Voices of Esalen

In part 5 of Esalen's Psychedelic Integration series, mycologist Paul Stamets, UC Berkeley professor of neurobiology David Presti, and psychiatrist Ben Sessa explore the contemporary landscape of psilocybin mushrooms, touching upon how mushrooms can help treat depression and other chronic illnesses, the concepts of synchronicity and hyper-focus, how the intravenous administration of psilocybin functions in a clinical setting, and the interconnected nature of the mind and body. Paul Stamets then proposes a mycologically-based solution to help combat bee colony collapse disorder.

Rick Doblin is the founder and executive director of MAPS, the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies. He’s been a tireless proponent of the effort to develop legal contexts for the beneficial uses of psychedelics. At Esalen, he discussed the historical trajectory of MAPS, the legal narrative surrounding psychedelics - in particular MDMA - and why MDMA-assisted psychotherapy has been proven to be so effective for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. He also spoke on what the future holds for clinical trials, and how the Esalen Institute was foundational to his journey.

Michael Pollan's keynote address from the Psychedelic Integration Conference at Esalen Institute, 2019, is part two of a seven-part series drawn from the week's lectures. Pollan is the author of six New York Times bestsellers: "Cooked," "Food Rules; In Defense of Food"; "The Omnivore’s Dilemma," "The Botany of Desire," and now “How to Change Your Mind: What the New Science of Psychedelics Teaches Us About Consciousness, Dying, Addiction, Depression, and Transcendence,” a masterful book written by one of the leading immersive journalists of our time. Historically, the field of psychedelics is controversial, and controversy naturally arouses a certain degree of suspicion and distrust, particularly for the uninitiated. But when Michael Pollan talks, people listen. And that’s because he consistently brings a beginner’s mind, armed with a healthy dose of skepticism, to the table. His speech at Esalen was much like his writing- articulate, lucid, and underscored by a palpable desire to effect positive change. A question and answer session followed Michael’s initial speech; to preserve the confidentiality of the participants, we’ve eliminated the questions, and only presented the answers. His speech was also edited for clarity and for pacing. So please enjoy the psychonaut you can bring home for dinner - Michael Pollan.

The first in a 7-part series, this episode will present a sampler of some of the most notable moments of the 2019 Psychedelic Integration Conference at the Esalen Institute. Environmentalist, conference convener, and Buddhist author Allan Badiner introduces each of the participants, and discusses why psychedelics have become a key touchstone in our current society. Over the course of this 7-episode arc, you'll hear from Michael Pollan, Rick Doblin (MAPS), Paul Stamets, Dr. Ben Sessa, Julie Holland (Moody Bitches, The Pot Book), Marsha Rosenbaum, Kristi and David Panik, Martin Lee (Acid Dreams, and other leading experts in the field.

Linda Bloom, LCSW and Charlie Bloom, MSW, are psychotherapists and relationship counselors. They have worked with individuals, couples, groups, and organizations since 1975, and have been married since 1972. In a very open and candid conversation, they share a host of actionable tips culled from their decades of experience with couples. Together we addressed whether couples should share their finance, whether they should be best friends, if it's okay to go to bed angry, the importance of having a strong sexual connection, how to have useful disagreements, how to apologize from the heart, and much more.

During the Esalen Inspirational Film Festival, Ricki Lake stopped by to talk about her new documentary film, "Weed The People," which advocates for the use of cannabis for pediatric cancer patients, citing palliative care advantages as well as tumor shrinkage. She also spoke about a host of topics, including her breakthrough film, "Hairspray," advice she got from John Waters, her first foray into documentary film as a producer (with "The Business of Being Born"), her eleven-year stint as a talk show host, what it was like to Dance with the Stars, and how bereavement has changed her as a person.

Michael Ableman is a farmer, author, photographer and urban and local food systems advocate. Michael has been farming organically since the early 1970′s and is considered one of the pioneers of the organic farming and urban agriculture movements. He is a frequent lecturer to audiences all over the world, and winner of numerous awards for his work. He is also the founder of the Center for Urban Agriculture at Fairview Gardens; co-founder and director of Sole Food Street Farms, and founder and director of the Center for Arts, Ecology and Agriculture based at his family home and farm on Salt Spring Island in British Columbia. He's an awesome person, and this interview is well worth a listen.

Peggy Horan is a longtime Esalen staff member, known far and wide for her exceptional work as an Esalen massage therapist and massage teacher. She has been practicing and teaching Esalen Massage for four decades and is the author of Connecting Through Touch, A Couples Massage Book. It was my pleasure to visit Peggy recently at her home on Gorda mountain, which she shares with her husband, artist Richard Horan. I’m joined in the interview process by Lucia Horan, Peggy’s eldest daughter, who assisted me in delving into the rich legacy and history of a beloved and respected community member. We spoke about a host of topics, including the evolution of Esalen massage, midwifery in Big Sur in the 1980's, and what Esalen was like when she arrived in 1969.

The esteemed Michael Murphy is the co-founder of the Esalen Institute, and a very smart guy; this is accepted as established fact. What’s somewhat less known about Michael is that he is a sports nut - and an expert on mysticism within the realm of sports. In 1972, Murphy published his first book, Golf in the Kingdom, which went on to sell more than one million copies, becoming a cult classic among athletes, with many celebrity fans, among them Phil Jackson, Bill Murray, and Tom Smothers. He is also the author of In the Zone: Transcendent Experiences in Sports, (with Rhea White), which, in the words of historian Jeffrey Kripal, “makes the case that there is a kind of spiritual underground in the sports world, and that the psychodynamics of athletics - extreme discipline, physical suffering, risk-taking, scripted trauma - bear some rather striking resemblances to the earlier cultural patterns of shamanism and mysticism.” In the Zone, in fact, is a book of case studies that make the compelling argument that sports may constitute an arena made for shifting consciousness and spontaneously inducing mystical states. So let’s dive deep - with the golfing yogi, the shaman of San Francisco ... 49ers - Mr. Michael Murphy.

Paul Selig is a psychic gifted with the skill of clairvoyance. He is sometimes described as a “medium for the living.” Paul is also the award-winning author of many channeled texts, including I am the Word, the book of Love and Creation, the Book of Mastery, and most recently, the Book of Freedom. Of course, Paul will tell you he transcribes these books, rather than writes them - that the true authors of these books are his guides. Today he brings us into the "upper room," offers insight into his own guides, speaks about the importance of Esalen on his work, and indulges Sam with a bit of channeled guidance regarding some of his personal concerns.