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Access press releases, logos and graphic resources, and the Esalen Media Archive.

“This is where the three waters meet.” You might have heard those words spoken as you stood along the creek and watched the cascading water from the mountains flow down to the ocean. But what does it actually mean for the land? For the people who pass through and breathe in the air, snap a photo or video to post to Instagram? Rather than a cool passing moment, this is in fact a sacred and rare convergence of mineral, sea, and fresh waters.

eZine is devoted to one of the longest running series of meetings ever sponsored by Esalen's Center for Theory and Research.

After a year of experimentation and exploration, including piloting programs at Esalen and Big Creek Reserve, Big Sur Park School began its spring 2019 session on April 1st. The early childhood program with a relational, ecological-based curriculum has secured an agreement with Esalen at Gazebo Park, the one-acre outdoor meadow that was home to Gazebo Park School for 40 years.

Learn about what to pack, driving directions and how to get here, massage and activities, food and drink, check-in/check-out times, cancellation policies, and more.

eZine is devoted to one of the longest running series of meetings ever sponsored by Esalen's Center for Theory and Research.

These are just some of the suggestions by Esalen staff who, as artists themselves, embrace Esalen’s natural beauty to foster and spark their creativity. Some, like longstanding community member Daniel Bianchetta and technology specialist Kyle Evans, express their creativity through photography. Their work can be seen in the latest Esalen catalog and is also available for purchase in the bookstore.

This podast episode aired on Oct 12, 2016. Listen to it now.

What’s in a bag? Aside from your essentials, there is a story behind our latest must-have from the book store. Find out how a simple stop over at a coffee shop turned into our new item of the season.

This podast episode aired on Feb 17, 2016. Listen to it now.

As the summer heat ripens our spirits, we're meditating on the earth and its lessons — on sustenance, survival, and growth.

Springtime arrived early this year in the Farm & Garden with warmer weather in February. And while staff hold out for March rains, the landscape offers a surprisingly colorful story to savor.

The great psychedelic resurgence is upon us. If your curiosity is piqued, we’ve created a reading list that will expand the mind and understanding of psychedelics today while also honoring the galaxy’s most distinguished pioneers: Huxley, Fadiman, McKenna, Grof — each with a long history at Esalen.

For April, we’re focused on the concept of healing and the myriad ways Esalen’s visitors can mend from life’s many wounds while here on campus. There are many paths to recovery and transformation — and multiple dimensions that require us to harness powerful forces to achieve some form of restoration. To this end, we’ve selected five books with varied themes, disparate concerns, and radically diverse forms of healing, though ultimately the peace and harmony they are reaching for are all part of a very unified whole.

This month, we walk in the metaphorical footsteps of Michael Murphy and Dick Price by reading the great works and great men that inspired them. Maslow, Myers, Huxley, James, and Sri Aurobindo — giants of psychology, spirituality, philosophy, literature, and more who deeply influenced the founders — and founding — of Esalen.

This year’s Benefit Weekend will feature performances by a variety of artists including award-winning vocalist Geeta Novotny (http://www.geetanovotny.com). Geeta, which means song of life in Hindi, is a musician and classical singer who has performed at Carnegie Hall and The Metropolitan Opera House. Today she maintains a voice studio in Los Angeles and offers a unique Vocal Immersion Sound Bath experience that promotes healing and wellness.

Earlier this year, when Esalen temporarily closed its doors to the public during the pandemic, Esalen Farm & Garden stewards still working and living in the community asked the question: “How can we be of support to those close to us?” Their answer: a free, experimental Community Supported Agriculture program to share produce with local households.

This podast episode aired on Aug 07, 2020. Listen to it now.

This month, we’re considering how we can change our outlook without psychedelics (though we remain big fans). Instead, find out how to dream, breathe, or dance your way into a different you.

As the year closes and we take some time to consider all that has passed, we also imagine what can come next — all there is to learn, to understand, and to become. To offer guidance, new passions, and hopes, we’re turning to new works from six brilliant Esalen faculty, each with a valuable gift to share.

This month, we search for love in all its myriad forms — philosophically, spiritually, bodily, and psychologically. Here are a few titles to deepen your understanding for the type of love you desire.

Access press releases, logos and graphic resources, and the Esalen Media Archive.

Just as greenery emerges from the chilly dormancy of winter, we are excitedly bursting into the vernal months — ready for change. Spring is the season to reach further and become more, but rapid growth requires sun and water. That means new ideas and renewed inspiration.

This time, we’re highlighting some classic Esalen texts along with a few hidden gems for an eclectic mix of staff favorites to stimulate curious minds and spirits. Here are a few of the titles being suggested at the bookstore these days whenever guests — especially those interested in Esalen history — ask, “What should I read next?”

On August 1, Tom Little Bear Nason, respected elder, Chairman of the Esselen Tribe of Monterey County, teacher, and longtime faculty member at Esalen Institute, passed away.

This podast episode aired on Oct 02, 2020. Listen to it now.

With spring in full bloom, now is the perfect time to get outside, soak up the sunshine and get your hands dirty! Gardening with children of any age is a wonderful way to connect with the seasons and each other while cultivating flowers, herbs and vegetables for the whole family to enjoy.

Earlier this month, Esalen welcomed some of the most exciting voices in mindfulness today for two week-long workshops: The Art and Science of Mindfulness, Compassion and Awe and Loving Awareness. We recently spoke with Dan Siegel, author of the upcoming Aware: The Science and Practice of Mindfulness, and Dacher Keltner, founder of the Greater Good Science Center, who co-led with Shauna Shapiro the first workshop from August 5-10.

Pursuing your potential is an ongoing process that resonates differently for each of us. Whatever your goals, guidance can often be found from the greats. Look upon their works, but do not despair! Instead, be inspired to grow mighty.

The EcoFarm Conference is a revered winter tradition for thousands of farmers—one of few good excuses to leave the lonely farm behind and join the larger community of allies in sustainable agriculture. This year’s conference, in January 2015, marked EcoFarm’s 35th year of bringing together farmers, ranchers, educators, researchers, and other food system stakeholders for education, networking and celebration.

For Republic of Georgia native Mzia Dalakishvili, Esalen’s Gazebo Park School felt like home the first time she stepped foot in the outdoor school. She had been working as a Gestalt therapist when an educational program brought her to the U.S. and to a tour of Esalen. Her teacher, Felicia Carroll, had been a Gazebo teacher.

“Among all our native edible plants, the nut of the bay laurel tree is one of the most delicious,” says Esselen Tribe medicine woman Cari Herthel. Historically enjoyed by California’s Indigenous communities, bay nuts are typically used as a condiment, digestive aid, and stimulant.

“This is where the three waters meet.” You might have heard those words spoken as you stood along the creek — a sacred and rare convergence of mineral, sea, and fresh waters — with the fresh part providing our daily drinking water thanks to Esalen’s innovative in-house water system.

As we gracefully attempt to ease our way back out into the world during uncertain times, several Esalen faculty and trusted partners continue to invite us online for connection as a new normal emerges. "I think this time is giving all of us an opportunity to value togetherness,” says Esalen faculty and singer/songwriter Glen Phillips. “Initially, I wanted to start doing online offerings during the pandemic to create a sense of purpose and what I’ve seen is how important a regular check-in like this with others actually is."

We delve into books for so many different reasons: guidance, knowledge, curiosity and oftentimes to lose ourselves in a captivating tale that can take us to the farthest stretches of our imagination. Esalen News invites our faculty to share what’s on their nightstand and why.

As an author, Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor, a Marriage and Family Therapist, and Mindful Relationship Coach, Esalen faculty Ira Israel knows how to swim deep waters. He shares his latest book pick with Esalen News.

Former Esalen trustee and faculty member Chip Conley, whose moniker adorns the Conley Bookstore at Esalen, offers our first book recommendation. Chip is also a bestselling author and a hospitality entrepreneur who at 52 joined Airbnb, embracing the role of a new kind of elder.

With this insightful and diverse assortment, we face the many tests before us and embrace them as a grand set of brilliant opportunities. Everything can be met with grace, and it can all become a chance for growth. And we can rise to any challenge — with support.

Longtime Esalen faculty Jean Houston, PhD, is a philosopher mentored by Margaret Mead and one of the principal founders of the human potential movement. She has written 26 books and is known for her human potential workshops. What inspiring read lies on Jean’s nightstand?

It’s hard to go wrong with flavor combinations when you pair things that come into season together, like early spring’s pea shoots and asparagus bolstered with the last of winter’s citrus. This salad is spring green on a plate, with a delightful mix of flavors and textures — acidic citrus, bright mint, sweet peas, crunchy nuts, tender asparagus — that elevate it beyond an everyday salad.

We delve into books for so many different reasons: guidance, knowledge, curiosity and oftentimes to lose ourselves in a captivating tale that can take us to the farthest stretches of our imagination. Esalen faculty and author Steve Almond shares his insights on the book he found to be a true “page-turner.”

For nearly 60 years, we at Esalen have committed ourselves to the exploration and actualization of human potential, a future humanity envisioned in ways at once deeply individual, radically interpersonal, politically active, plurally embodied and genuinely global. The recent national events and protests around the murder of George Floyd on May 25 and the still unrealized dream of a truly inclusive American society have shown us in too familiar and yet fundamentally new ways that we have not lived up to our own legacy.

This month, we’re celebrating freedom while contemplating its many forms. The responsibility of protecting and expanding our liberation is ongoing, noble, and challenging. It’s the work of a lifetime — and we can always reset and start again. Join us this month and try one of these brilliant titles, all available now at the Esalen store.

Esalen faculty Ann Randolph is an award-winning writer and performer with plenty of wit and verve. Her solo shows, 'Inappropriate in All the Right Ways', 'Loveland' and 'Squeeze Box' have been heralded and her workshops —at Esalen and beyond — aptly balance depth and humor. Ann shares her latest book pick with Esalen News.

Russell Delman has dedicated his life to the study of human transformation and is deeply indebted to his more than 40 years of both Zen meditation and marriage. He has helped train more than 2,500 Feldenkrais® practitioners, founded The Embodied Life School and leads The Embodied Life™: Meditation, Guided Inquiry and the Teachings of Moshe Feldenkrais September 25-27 at Esalen with his wife, Linda.

This podast episode aired on Feb 24, 2016. Listen to it now.

We delve into books for so many different reasons: guidance, knowledge, curiosity and oftentimes to lose ourselves in a captivating tale that can take us to the farthest stretches of our imagination. Esalen News invites our faculty to share what’s on their nightstand and why.As lead singer/songwriter for Toad the Wet Sprocket, Glen Phillips appreciates the creative process and recognizes the passion that goes behind creating compelling works.

Many changes came to Esalen this year, some greatly anticipated such as the completion of the Lodge renovation, while others were unexpected and tested our greater Big Sur community. Here are just a few of the memorable events from 2016:

This podast episode aired on May 23, 2016. Listen to it now.

This podast episode aired on Sep 17, 2019. Listen to it now.

This podast episode aired on Mar 30, 2016. Listen to it now.

Esalen faculty Judith Orloff wears many creative hats — psychiatrist, empath, and best-selling author. She is also on the UCLA psychiatric clinical faculty and her work has been featured on The Today Show, CNN and in the New York Times.

This month, our Esalen Book Club is savoring a singular story from a pioneering voice in Esalen® Massage and the human potential movement. In her new memoir, Brita reflects on a pivotal moment in Esalen history — when self-discovery, radical connection, and embodied awareness expanded the boundaries of what was possible: “We are wilder than we know, able to ford deep streams, get naked, and strong enough to lend a hand at the steep spots.”

This podast episode aired on Nov 15, 2019. Listen to it now.

1960 – 2026

Summer Lall is a board certified music therapist who works at Optimist Youth Homes and Family Services in Los Angeles. She is also the founder of the organization Rhythm & Truth Music Therapy which seeks to empower at-risk youth. We recently spoke to Summer about what her Esalen experience has meant to her and how scholarship made it possible for her to be at Esalen.

“Right now, our world is in a deep need of reconnection — to the land, to each other, and to the wisdom that has sustained human beings for thousands of years,” says Tom “Little Bear” Nason, who returns to Esalen in November to teach Healing Waters: Return to One alongside Douglas Drummond, Guest Musicians Sanga of the Valley and Nick Ayers, and guest faculty Mac Murphy. The Tribal Chairman of the Esselen Tribe of Monterey County invites us to learn the old ways of caring for the Earth “and feel her caring for you in return.”

This October, we’re marveling at the medicinal gifts nature provides us. To celebrate Mother Earth and the power plants hold to heal and nurture, we’ve selected titles by some brilliant healers and holders of plant wisdom.

This month, we're looking inward to celebrate a few of our favorite in-house authors and delve deep into the topics and themes vital to the institute — because creating outward change begins with the development of inner strength.