Inspired by 20th-century French writer Marcel Proust, we here at Esalen have created our own version of his favorite parlor game to dig just a little deeper — and differently — into our incredible faculty and staff.
Contemporary dance artist and actor Janelle Hacault tells us about valuing the “creative essence of the body” and her greatest love, Minou (her black cat). Hacault, who will lead Texture of Emotions: Self-Expression Through Dance and Voice this July, also reveals her greatest fear, happiness, and favorite qualities in humans: “Empathy, loving-kindness, generosity.”
What is Esalen to you?
Focused time to slow down and reconnect with oneself, nature and a community of like-minded people.
What do you do/are you doing at Esalen?
Guiding people toward greater creativity and self-expression through dance and voice.
What is your idea of perfect happiness?
Being warm with a cup of tea in my hands, breathing deeply, and the sound of rain surrounding me.
What is your greatest fear in your work?
Rejection
Which living or dead person do you most admire in your field?
Crystal Pite
What is your greatest extravagance related to your practice?
Time. Time to be, dance, rest, encounter, pray.
What is your current state of mind?
Both apprehension with the current political and economical climate, and hope.
What do you consider the most overrated virtue?
“Hard” work
What is the quality you most like in a human?
Empathy, loving-kindness, generosity
What or who is the greatest love of your life?
Minou, my black cat
What about your work brings you the most happiness?
Connecting with others and seeing the joy that comes through them when they express themselves freely.
Which talent would you most like to have?
The capacity to heal others.
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
To have unshakeable faith … and the ability to generate wealth.
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
Having the courage and tenacity to make a career out of dancing, creating, and teaching.
If you were to die and come back as a person or a thing, what would it be?
Singer
What would living at Esalen for a month be like for you?
Uplifting, rejuvenating, educational, spirited.
What is your most treasured possession?
My mother’s jewelry
How do you maintain your practice(s) during challenging times?
With friends and online.
What is your favorite component of your work?
Being with people who are curious, open and playful.
What is your most marked characteristic?
My joy. Even when I don’t feel it, people say they see it in me.
What do you value most in your work/practice?
The energetic and creative essence of the body.
Who are your inspirations?
Nature, dancers, stand-up comedians, my cat.
Who is your hero of fiction?
Santiago from The Alchemist
Which historical figure do you most identify with?
Hmmm, good question, I’ll get back to you on this.
Who are your heroes in real life?
My best friend, Laurie Pauls, Bernie Sanders, and GreenPeace
What is your greatest regret?
Not starting my retirement savings sooner.
How would you like to die?
As a very old woman, with peace in my heart and a willingness to go.
What is your motto?
Love, Joy, Motion
“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?
Inspired by 20th-century French writer Marcel Proust, we here at Esalen have created our own version of his favorite parlor game to dig just a little deeper — and differently — into our incredible faculty and staff.
Contemporary dance artist and actor Janelle Hacault tells us about valuing the “creative essence of the body” and her greatest love, Minou (her black cat). Hacault, who will lead Texture of Emotions: Self-Expression Through Dance and Voice this July, also reveals her greatest fear, happiness, and favorite qualities in humans: “Empathy, loving-kindness, generosity.”
What is Esalen to you?
Focused time to slow down and reconnect with oneself, nature and a community of like-minded people.
What do you do/are you doing at Esalen?
Guiding people toward greater creativity and self-expression through dance and voice.
What is your idea of perfect happiness?
Being warm with a cup of tea in my hands, breathing deeply, and the sound of rain surrounding me.
What is your greatest fear in your work?
Rejection
Which living or dead person do you most admire in your field?
Crystal Pite
What is your greatest extravagance related to your practice?
Time. Time to be, dance, rest, encounter, pray.
What is your current state of mind?
Both apprehension with the current political and economical climate, and hope.
What do you consider the most overrated virtue?
“Hard” work
What is the quality you most like in a human?
Empathy, loving-kindness, generosity
What or who is the greatest love of your life?
Minou, my black cat
What about your work brings you the most happiness?
Connecting with others and seeing the joy that comes through them when they express themselves freely.
Which talent would you most like to have?
The capacity to heal others.
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
To have unshakeable faith … and the ability to generate wealth.
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
Having the courage and tenacity to make a career out of dancing, creating, and teaching.
If you were to die and come back as a person or a thing, what would it be?
Singer
What would living at Esalen for a month be like for you?
Uplifting, rejuvenating, educational, spirited.
What is your most treasured possession?
My mother’s jewelry
How do you maintain your practice(s) during challenging times?
With friends and online.
What is your favorite component of your work?
Being with people who are curious, open and playful.
What is your most marked characteristic?
My joy. Even when I don’t feel it, people say they see it in me.
What do you value most in your work/practice?
The energetic and creative essence of the body.
Who are your inspirations?
Nature, dancers, stand-up comedians, my cat.
Who is your hero of fiction?
Santiago from The Alchemist
Which historical figure do you most identify with?
Hmmm, good question, I’ll get back to you on this.
Who are your heroes in real life?
My best friend, Laurie Pauls, Bernie Sanders, and GreenPeace
What is your greatest regret?
Not starting my retirement savings sooner.
How would you like to die?
As a very old woman, with peace in my heart and a willingness to go.
What is your motto?
Love, Joy, Motion
“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?
Inspired by 20th-century French writer Marcel Proust, we here at Esalen have created our own version of his favorite parlor game to dig just a little deeper — and differently — into our incredible faculty and staff.
Contemporary dance artist and actor Janelle Hacault tells us about valuing the “creative essence of the body” and her greatest love, Minou (her black cat). Hacault, who will lead Texture of Emotions: Self-Expression Through Dance and Voice this July, also reveals her greatest fear, happiness, and favorite qualities in humans: “Empathy, loving-kindness, generosity.”
What is Esalen to you?
Focused time to slow down and reconnect with oneself, nature and a community of like-minded people.
What do you do/are you doing at Esalen?
Guiding people toward greater creativity and self-expression through dance and voice.
What is your idea of perfect happiness?
Being warm with a cup of tea in my hands, breathing deeply, and the sound of rain surrounding me.
What is your greatest fear in your work?
Rejection
Which living or dead person do you most admire in your field?
Crystal Pite
What is your greatest extravagance related to your practice?
Time. Time to be, dance, rest, encounter, pray.
What is your current state of mind?
Both apprehension with the current political and economical climate, and hope.
What do you consider the most overrated virtue?
“Hard” work
What is the quality you most like in a human?
Empathy, loving-kindness, generosity
What or who is the greatest love of your life?
Minou, my black cat
What about your work brings you the most happiness?
Connecting with others and seeing the joy that comes through them when they express themselves freely.
Which talent would you most like to have?
The capacity to heal others.
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
To have unshakeable faith … and the ability to generate wealth.
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
Having the courage and tenacity to make a career out of dancing, creating, and teaching.
If you were to die and come back as a person or a thing, what would it be?
Singer
What would living at Esalen for a month be like for you?
Uplifting, rejuvenating, educational, spirited.
What is your most treasured possession?
My mother’s jewelry
How do you maintain your practice(s) during challenging times?
With friends and online.
What is your favorite component of your work?
Being with people who are curious, open and playful.
What is your most marked characteristic?
My joy. Even when I don’t feel it, people say they see it in me.
What do you value most in your work/practice?
The energetic and creative essence of the body.
Who are your inspirations?
Nature, dancers, stand-up comedians, my cat.
Who is your hero of fiction?
Santiago from The Alchemist
Which historical figure do you most identify with?
Hmmm, good question, I’ll get back to you on this.
Who are your heroes in real life?
My best friend, Laurie Pauls, Bernie Sanders, and GreenPeace
What is your greatest regret?
Not starting my retirement savings sooner.
How would you like to die?
As a very old woman, with peace in my heart and a willingness to go.
What is your motto?
Love, Joy, Motion
“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
