Esalen Institute

We believe that our capacity for creativity, much like the universe itself, is boundless. This belief serves as a moral imperative, guiding our scientific research, education, legislation, and personal decisions, as we strive for further human development.

While many know Esalen for its public workshops, there is a lesser-known side accessible only by invitation, where big ideas are nurtured and cultivated.

Esalen’s Center for Theory & Research (CTR) was established in 1998 to revive and formalize our original vision. It organizes private symposia, gathering renowned intellectuals and practitioners to explore focused themes, aiming to revitalize human potentials suppressed by modern cultures, which are now emerging alongside new scientific discoveries.

Often associated with mystical experiences, psychical phenomena, or extraordinary achievements, these “evolutionary buds” are explored through various disciplines at Esalen, including philosophy, psychology, quantum physics, and citizen diplomacy, among others. Over nearly three decades, CTR has hosted hundreds of private meetings that have had a profound cultural and political impact.

CTR’s mission is to foster a “school” where theory, research, and practice evolve together to embody our latent supernature. Its focus areas include research on extraordinary human capacities, citizen diplomacy with Russia and China, food reformation, and promoting peace among Muslims, Christians, and Jews.

In promoting Big Ideas for Bigger Thinking, CTR fills gaps left by traditional institutions, tackling controversial or novel topics that fall between disciplinary boundaries. It champions the development of individuals and communities in all aspects of life—body, mind, heart, and soul.

https://www.esalen.org/

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