that can’t be scheduled, a pulse you feel with the symphonic crash of the Pacific, in the warmth of the sun on the lawn, tucked away with the quiet of the Garden. Many seekers arrive ready to follow a workshop schedule, but for some seeking more spaciousness and freedom, there are profound moments that unfold when opting to follow your own path of curiosity.
My first time experiencing a Self-Guided Exploration began with my arrival late Friday afternoon. I slowly rolled down the hill, pausing to check in at the gate. After parking it was that first inhale of the cool salt air, the stretch after a long drive, and the view — jagged cliffs that meet the endless blues and grays of the sea and sky. No rush, no timetable — just space. I like to wander first to the baths, stripping down literally and figuratively for that first shock of warmth and surrendering as it envelops me. The ocean stretches infinitely before my gaze with each ripple and wave a reminder to slow down, to notice.
Taking that time to be on the land at my own pace feels like a generous gift, but one we are all deserving of individually and collectively. I let the beauty of the seemingly always blossoming garden guide my path, nudging me toward rainbow chard beaming in the sunlight and following the scent of lavender as it hangs in the air. I always pause to sit on a quiet bench, journal or book in hand, allowing all that surfaces to trickle and then pour out while listening to the rhythm of the surf, feeling the steadiness of my heartbeat syncing up.
For someone like myself who tries to do everything, Self-Guided Explorations is my easiest opportunity to ditch a plan and To Do List. Rather than trying to do and see everything, I do what I feel in the moment is what I need or want most. Each step along the tufted grasses of the lawn, each pause in what seems like a secret nook only I have discovered, each dip in the hot springs becomes a reflection of what I carry, what I long for, what I can let go of. In that solitude, I can clearly recognize how growth, reflection, and insight can happen quietly, without instruction.
There’s magic in this choice of independence. The same grassy, dirt, paved and unpaved paths that inspired generations of thinkers, healers, and seekers are open for me to leave my own mark. With my little notebook, I am free to sketch, journal, meditate, or simply breathe. I can feel that reality that I, just as much as anyone before or after my stay, is contributing to the living story of Esalen, with each and every self-guided journey a thread in that tapestry.
Evenings here hold their own transcending moments. I love to linger in the Lodge, sipping tea or a biodynamic wine, sharing a smile or a conversation with another seeker who is enjoying their own corner at the edge of the world. To witness the sun set over the ocean, watching the sky explode with rose and tangerine hues as the day dissolves into evening. Here, the pace is totally my own, the discoveries uniquely captured by me, while the very lived experience profoundly shared with others, with the land, the incredible history, and the spirit all that energy swirling long before my arrival and long after my departure.
For those who long to step off the schedule, to follow the whispers of curiosity rather than the looming hands of the clock, Esalen offers a self-guided journey unlike any other. There is much to unfold and unravel when you let Mother Nature lead you.
“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?
Check out the remaining available spots for Self Guided Explorations through December!
Shira Levine is the Director of Communications & Storytelling at the Esalen Institute.
There’s a rhythm here that can’t be scheduled, a pulse you feel with the symphonic crash of the Pacific, in the warmth of the sun on the lawn, tucked away with the quiet of the Garden. Many seekers arrive ready to follow a workshop schedule, but for some seeking more spaciousness and freedom, there are profound moments that unfold when opting to follow your own path of curiosity.
My first time experiencing a Self-Guided Exploration began with my arrival late Friday afternoon. I slowly rolled down the hill, pausing to check in at the gate. After parking it was that first inhale of the cool salt air, the stretch after a long drive, and the view — jagged cliffs that meet the endless blues and grays of the sea and sky. No rush, no timetable — just space. I like to wander first to the baths, stripping down literally and figuratively for that first shock of warmth and surrendering as it envelops me. The ocean stretches infinitely before my gaze with each ripple and wave a reminder to slow down, to notice.
Taking that time to be on the land at my own pace feels like a generous gift, but one we are all deserving of individually and collectively. I let the beauty of the seemingly always blossoming garden guide my path, nudging me toward rainbow chard beaming in the sunlight and following the scent of lavender as it hangs in the air. I always pause to sit on a quiet bench, journal or book in hand, allowing all that surfaces to trickle and then pour out while listening to the rhythm of the surf, feeling the steadiness of my heartbeat syncing up.
For someone like myself who tries to do everything, Self-Guided Explorations is my easiest opportunity to ditch a plan and To Do List. Rather than trying to do and see everything, I do what I feel in the moment is what I need or want most. Each step along the tufted grasses of the lawn, each pause in what seems like a secret nook only I have discovered, each dip in the hot springs becomes a reflection of what I carry, what I long for, what I can let go of. In that solitude, I can clearly recognize how growth, reflection, and insight can happen quietly, without instruction.
There’s magic in this choice of independence. The same grassy, dirt, paved and unpaved paths that inspired generations of thinkers, healers, and seekers are open for me to leave my own mark. With my little notebook, I am free to sketch, journal, meditate, or simply breathe. I can feel that reality that I, just as much as anyone before or after my stay, is contributing to the living story of Esalen, with each and every self-guided journey a thread in that tapestry.
Evenings here hold their own transcending moments. I love to linger in the Lodge, sipping tea or a biodynamic wine, sharing a smile or a conversation with another seeker who is enjoying their own corner at the edge of the world. To witness the sun set over the ocean, watching the sky explode with rose and tangerine hues as the day dissolves into evening. Here, the pace is totally my own, the discoveries uniquely captured by me, while the very lived experience profoundly shared with others, with the land, the incredible history, and the spirit all that energy swirling long before my arrival and long after my departure.
For those who long to step off the schedule, to follow the whispers of curiosity rather than the looming hands of the clock, Esalen offers a self-guided journey unlike any other. There is much to unfold and unravel when you let Mother Nature lead you.
“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?
Check out the remaining available spots for Self Guided Explorations through December!
Shira Levine is the Director of Communications & Storytelling at the Esalen Institute.
Esalen Institute
55000 Highway 1
Big Sur, CA 93920
US: 1-831-667-3000
info@esalen.org
