One of the most powerful ways to understand what draws people to Esalen is to hear it directly from those who’ve been here. In this new column, seekers share in their own words what called them here, what they encountered, and how the experience met something they were responding to (or didn’t yet have language for).
These reflections aren’t meant to define what your experience should be, but to offer a window into what’s possible when you step away from the noise and into a place designed for inquiry, connection, and renewal.
This week, we hear from Executive Producer Zach Zyskowski, whose experience speaks to the quiet return many people come here looking for.
“Esalen Institute is one of the few places in my life where I can truly come back to myself. It’s where I reconnect with nature, disconnect from the noise, and remember how to be human again.
I first came for a workshop led by Bill Donius called Meet Your Better Half. I’ve since had the privilege of attending twice, and each time has been genuinely transformational. The experience helps you access the more intuitive side of your mind in a way that’s surprising, practical, and deeply insightful — and then apply it to the professional, emotional, and creative questions you’re actually living with.
And of course, it doesn’t hurt that all of this unfolds in one of the most breathtaking places on the planet, tucked into Big Sur on the Esalen campus.”
— Zach Zyskowski, Executive Producer, Los Angeles & London
“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?
If Zach’s experience resonates, Bill Donius’s next workshop, Meet Your Better Half: Unlock Your Right Brain is March 13-15.
Learn more about the experience and see if it’s the right next step for you.
One of the most powerful ways to understand what draws people to Esalen is to hear it directly from those who’ve been here. In this new column, seekers share in their own words what called them here, what they encountered, and how the experience met something they were responding to (or didn’t yet have language for).
These reflections aren’t meant to define what your experience should be, but to offer a window into what’s possible when you step away from the noise and into a place designed for inquiry, connection, and renewal.
This week, we hear from Executive Producer Zach Zyskowski, whose experience speaks to the quiet return many people come here looking for.
“Esalen Institute is one of the few places in my life where I can truly come back to myself. It’s where I reconnect with nature, disconnect from the noise, and remember how to be human again.
I first came for a workshop led by Bill Donius called Meet Your Better Half. I’ve since had the privilege of attending twice, and each time has been genuinely transformational. The experience helps you access the more intuitive side of your mind in a way that’s surprising, practical, and deeply insightful — and then apply it to the professional, emotional, and creative questions you’re actually living with.
And of course, it doesn’t hurt that all of this unfolds in one of the most breathtaking places on the planet, tucked into Big Sur on the Esalen campus.”
— Zach Zyskowski, Executive Producer, Los Angeles & London
“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?
If Zach’s experience resonates, Bill Donius’s next workshop, Meet Your Better Half: Unlock Your Right Brain is March 13-15.
Learn more about the experience and see if it’s the right next step for you.
One of the most powerful ways to understand what draws people to Esalen is to hear it directly from those who’ve been here. In this new column, seekers share in their own words what called them here, what they encountered, and how the experience met something they were responding to (or didn’t yet have language for).
These reflections aren’t meant to define what your experience should be, but to offer a window into what’s possible when you step away from the noise and into a place designed for inquiry, connection, and renewal.
This week, we hear from Executive Producer Zach Zyskowski, whose experience speaks to the quiet return many people come here looking for.
“Esalen Institute is one of the few places in my life where I can truly come back to myself. It’s where I reconnect with nature, disconnect from the noise, and remember how to be human again.
I first came for a workshop led by Bill Donius called Meet Your Better Half. I’ve since had the privilege of attending twice, and each time has been genuinely transformational. The experience helps you access the more intuitive side of your mind in a way that’s surprising, practical, and deeply insightful — and then apply it to the professional, emotional, and creative questions you’re actually living with.
And of course, it doesn’t hurt that all of this unfolds in one of the most breathtaking places on the planet, tucked into Big Sur on the Esalen campus.”
— Zach Zyskowski, Executive Producer, Los Angeles & London
“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?
If Zach’s experience resonates, Bill Donius’s next workshop, Meet Your Better Half: Unlock Your Right Brain is March 13-15.
Learn more about the experience and see if it’s the right next step for you.
Esalen Institute
55000 Highway 1
Big Sur, CA 93920
US: 1-831-667-3000
info@esalen.org
