Voices of Esalen

Vivien Sansour is the founder of the Palestine Heirloom Seed Library. Trained in the field of Anthropology, Vivien has worked with farmers worldwide on issues relating to agriculture and independence. She is a 2020-2021 Religion, Conflict, and Peace Initiative Fellow at Harvard University where she is working on an autobiographical book documenting her work saving seeds in Palestine and around the world. Together we discussed how food sovereignty aligns with the struggle of Palestinian resistance , how biodiversity reflects and intersects with cultural diversity, how the military occupation of Palestine affects the farming practices that go on there, and how love is the greatest form of resistance to colonial oppression. She's brilliant. Coming up at Esalen: Esalen Hosts Embrace Yoga’s Roots: Virtual Book Tour with Susanna Barkataki October 21 at 5:00 PST, Esalen is honored to host a virtual book tour with Susanna Barkataki, author of Embrace Yoga’s Roots: Courageous Ways to Deepen Your Yoga Practice.  An Indian yoga practitioner in the Shankaracharya tradition, Susanna supports practitioners to lead with equity, diversity, and yogic values while growing thriving practices and businesses with confidence.  Join Susanna for a conversation with Danny Fluker Jr., queer Atlanta native and the creator and executive director of Black Boys OM. Danny is a Esalen Teacher in Residence alum and a yoga/meditation teacher, writer, and activist whose vision is to uplift the Black community, Black boys in particular, with programs centering on their physical, mental, and emotional well-being.    Tickets to the event are $35, but as part of our End of Year Campaign, Esalen is offering free tickets to the first 50 people who sign up to become a Friend of Esalen between October 1-October 21.   You’ll receive the comp code when and the RSVP link to the event when you become a friend..  Become a friend today: https://www.esalen.org/give/friends-of-esalen Grief Into Beauty: Creating Nature Altars to Transform and Heal from This Year October 29-31, internationally renowned author and artist Day Schildkret of Morning Altars will teach students how to use nature, art, and ritual to transform, heal, and make meaning from this chaotic time.  Book your Spot https://www.esalen.org/post/whats-happening-at-esalen-nature-altars-to-heal-grief-spirit-dive-and-a-gratitude-retreat Embodying Grace in times of Change: Rising into Spiritual Maturity   Join Miranda Macpherson October 25–29, in a course that shares a holistic and feminine approach to surrender and nondual realization based on a practice she calls Ego Relaxation — embracing the totality of our experience as a gateway into our deepest nature.

Ayana Young is a protector of wild nature and host of the podcast For the Wild - an interview-based show that examines and champions intersectional environmental and social justice, deep ecology, and land-based restoration. Topics include the Future History of Water, Queering Permaculture, Unruly Beauty, the Divine Time of Fungal Evolution, the Violence of Globalization, and much more. Together we talked about capitalisim, her involvement with the early stages of Occupy Wall Street, why she lives off the grid and how exactly that works with being an activist and media producer, the manner in which she curates her guests and creates episodic structure, and her thoughts on the future of humanity. Visit her work at https://forthewild.world/podcast And upcoming at Esalen: Move like the ocean. Sit like a mountain. What would it feel like to integrate that into your life? Take the first step on a leading-edge path to transform your body, heart, and spirit. Zuza and Scott Engler guide conscious movement, body-based inquiries of the Gestalt Practice, and stillness within nature to bring you to your authentic, luminescent, and radically alive version of you. It’s happening at Esalen August 27th to 29th. Sign up for the workshop now: https://www.esalen.org/workshops/the-luminescent-body-moving-like-the-ocean-sitting-like-a-mountain Money should never be a barrier to transformation. Did you know Esalen has a scholarship program that can cover up to 90% of workshop tuition, accommodations, and travel expenses? Combined with our mission to increase diversity, apply to explore your own potential or give, to support the journey of another human. https://www.esalen.org/visit/scholarships What does it mean to be happy? Do you know your take on the meaning of life? A workshop exploring the practical aspects of R.D. Laing - at one time the most widely-read psychiatrist in the world - is happening at Esalen August 30th through September 3rd. Best suited for those familiar with Laing and his take on altered states, the nature of love, authenticity, and spirituality…. You’ll explore fundamental theories and experiential exercises for modern life with leaders Michael Guy Thompson, Nita Gage, and Fritjof Capra. Register now: https://www.esalen.org/workshops/r-d-laing-in-the-21st-century-what-is-happiness

Richie Reseda and Indigo Mateo are the co-owners and founders of Question Culture, an activist-artistic art label whose projects support grassroots organizing. Richie Reseda is an abolistionist-feminist, formerly incarcerated in the state of California and the subject of the CNN documentary" Feminist in Cell Block Y," a film that chronicles his journey educating and combatting toxic masculinity within the walls of the prison system. Indigo Mateo is a singer, healer, abolitionist, survivor, and artist. She’s releasing her sophomore album on the label this summer. Indigo met Richie while visiting him in prison; her partner, 88, also an artist on the Question Culture label, is currently incarcerated. Together we discussed how patriarchy functions in culture and in jail, what the school to prison pipeline is, and why it exists, how economies sprout up around the prison system and in neighboring towns, how meritocracy has led to a culture of vengeance, and why“the prison system is,” in Richie Reseda's words, “the deadbeat boyfriend of America.” Coming soon at Esalen: Join authors Camille Maurine and Lorin Roche August 16–20 for WILD SERENITY: At Play with the Radiance Sutras. Camille and Lorin will lead an immersion in deep relaxation and refreshment to help you fall in love with meditation. They’ll customize the practice so it flows in harmony with your inner nature. Space is limited, book now: https://www.esalen.org/workshops/wild-serenity-at-play-with-the-radiance-sutras Relational Mindfulness, Power, and the Deep Feminine: An Experiential and Restorative Retreat for Women, August 30th to September 3rd with Deborah Eden Tull. You’ll explore how meditation, relational mindfulness, and other rituals can yield more compassionate, wise, and embodied practitioners. Register now: https://www.esalen.org/workshops/relational-mindfulness-power-and-the-deep-feminine-an-experiential-and-restorative-retreat-for-women Discover your electric body, get in tune with the power of your voice, and liberate your human instrument with Electric Health/Sound Therapy pioneer Eileen Day McKusick and musical facilitators The Brothers Koren in their workshop Sing the Body Electric, September 17–19 in Big Sur.  sign up at https://www.esalen.org/workshops/sing-the-body-electric

Reverend Bodhi Be is the Executive Director of "Doorway into Light," a non-profit that seeks to re-invent and revolutionize the funeral home and the funeral industry, transforming the “business of dying” and returning it to “sacred service." Bodhi is an ordained minister in the universal Sufi lineage, an independent funeral director, hospice volunteer, end-of-life bereavement counselor, as well as a grandparent, coffin maker, death doula, educator, artist, and entrepreneur. He lives on Maui, where he is also the founder and president of the Death Store, Hawaii's only community educational resource center and store for those who are living with a life-threatening illness, those grieving the death of a loved one, and those wishing to explore their own approaching death. Here are a few upcoming workshops to check out: - Join us in Big Sur July 23rd to 25th for “Reclaiming Your Authentic Power,” a workshop led  by the award-winning instructor Justin Michael Williams, author of "Stay Woke: A Meditation Guide for the Rest of Us." In this dynamic three-day course, you’ll learn how to build habits that help you uncover hidden fears, break toxic habits, and make practical changes to help you overcome personal patterns standing in the way of your goals.  Find out more or enroll now at https://www.esalen.org/workshops/reclaiming-your-authentic-power - Are you a transgender, non-binary, gender-fluid or gender-exploring individual interested in delving more deeply into your gender journey, sharing your experiences, and building community connections? Join Ben Geilhufe and Dr. Jen Hastings in Big Sur July 9th through July 11th for “Gender Journeys: Exploring Identity in Community.”  Geilhufe and Dr. Hastings will create a safe space for participants to explore how gender impacts, influences and informs their  day-to-day experiences with a range of lecture-based sessions and personal explorations including art, movement, and journaling. Find out more or enroll now: https://www.esalen.org/workshops/gender-journeys-exploring-identity-in-community - Discover new ways to harness your intuition and uncover profound insights about yourself with author Bill Donius. His upcoming workshop “Meet Your Better Half: Unlock Your Right Brain,” is based on his best-selling book Thought Revolution. This workshop will teach you how to activate the right side of your brain to unlock the insights necessary to break through self-limiting patterns. You’ll develop practical tools you can apply each time you face an important decision in life, and go home with new ways to unlock your own inner genius to  create your best life. The workshop takes place August 11th to 13th in Big Sur. Find out more or enroll now: https://www.esalen.org/workshops/meet-your-better-half-unlock-your-right-brain Thanks and we'll see you in Big Sur!

Lauren Taus is a licensed clinical therapist with a specialty in addiction and trauma treatment. She utilizes ketamine-assisted psychotherapy in her clinical work, where she’s had success treating a number of challenging conditions, including depression, anxiety, suicidality, eating disorders, OCD, and more. Lauren trained at The Trauma Institute in Boston in Trauma-sensitive yoga, and with the Multidisciplinary Association of Psychedelic Studies for MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for complex PTSD. She's an experienced clinician whose work is firmly rooted in creating a safe and loving connection between herself and her clients. She's also the host of a podcast about Psychedelics and Psychedelic Psychotherapy: INBodied Life. To check out her show and her practice, visit her online at https://www.inbodiedlife.com/. Also ... The past year saw a tremendous loss of life, grief, chaos and pain.  The need to find space to process and transform this grief collectively is more important than ever. Esalen’s upcoming workshop Grief Dancer speaks directly to this need for a collective practice of releasing grief. The Grief Dancer workshop will take place May 14th to 16th, 2021, facilitated by physician and author Peter Selwyn and Lucia Horan, who was trained by Gabrielle Roth, creator of the visionary 5Rhythms method. Using the tools of the 5Rhythms movement practice combined with a process of grief work grounded in emotional presence, non-judgment, and supportive witnessing, participants will come together in a safe space to help heal mind, body, and spirit.  Secure your place for the workshop now at https://www.esalen.org/workshops/grief-dancer.

Sara Gael is the Harm Reduction Officer at the MAPS-sponsored Zendo project. Sara received her master's degree in transpersonal counseling psychology at Naropa University. She started working with MAPS in 2012, coordinating psychedelic harm reduction services at festivals and events worldwide with the Zendo project. Sara served as Director of Harm Reduction at MAPS from 2017 to 2020, and she continues to train individuals and organizations in principles of psychedelic peer support. Sara is a therapist for MAPS clinical trials of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD in Boulder. She also maintains a private practice as a psychotherapist specializing in trauma, integration, Non-ordinary States of consciousness, and ketamine-assisted psychotherapy. She's presented at conferences, universities, and events around the world, serves on the board of directors at DanceSafe, and as the harm reduction advocate on the city of Denver psilocybin policy review panel. Sara believes that developing a comprehensive understanding of psychedelic medicines through research and education is essential for the health and wellbeing of individuals, communities, and the planet. and . . . Do you want to know more about sacred plant medicine and psilocybin? If you’re interested in sacred plant medicine, we encourage you to register for Esalen’s upcoming series with Entheowheel. Learn everything you want to know as Esalen presents DNA Journeys’ Entheowheel: The Ceremony and Science of Psilocybin. This educational and experiential event will be live-streamed from Esalen from April 23 to April 26, 2021. The online odyssey will be guided by: Jyoti Ma, Xochitl Ashe, Paul Stamets & Pam Kryskow (live streaming from Canada), East Forest, Millana Snow, Justin Boretta, Allan Badiner, Dream Mullick, James Fadiman (live streaming from CA), Robin Carhart-Harris (live streaming from the UK), Grace Oh, Rhada Wapner and a digital transmission from Francoise Bourzat. Secure your place for this online experience now: https://www.esalen.org/workshops/online-entheowheel-the-ceremony-and-science-of-psilocybin-an-educational-workshop-and-experiential-event Scholarships for BIPOC folks who want to attend are available - to apply, head to: forms.gle/4bxyUaucEGcZTaTe8

Terence Ching is a US-based Chinese Singaporean currently completing his Ph.D. in clinical psychology at the University of Connecticut. Terence has assumed a co-therapist role in a MAPS-sponsored trial of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD, where he infused the research process with culturally-informed recruitment and assessment procedures. Terence is working on his doctoral dissertation with an emphasis on examining possible differences in efficacy of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD between white participants and participants of color across MAPS-sponsored study sites. We spoke about intersectionality, diversity with regards to identity, and how psychedelics can change conditions previously thought of as intractable, such as Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. and . . . Do you want to know more about sacred plant medicine and psilocybin? If you’re interested in sacred plant medicine, we encourage you to register for Esalen’s upcoming series with Entheowheel. Learn everything you want to know as Esalen presents DNA Journeys’ Entheowheel: The Ceremony and Science of Psilocybin. This educational and experiential event will be live-streamed from Esalen from April 23 to April 26, 2021.  The online odyssey will be guided by: Jyoti Ma, Xochitl Ashe, Paul Stamets & Pam Kryskow (live streaming from Canada), East Forest, Millana Snow, Justin Boretta, Allan Badiner, Dream Mullick, James Fadiman (live streaming from CA), Robin Carhart-Harris (live streaming from the UK), Grace Oh, Rhada Wapner and a digital transmission from Francoise Bourzat. Secure your place for this online experience now: https://www.esalen.org/workshops/entheowheel-the-ceremony-and-science-of-psilocybin-live-stream-experiential-event Scholarships for BIPOC folks who want to attend are available - to apply, head to: https://forms.gle/4bxyUaucEGcZTaTe8

Laura Dev is a Postdoctoral scholar in public political ecology at UC Merced whose work investigates the relations and practices surrounding ayahuasca, a psychoactive plant mixture, focusing on the pathways by which plants, rituals, and knowledge associated with the use of ayahuasca travel between Shipibo communities in the rural Peruvian Amazon and the Global North. Together we chatted about global ayahuasca tourism, why ayahuasca became fashionable among middle-class and upper middle-class American searchers and seekers, the various specificities of the "Ayahuasca Economy," how spiritual use of plants can transform native landscapes, what socially responsible use may look like, how Laura asks for and receives wisdom from plants and sometimes helpful writing advice. To follow her work and stay updated on news about her book: lauradev.com For organizations in the Amazon to support - Laura recommends Alianza Arkana: www.alianzaarkana.org Laura is also working directly with Farmacia Viva Shipibo Sanken Yaka, a Shipibo-run organization that protects and preserves medicinal plants and traditional knowledge in their community: www.farmaciavivashipibo.org

Charlotte James and Undrea Wright are the founders ofThe Sabina Project, a Black-led platform for psychedelic education, legal ceremonies, and integration whose mission is to return reverence to sacred earth medicine ways, to look to and learn from ancestral practices, and to support radical self-transformation in the name of collective liberation. We spoke about what just and equitable modes of interaction with psychedelic medicine looks like to Charlotte and Dre, who they were ten years ago and how plant medicine has changed their lives, what's most challenging when it comes to educating about anti-Black racism, whether there's a distinctly African psychedelic tradition (there is, and Iboga is an example), what is Kambo, if there is required reading for this moment, and finally, how the founders have been able to manifest their dreams and embody the change they wish to see in the world. Visit Charlotte and Dre online at www.thesabinaproject.com

Ismail Ali is Policy & Advocacy Counsel for the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies, otherwise known as MAPS. His job is advocating to eliminate barriers to psychedelic therapy and research by developing and implementing legal and policy strategy. In this interview, Ismail discusses the history of the war on drugs, the intrinsic differences between drug decriminalization and legalization, how MAPS has been able to achieve specific goals with the FDA under the Trump administration, Joe Biden’s "tough-on-crime-Democratic-Party" drug policy history, with respect to the R.A.V.E. act and the 1994 Crime Bill, how medical insurance will play in a landscape where psychedelics may become legalized or medicalized, how MAPS has become a thought leader with regards to social justice within the field of psychedelics, and whether Ismail believes psychedelics can bestow a knowledge of unity, oneness, and connectedness that can affect views and policy on racism and environmentalism.