Related Pages: Big Sur, Travel, Yoga & Meditation
Esalen Institute
www.esalen.org
Description: The Esalen Institute was founded in 1962 as an alternative educational center devoted to the exploration of what Aldous Huxley called the "human potential," the world of unrealized human capacities that lies beyond the imagination.
Category:
Travel, Yoga & Meditation
Keywords:
workshop, retreat, education, spirituality, yoga, art classes
Address:
55000 Highway 1 map
Big Sur, CA
93920
Reviews of Esalen Institute
Prayaga
The Esalen Institute is built on the Indian burial ground of the Esalen Indians. It was considered a holy place, a Prayaga which in Sanskrit means a meeting-place for three rivers. In Esalen's case, salt water, fresh water, and sulfur, mineral water. Anywhere there is this meeting-place on earth is considered sacred, universally. I had the privilege of living at Esalen for almost 2 years, along the Pacific in Big Sur, California, and I can attest to the sheer power and alchemy of the land. Not so much a retreat center, though it certainly can function as one, Esalen is more of a place to go inside (as well as connect with others) in order to contact the Source, and to struggle against the currents within oneself so as to become ever-renewed by the majesties that be. It's a good place to rest in struggle, and in some ways it's a deeper retreat into life, given of course that you emerge back into the real world afterwards. It's not an escape from life so much as a collision.
Abendigo R.'s keywords: esalen, institute, prayaga, retreat, big sur, california
Was this review helpful to you?
A place that calls to you
Esalen is the most beautiful place I have ever been. Beyond natural beauty, which it certainly has its share of, there is a beauty of serenity and purpose that has a special place in my heart, mind and soul. Esalen, named for the Essalen Indians who lived on this land for hundreds of years, is a place to come for no reason at all, or because of the most important reasons you can imagine. Amory Lovins has called it an accupuncture point on the planet, and many believe that the space between the worlds is thinner on these 27 acres of the magnificent Big Sur coastline. Leading global teachers on topics from art, to psychology, to relationships, career development, spiritual evolution and more, come year-round to Esalen. The guests, also known as "seminarians" enjoy a peaceful retreat with great food, incredible hot tubs hanging on a cliff above the Pacific, and the invitation to challenge themselves and explore their own potential. You'll meet friends for life here. I met my wife.
James E.'s keywords: spiritual, retreat, classes, seminars, workshops, organic garden, hot tubs, natural spinrgs, redwood
Was this review helpful to you?
best massage on an ocean side cliff
I got a massage here upon a recommendation of one of my coworkers. I wasn't planning on getting one since I felt like I was already spending a fortune on just staying there for the weekend for a workshop, but he convinced me that it would be worth it. I don't regret it. In fact, it's probably one of the best massages I've had in my life. Tom was my massage therapist and he gave me the most nurturing, tingly massage I think I've ever had. His technique involved pulling my limbs in very careful ways that seemed to stretch out my body and reach little tied up knots that needed to be undone. He also used just the right amount of pressure on my back and everywhere. I was so happy after my massage that I didn't want to leave the table and view of the crashing waves and ocean below. At $150 / hour, it's not cheap, but definitely the best place to get a massage in my book and I've been to Hawaii, Costa Rica and to spas in San Francisco to try out massages. I hope to go back.
Haru K.'s keywords: massage, esalen, body work
Was this review helpful to you?
