Voices of Esalen

For the past several years, I’ve been lucky enough to work closely with the famed and slightly disorganized Esalen archives, diving deep into the history of this extraordinary place. I’ve fashioned several multimedia talks out of the material that I’ve uncovered, one on the history of altered states at Esalen, another on the 1970s and 80s. And recently, I had one of those rare, thrilling moments that every archive enthusiast—every crate digger, like me—dreams of. A while back, I made a trip out to a storage facility near the Monterey Airport, with the producer of this podcast, Shira Levine, and we found boxes upon boxes of historical materials—photographs, slides, notes, VHS tapes, catalogs. As I sifted through them, I stumbled upon something incredible: a box filled with 5” reel-to-reel tapes, very likely recorded in the 1960s and ’70s by a man named Paul Herbert. This was the kind of find that makes you stop in your tracks. Material that had been thought lost—or at the very least, forgotten—suddenly resurfaced in my hands. As I carefully unraveled the reels, I realized I was holding audio time capsules, voices and ideas from Esalen’s past waiting to be rediscovered. Today, I’m sharing one of those recordings. This reel was titled Music from the Big Sur Mountains, and to be completely honest, even after having listened to it, I’m not sure exactly what year it comes from. Based on what I know, I’d place it somewhere between the mid-1960s and mid-1970s. And it is exactly what it sounds like: music from the mountains of Big Sur. You’ll hear musicians local to the area playing hand drums, outside, in the mystic air. But it’s more than just drumming. This recording is alive with the sounds of Esalen itself—the rhythm of hands on drums, the voices of vocalists, the barks of dogs, the laughter and shouts of children, who are more than likely in their 50s and 60s now. It’s a time capsule, a window into a world that no longer exists in quite the same way. - podcast description by Sam Stern and ChatGPT Sam's recent talk at the Berkeley Alembic on The History of Esalen in the 1970s and 80s: https://www.youtube.com/live/4AhzcvwsVT8

Shannon Algeo is a psychotherapist, author, and teacher. He is also a Soul Coach, Yoga Nidra teacher, and the founder of Soulumination Meditation. Shannon works with clients to heal patterns of trauma so they can show up in the world with presence, purpose, and peace. His work has been featured in Rolling Stone, ABC news, and Yoga Journal. Shannon came to Esalen in December of 2024 to lead a workshop on smartphone addiction. Together we spoke about attachment theory and how it figures into technology addiction, what it feels like to be in Big Sur, detached from your phone, and the digital personas we create and how we attempt to live up to them. https://www.shannonalgeo.com/

Deborah Eden Tull is a leading Buddhist and EcoDharma teacher whose wisdom has touched countless lives. Recently, Eden and her husband, Mark, faced a life-altering tragedy when Hurricane Helene swept through Western North Carolina, destroying their home as well as all their belongings, and very nearly claiming their lives. Eden has long been a powerful voice urging humanity to face the climate crisis with clarity and courage, and her teachings feel especially poignant in light of this personal loss. In this conversation, we explore her reflections on resilience, interconnection, and how we can meet these challenging times with open hearts. Here's the link to Eden's gripping 10-minute video that captures the aftermath of Hurricane Helene: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DAtjmAEy8eR/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== YouTube: https://youtu.be/jH32y0ooVYQ?si=zFeZj74REz9GFCNJ Please consider donating to Eden's GoFundMe: https://gofund.me/fccff9a1 You can also visit their GoFund Me by simply searching for "GoFund Me Deborah Eden Tull." Deborah Eden Tull's website: deborahedentull.com Mark D'Aquila's website: essencealchemy.com Link to Mark’s Stress relief Flower Essence’s blend : https://www.essencealchemy.com/blogs/floweressences/stress-relief-blend-november-2024-essence-of-the-month

Dr. Victor Santiago Pineda is a globally recognized scholar, disability rights advocate, social impact entrepreneur, and international consultant on accessibility and inclusion. Born in Caracas, Venezuela, Dr. Pineda was diagnosed with a form of muscular dystrophy as a child, a challenge that inspired his lifelong commitment to advancing the rights and dignity of people with disabilities. He became the youngest delegate involved in drafting the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, a groundbreaking treaty that has impacted millions around the world. Dr. Pineda holds degrees in political economy, business administration, city and regional planning, and a PhD in urban planning from UCLA, where his research on disability rights and urban development garnered international acclaim. As the founder of the Pineda Foundation and World Enabled, he has spearheaded initiatives that have brought global attention to the inclusion of disabled youth in education, employment, and policy-making. His innovative projects, such as "It's Our Story," an oral history project documenting the lived experiences of people with disabilities, and "It's About Ability," an educational program for children, have been translated into multiple languages and received international awards. Beyond his scholarly and advocacy work, Dr. Pineda is also a filmmaker, author, and thought leader whose work spans the fields of urban planning, human rights, and social innovation. He has advised organizations like UNICEF, UNESCO, the World Bank, and national governments on creating inclusive policies and practices. Dr. Pineda’s visionary leadership continues to redefine how societies view accessibility, equality, and the potential of all individuals, regardless of their abilities. On this episode of Voices of Esalen, we delve into his remarkable journey, groundbreaking initiatives, and powerful vision for a more inclusive world. See Dr. Pineda's documentary trailer: https://vimeo.com/683584121/d3a028d293

Josef London has been a cornerstone of the Esalen community for more than 30 years. In our conversation Josef shares about the leap of faith that brought him to Esalen from Rio de Janeiro in search of healing, transformation, and a place to call home. Today, guests know him from the Gate; he is one of the first people they meet upon arriving at Esalen. He has a delightful smile, but what they may not know is that Josef is steeped in the philosophy of Gestalt, and that he is decidedly not conflict averse - rather, he believes that conflict is where the truth comes out. Yet that at the same time, Josef believes fun is mandatory. He is a lover, with a huge heart, and in this conversation he speaks lovingly and at length about the love he lost, his wife Montgomery. You'll be touched by this conversation with one of Esalen's memorable characters. "Thank you so much." Photo by Kate Kondratieva

Chandra Easton is a senior Dharma teacher, author, and translator of Tibetan Buddhist texts. She is well renowned for her efforts to elevate the empowered feminine in Buddhism. Chandra has a deep lineage of study under the guidance of prominent Tibetan and Western Buddhist teachers, beginning her journey in Buddhist practice at the age of four. She’s spent decades bridging traditional Tibetan teachings with a modern approach, making profound wisdom practices accessible and relevant for today’s world. We spoke together live at Esalen this fall where we explored her latest book, "Embodying Tara: Twenty-One Manifestations to Awaken Your Innate Wisdom", diving deep into themes of ego, suffering, and the transformative practice known as 'Feed Your Demons.'

John Marks is the founder of Search for Common Ground, an international NGO whose purpose is to end violent conflict around the world. In 2018, Search was nominated for a Nobel Peace prize. Over the years some of their notable work has included helping to avert genocide in Burundi, supporting free elections in Liberia and Sierra Leone, and creating training in the Democratic Republic of Congo to curb sexual assault. Marks is the author of the new book From Vision to Action, Remaking the world through Social Entrepreneurship. Together, we spoke about how Esalen helped to launch his work and what he’s learned in over 40 years of track 2, or citizen diplomacy. BIO: John Marks had an unconventional path to peacemaking, starting as a critic of the CIA and becoming a renowned social entrepreneur. Marks resigned from the State Department in 1970 to protest the United States' invasion of Cambodia. He co-authored a bestselling book, The CIA and the Cult of Intelligence, which exposed abuses committed by the CIA. His second book, which won a major award for investigative reporting, also focused on CIA abuses. In 1982, Marks founded Search for Common Ground (Search), an organization dedicated to conflict resolution and peacebuilding. Marks's journey showcases a remarkable shift from a career focused on exposing wrongdoing to a life dedicated to building common ground and fostering peace. Marks and his colleagues at Search were known as "Searchers," highlighting their dedication to seeking solutions and common ground in conflict situations.

Akuyoe Graham is founder of the Spirit Awakening Foundation, an arts based non-profit dedicated to helping underserved youth in the juvenile justice system. Since 1995, SA has been a pioneer in developing restorative, trauma-informed prevention and intervention programs to incarcerated and systems-involved young people in Los Angeles County. Using the tools of meditation, self-reflection, creative writing, visual arts, mentorship, service, and leadership training, all of which have been guided by evidence-based research, SAF is able to accomplish their mission to help underserved youth build character and raise self-esteem. Visit them and be inspired: https://www.spiritawakening.org And now for some upcoming Esalen offerings: Are you a transgender, non-binary, gender-fluid or gender-exploring individual interested in a deep exploration of  your own gender journey and building community connections? Join Ben Geilhufe and Dr. Jen Hastings at Esalen, July 9th through July 11th, for “Gender Journeys: Exploring Identity in Community”  to explore how gender impacts, influences and informs your day-to-day experiences with both lecture-based sessions and a wide range of personal exploration modalities, including art, movement, and journaling. Find out more or enroll now: https://www.esalen.org/workshops/gender-journeys-exploring-identity-in-community Join us in Big Sur July 23rd to 25th for Reclaiming Your Authentic Power, a workshop led by Justin Michael Williams award-winning instructor and author of Stay Woke: A Meditation Guide for the Rest of Us. In this dynamic three-day course, you’ll break toxic habits, uncover hidden fears, and make behavioral changes to help you overcome personal patterns standing in the way of your goals. Find out more or enroll now https://www.esalen.org/workshops/reclaiming-your-authentic-power Join long-time Esalen instructor Dorothy Charles for Relational Gestalt Practice: The Transformative Power of Emotion, in which youll learn basic gestalt awareness practices to help you recognize limiting relational patterns and enhance your ability to have positive connections with others. This workshop takes place July 26th to July 30th at Esalen. Find out more or enroll now: https://www.esalen.org/workshops/relational-gestalt-practice-the-transformative-power-of-emotion

Suzanne Simard is a Professor of Forest Ecology at the University of British Columbia as well as the author of the excellent new memoir, “Finding the Mother Tree: Discovering the Wisdom of the Forest.” Suzanne is a pioneer on the frontier of plant communication and intelligence; she’s been hailed as a scientist who conveys complex, technical ideas in a way that is dazzling and profound. Her TED talks have been viewed by more than 10 million people worldwide. Together, we discussed her scientific findings, the dangers of deforestation, how her literary and scientific proclivities intertwine, and what it’s like to have a character in a pulitzer prize winning novel based on her (Richard Powers' "The Overstory"). She's a rather amazing person, passionate about the future of the planet and our shared existence with old-growth forests. Coming up soon at Esalen: Our sense of self develops in connection with others, and our experience in early relationships shapes our beliefs — about ourselves, other people and what is possible for us in our lives. Join long-time Esalen instructor Dorothy Charles for Relational Gestalt Practice: The Transformative Power of Emotion, in which you’ll learn basic gestalt awareness practices to help you recognize limiting relational patterns and enhance your ability to have positive connections with others. This workshop takes place July 26th to July 30th in Big Sur. Find out more or enroll now: https://www.esalen.org/workshops/relational-gestalt-practice-the-transformative-power-of-emotion Did you know that Esalen has a scholarship program? We believe that money should never stand in the way of human potential. Esalen offers a generous student scholarship program that features: Awards of up to 90% of workshop tuition and accommodation Scholarship for qualifying travel A convenient, online application process A mission-driven goal to increase diversity Apply today at http://www.esalen.org/scholarshipFall20 for more information. A growing number of people are aware of the Enneagram as an accurate and profound map of personality. The nine Enneagram types are based on the three primary centers of intelligence: thinking, emotion and instinct. The Transformational Enneagram: Mindfulness, Insight and Experience, a new workshop led by Russ Hudson will emphasize recognizing the ways that each of the nine types plays out in our own personalities. It will combine psychological insight into the inner workings of the types with meditation practices and exercises to lead you toward a more direct experience of qualities of essence such as presence, clarity, compassion and joy. Conversational instruction will be combined with group meditations, small-group work, physical movements and music so that you can more fully integrate the richness of the Enneagram material into their daily work and relationships. The workshop will run from August 8-13 at Esalen in Big Sur. Register now: https://www.esalen.org/workshops/the-transformational-enneagram-mindfulness-insight-and-experience

Today we celebrate Bicycle Day, a modern semi-holiday (unrecognized by official governmental agencies yet observed by psychedelic enthusiasts across the globe) that commemorates Swiss chemist Albert Hoffman’s bike ride home from his lab on April 19th, 1943, after ingesting 250 micrograms of lysergic acid diethlymide, and in the process creating the world's first recorded intentional LSD trip. When Hoffman originally synthesized the compound in 1938, in the Sandoz Pharmeacuticals laboratory, in Basel, he had deemed it next to useless, and put it up on the shelf to be forgotten - but five years later, something within him told him to take a second look. The rest, as they say, is history. Today’s Voices of Esalen episode is a treasure drawn from our extensive archives - an interview with Albert Hoffman himself, conducted by none other than Stanislav Grof, sometimes known as the godfather of LSD psychotherapy. Grof was a Czechoslovakian psychoanalyst who was enormously influenced by Hoffman’s discovery of LSD; in his research in Czechoslovakia he oversaw tens of thousands of supervised therapeutic LSD trips. Grof would emigrate to the United States in the late 1960’s, a move precipitated by the Soviet invasion of his country. Grof spent more than ten years as a teacher in residence at the Esalen Institute during the 1970’s and 80’s, where he developed the practice of holotropic breath work and became one of the founders of the school of transpersonal psychology. In this interview, Grof and Hoffman explore a host of topics, including Hoffman’s discovery of LSD and how on his first trip, Hoffman freaked out and thought he was going insane, then thought he was dying; how Hoffman then became aware that his new discovery would have immense significance to the field of psychiatry; why Hoffman believed LSD could be used as a model psychosis and a way to study schizophrenia; how Hoffman collaborated with amateur mycologist R. Gordon Wasson to create a synthetic version of so-called magic mushrooms, which would be known as psilocybin; how Hoffman traveled to Mexico to deliver this modern version of mushrooms to the famed curandera Maria Sabina, who had introduced Wasson to the mushrooms in the first place, and more. They end this interview by speaking about Hoffman’s reaction to the way LSD escaped the laboratory and infiltrated culture during the turbulent 1960s. This interview was conducted at Esalen Institute in 1984 - just one part of the ever evolving and complex tapestry of history that unfolded here in Big Sur.