Music is part of Esalen’s heartbeat — a bridge between body and spirit, rhythm and revelation. In the 1960s and ’70s, when seekers were first gathering here to explore the outer edges of consciousness, some of the world’s most celebrated musicians found their way down to the baths, to the pool deck, across the lawn and oval, in and around the Lodge to perform and flow into jam sessions. Legends like Joan Baez, Joni Mitchenll, George Harrison, and Crosby, Stills and Nash once soaked, strummed, and shared ideas that helped define a generation.
Over the decades, Esalen has continued to draw artists who understand that creativity is a spiritual practice. The improvisation of spontaneous drum circles, the hum of chanting voices at sunrise, the experimental harmonies spilling out from the Lodge — these sounds are part of our collective memory.
In recent years, that spirit has evolved through artists like Kesha, Alanis Morissette, P!nk, Tabernis, and Snow Raven — visionaries who bring courage and vulnerability to their craft, using music as a medium for healing and transformation.
These artists, touring, producing, and collaborating with icons, come to Esalen to slow down, reconnect, and share what lies beneath the surface of their art. At Esalen, music is felt in the body, in the breath, and in the silence between notes. It’s a space to pause, to immerse yourself in sound, and to experience music fully, leaving refreshed, inspired, and connected.
This December, that legacy continues with three extraordinary workshop leaders: Laraaji, East Forest, and Shahzad Ismaily — world-renowned musicians whose work expands the boundaries of sound, consciousness, and collaboration.
Laraaji, who is co-leading with Arji OceAnanda for the week-long December 8–12 workshop, Laughter, Sound, and Consciousness, is a master of the zither and a pioneer of ecstatic and ambient music. The radiant Laraaji — whose zither and celestial laughter helped pioneer ambient and meditative sound — has inspired countless seekers with his meditative soundscapes, laughter, and joy-filled improvisations. Many know him for his performances and recordings, but at Esalen, it’s a treat to experience him in a space where he, too, can decompress and share in the healing and transformation that unfolds here. Laraaji creates sonic experiences where the vibrations of a single note can shift perception and awaken a sense of radiant bliss.
East Forest, joined by Marisa Radha Weppner, also leads a week-long experience December 12–15 for Journey Space: Music, Movement & Ceremony. He is known for his collaborations with such iconic spiritual teachers as Ram Dass (a former Esalen teacher too!) and Dead Prez. His immersive live performances offer a uniquely transformative blend of electronic soundscapes, ceremony, and heart-centered presence. Many know his music as a performance experience, but here he, too, becomes part of the circle — receiving the same reflective, restorative energy that he so generously shares with others. His music merges meditation, storytelling, and live improvisation to create moments where time seems to dissolve, leaving only presence and resonance.
Shahzad Ismaily, rolls solo for this week-long workshop December 15–19 titled, The Art of Improvisation: From Sound to Song. He is a multi-instrumentalist who has performed with Laurie Anderson, Yoko Ono, Lou Reed, and Tom Waits — bringing a unique openness to the creative process. While audiences may know him for his virtuosic performances, at Esalen he joins in the flow of community, exploring improvisation as both art and meditation. His approach often uncovers textures and rhythms that feel otherworldly yet deeply human, revealing connections between genres, cultures, and emotions.
“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?
Music is part of Esalen’s heartbeat — a bridge between body and spirit, rhythm and revelation. In the 1960s and ’70s, when seekers were first gathering here to explore the outer edges of consciousness, some of the world’s most celebrated musicians found their way down to the baths, to the pool deck, across the lawn and oval, in and around the Lodge to perform and flow into jam sessions. Legends like Joan Baez, Joni Mitchenll, George Harrison, and Crosby, Stills and Nash once soaked, strummed, and shared ideas that helped define a generation.
Over the decades, Esalen has continued to draw artists who understand that creativity is a spiritual practice. The improvisation of spontaneous drum circles, the hum of chanting voices at sunrise, the experimental harmonies spilling out from the Lodge — these sounds are part of our collective memory.
In recent years, that spirit has evolved through artists like Kesha, Alanis Morissette, P!nk, Tabernis, and Snow Raven — visionaries who bring courage and vulnerability to their craft, using music as a medium for healing and transformation.
These artists, touring, producing, and collaborating with icons, come to Esalen to slow down, reconnect, and share what lies beneath the surface of their art. At Esalen, music is felt in the body, in the breath, and in the silence between notes. It’s a space to pause, to immerse yourself in sound, and to experience music fully, leaving refreshed, inspired, and connected.
This December, that legacy continues with three extraordinary workshop leaders: Laraaji, East Forest, and Shahzad Ismaily — world-renowned musicians whose work expands the boundaries of sound, consciousness, and collaboration.
Laraaji, who is co-leading with Arji OceAnanda for the week-long December 8–12 workshop, Laughter, Sound, and Consciousness, is a master of the zither and a pioneer of ecstatic and ambient music. The radiant Laraaji — whose zither and celestial laughter helped pioneer ambient and meditative sound — has inspired countless seekers with his meditative soundscapes, laughter, and joy-filled improvisations. Many know him for his performances and recordings, but at Esalen, it’s a treat to experience him in a space where he, too, can decompress and share in the healing and transformation that unfolds here. Laraaji creates sonic experiences where the vibrations of a single note can shift perception and awaken a sense of radiant bliss.
East Forest, joined by Marisa Radha Weppner, also leads a week-long experience December 12–15 for Journey Space: Music, Movement & Ceremony. He is known for his collaborations with such iconic spiritual teachers as Ram Dass (a former Esalen teacher too!) and Dead Prez. His immersive live performances offer a uniquely transformative blend of electronic soundscapes, ceremony, and heart-centered presence. Many know his music as a performance experience, but here he, too, becomes part of the circle — receiving the same reflective, restorative energy that he so generously shares with others. His music merges meditation, storytelling, and live improvisation to create moments where time seems to dissolve, leaving only presence and resonance.
Shahzad Ismaily, rolls solo for this week-long workshop December 15–19 titled, The Art of Improvisation: From Sound to Song. He is a multi-instrumentalist who has performed with Laurie Anderson, Yoko Ono, Lou Reed, and Tom Waits — bringing a unique openness to the creative process. While audiences may know him for his virtuosic performances, at Esalen he joins in the flow of community, exploring improvisation as both art and meditation. His approach often uncovers textures and rhythms that feel otherworldly yet deeply human, revealing connections between genres, cultures, and emotions.
“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?
Music is part of Esalen’s heartbeat — a bridge between body and spirit, rhythm and revelation. In the 1960s and ’70s, when seekers were first gathering here to explore the outer edges of consciousness, some of the world’s most celebrated musicians found their way down to the baths, to the pool deck, across the lawn and oval, in and around the Lodge to perform and flow into jam sessions. Legends like Joan Baez, Joni Mitchenll, George Harrison, and Crosby, Stills and Nash once soaked, strummed, and shared ideas that helped define a generation.
Over the decades, Esalen has continued to draw artists who understand that creativity is a spiritual practice. The improvisation of spontaneous drum circles, the hum of chanting voices at sunrise, the experimental harmonies spilling out from the Lodge — these sounds are part of our collective memory.
In recent years, that spirit has evolved through artists like Kesha, Alanis Morissette, P!nk, Tabernis, and Snow Raven — visionaries who bring courage and vulnerability to their craft, using music as a medium for healing and transformation.
These artists, touring, producing, and collaborating with icons, come to Esalen to slow down, reconnect, and share what lies beneath the surface of their art. At Esalen, music is felt in the body, in the breath, and in the silence between notes. It’s a space to pause, to immerse yourself in sound, and to experience music fully, leaving refreshed, inspired, and connected.
This December, that legacy continues with three extraordinary workshop leaders: Laraaji, East Forest, and Shahzad Ismaily — world-renowned musicians whose work expands the boundaries of sound, consciousness, and collaboration.
“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
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