When Christopher “Tino” DeMartino invited his mother, Susan Carson, to join him at Esalen for Mark Nicolson’s Designing the Life You Want workshop, it was a chance to spend uninterrupted time together and share an unforgettable experience.
For Tino, the idea began during his first visit to Esalen in 2024.
“The first time I stepped onto the lawn, I had a mental image of my mom and I walking the grounds together. I knew right then she would love it and that we would need to experience this place together.”
For Susan, the trip fulfilled a dream years in the making.
“Big Sur holds a special place in my heart, so when Tino got to go there during his own travels, I was so happy to share his joy in seeing the beauty through his eyes,” she says. “Tino shared his pictures of Esalen with me and said I absolutely had to go there with him one day. I put it on my bucket list, never thinking that I could actually make it happen.”
This spring, with support from family and what both describe as a little cosmic help, the timing aligned.
“We trusted the Universe would guide us both, and it sure did,” Tino says. “There was one spot left in the workshop and one two-bedroom yurt left. It was meant to be.”
They met in San Francisco and drove south toward Big Sur.
“My first glimpse of Esalen from the top of the driveway took my breath away and made me cry,” says Susan. “The first of many waterworks.”
For Tino, the joy came from seeing Esalen through his mother’s eyes.
“Going down the driveway is an immediate nervous system regulation. Now I get to see Mom seeing everything for the first time. So special.”
They settled into a yurt overlooking the Pacific and spent their days exploring.
“We dropped our stuff and slowly made our way up and down the hills, taking in everything — together,” Tino says. “My vision became a reality. We laughed, stopped to smell the flowers, sipped our coffee, looked for seals and whales and anything that wanted to pop their head up and say hello.”
Susan found herself falling in love with the landscape.
“I was happy to have so many chances to walk and see all of the amazing places tucked away, such as the waterfall, the gardens, the meditation house by the creek, and so many others.”.
The weekend also brought an unexpected role reversal.
“It started out as a challenge for me to walk up and down all of the treelined paths due to coming from Florida, flat Florida,” Susan says. “But with Tino taking my hand this time and urging me along, it soon became easier.”
“Actually, there were many times during our three-day stay that Tino became the parent, the leader, the friend, urging me to get out of my own way and just be and trust in the ‘magic’ of Esalen.”
Together they participated in Designing the Life You Want, a workshop Susan describes as “a good spring cleaning, soul searching, and intro into new seasons of our lives.”
Susan found that the workshop opened something new for her — an openness — though she admits she usually avoids speaking and sharing with more than one or two people at a time.
“That all changed after hearing others’ stories and being in such a beautiful, welcoming environment,” she explains. “I learned that none of us are ever alone, and not only the workshop but the entire community of Esalen was the perfect stage to show me that.”
Tino witnessed this transformation firsthand.
“I was so blown away by my Mom’s willingness to jump in, open her heart and share her story,” he says. “For someone who is typically a bit more reserved, she dove headfirst into the experience.”
As the weekend unfolded, both found themselves seeing each other in new ways.
“As she often does, Mom won people over with her warm heart, her gentle kindness, and assuring presence,” Tino says. “It was an honor watching her come so alive this weekend. She inspired me.”
“I am not the same person who originally showed up at Esalen for a getaway with my son,” Susan says. “Feelings and thoughts were opened in my head and in my heart, setting things in motion for the next chapters of my life.”
More than anything, the trip gave them an opportunity to know one another differently.
“I am so grateful and proud of Christopher — Tino — for giving me this amazing experience of getting to know each other better,” Susan says, before reflecting on a memory from long ago.
“Not since my son was an infant tucked into his seat on the back of my bicycle exploring the streets of Berlin, Germany, have we had the opportunity to share an adventure together, just he and I.”
And now, after a weekend of walking, learning, sharing, and growing together, she sees the journey in a new light.
“This time it was him steering the bicycle.”
“I am, and forever will be, so grateful for this experience and the opportunity to share more about our journey together,” Tino says. “We will be back. What happened at Esalen is rippling far beyond 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?
When Christopher “Tino” DeMartino invited his mother, Susan Carson, to join him at Esalen for Mark Nicolson’s Designing the Life You Want workshop, it was a chance to spend uninterrupted time together and share an unforgettable experience.
For Tino, the idea began during his first visit to Esalen in 2024.
“The first time I stepped onto the lawn, I had a mental image of my mom and I walking the grounds together. I knew right then she would love it and that we would need to experience this place together.”
For Susan, the trip fulfilled a dream years in the making.
“Big Sur holds a special place in my heart, so when Tino got to go there during his own travels, I was so happy to share his joy in seeing the beauty through his eyes,” she says. “Tino shared his pictures of Esalen with me and said I absolutely had to go there with him one day. I put it on my bucket list, never thinking that I could actually make it happen.”
This spring, with support from family and what both describe as a little cosmic help, the timing aligned.
“We trusted the Universe would guide us both, and it sure did,” Tino says. “There was one spot left in the workshop and one two-bedroom yurt left. It was meant to be.”
They met in San Francisco and drove south toward Big Sur.
“My first glimpse of Esalen from the top of the driveway took my breath away and made me cry,” says Susan. “The first of many waterworks.”
For Tino, the joy came from seeing Esalen through his mother’s eyes.
“Going down the driveway is an immediate nervous system regulation. Now I get to see Mom seeing everything for the first time. So special.”
They settled into a yurt overlooking the Pacific and spent their days exploring.
“We dropped our stuff and slowly made our way up and down the hills, taking in everything — together,” Tino says. “My vision became a reality. We laughed, stopped to smell the flowers, sipped our coffee, looked for seals and whales and anything that wanted to pop their head up and say hello.”
Susan found herself falling in love with the landscape.
“I was happy to have so many chances to walk and see all of the amazing places tucked away, such as the waterfall, the gardens, the meditation house by the creek, and so many others.”.
The weekend also brought an unexpected role reversal.
“It started out as a challenge for me to walk up and down all of the treelined paths due to coming from Florida, flat Florida,” Susan says. “But with Tino taking my hand this time and urging me along, it soon became easier.”
“Actually, there were many times during our three-day stay that Tino became the parent, the leader, the friend, urging me to get out of my own way and just be and trust in the ‘magic’ of Esalen.”
Together they participated in Designing the Life You Want, a workshop Susan describes as “a good spring cleaning, soul searching, and intro into new seasons of our lives.”
Susan found that the workshop opened something new for her — an openness — though she admits she usually avoids speaking and sharing with more than one or two people at a time.
“That all changed after hearing others’ stories and being in such a beautiful, welcoming environment,” she explains. “I learned that none of us are ever alone, and not only the workshop but the entire community of Esalen was the perfect stage to show me that.”
Tino witnessed this transformation firsthand.
“I was so blown away by my Mom’s willingness to jump in, open her heart and share her story,” he says. “For someone who is typically a bit more reserved, she dove headfirst into the experience.”
As the weekend unfolded, both found themselves seeing each other in new ways.
“As she often does, Mom won people over with her warm heart, her gentle kindness, and assuring presence,” Tino says. “It was an honor watching her come so alive this weekend. She inspired me.”
“I am not the same person who originally showed up at Esalen for a getaway with my son,” Susan says. “Feelings and thoughts were opened in my head and in my heart, setting things in motion for the next chapters of my life.”
More than anything, the trip gave them an opportunity to know one another differently.
“I am so grateful and proud of Christopher — Tino — for giving me this amazing experience of getting to know each other better,” Susan says, before reflecting on a memory from long ago.
“Not since my son was an infant tucked into his seat on the back of my bicycle exploring the streets of Berlin, Germany, have we had the opportunity to share an adventure together, just he and I.”
And now, after a weekend of walking, learning, sharing, and growing together, she sees the journey in a new light.
“This time it was him steering the bicycle.”
“I am, and forever will be, so grateful for this experience and the opportunity to share more about our journey together,” Tino says. “We will be back. What happened at Esalen is rippling far beyond 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?
When Christopher “Tino” DeMartino invited his mother, Susan Carson, to join him at Esalen for Mark Nicolson’s Designing the Life You Want workshop, it was a chance to spend uninterrupted time together and share an unforgettable experience.
For Tino, the idea began during his first visit to Esalen in 2024.
“The first time I stepped onto the lawn, I had a mental image of my mom and I walking the grounds together. I knew right then she would love it and that we would need to experience this place together.”
For Susan, the trip fulfilled a dream years in the making.
“Big Sur holds a special place in my heart, so when Tino got to go there during his own travels, I was so happy to share his joy in seeing the beauty through his eyes,” she says. “Tino shared his pictures of Esalen with me and said I absolutely had to go there with him one day. I put it on my bucket list, never thinking that I could actually make it happen.”
This spring, with support from family and what both describe as a little cosmic help, the timing aligned.
“We trusted the Universe would guide us both, and it sure did,” Tino says. “There was one spot left in the workshop and one two-bedroom yurt left. It was meant to be.”
They met in San Francisco and drove south toward Big Sur.
“My first glimpse of Esalen from the top of the driveway took my breath away and made me cry,” says Susan. “The first of many waterworks.”
For Tino, the joy came from seeing Esalen through his mother’s eyes.
“Going down the driveway is an immediate nervous system regulation. Now I get to see Mom seeing everything for the first time. So special.”
They settled into a yurt overlooking the Pacific and spent their days exploring.
“We dropped our stuff and slowly made our way up and down the hills, taking in everything — together,” Tino says. “My vision became a reality. We laughed, stopped to smell the flowers, sipped our coffee, looked for seals and whales and anything that wanted to pop their head up and say hello.”
Susan found herself falling in love with the landscape.
“I was happy to have so many chances to walk and see all of the amazing places tucked away, such as the waterfall, the gardens, the meditation house by the creek, and so many others.”.
The weekend also brought an unexpected role reversal.
“It started out as a challenge for me to walk up and down all of the treelined paths due to coming from Florida, flat Florida,” Susan says. “But with Tino taking my hand this time and urging me along, it soon became easier.”
“Actually, there were many times during our three-day stay that Tino became the parent, the leader, the friend, urging me to get out of my own way and just be and trust in the ‘magic’ of Esalen.”
Together they participated in Designing the Life You Want, a workshop Susan describes as “a good spring cleaning, soul searching, and intro into new seasons of our lives.”
Susan found that the workshop opened something new for her — an openness — though she admits she usually avoids speaking and sharing with more than one or two people at a time.
“That all changed after hearing others’ stories and being in such a beautiful, welcoming environment,” she explains. “I learned that none of us are ever alone, and not only the workshop but the entire community of Esalen was the perfect stage to show me that.”
Tino witnessed this transformation firsthand.
“I was so blown away by my Mom’s willingness to jump in, open her heart and share her story,” he says. “For someone who is typically a bit more reserved, she dove headfirst into the experience.”
As the weekend unfolded, both found themselves seeing each other in new ways.
“As she often does, Mom won people over with her warm heart, her gentle kindness, and assuring presence,” Tino says. “It was an honor watching her come so alive this weekend. She inspired me.”
“I am not the same person who originally showed up at Esalen for a getaway with my son,” Susan says. “Feelings and thoughts were opened in my head and in my heart, setting things in motion for the next chapters of my life.”
More than anything, the trip gave them an opportunity to know one another differently.
“I am so grateful and proud of Christopher — Tino — for giving me this amazing experience of getting to know each other better,” Susan says, before reflecting on a memory from long ago.
“Not since my son was an infant tucked into his seat on the back of my bicycle exploring the streets of Berlin, Germany, have we had the opportunity to share an adventure together, just he and I.”
And now, after a weekend of walking, learning, sharing, and growing together, she sees the journey in a new light.
“This time it was him steering the bicycle.”
“I am, and forever will be, so grateful for this experience and the opportunity to share more about our journey together,” Tino says. “We will be back. What happened at Esalen is rippling far beyond 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
