Week of August 22-27, 2010

Belonging to Earth: Finding Our Place in Nature

In every moment of our lives we are supported by natural systems both seen and unseen. Yet, in our culture, many of us are cut off from the natural world. We have little contact with wild nature, little idea of where we live, and little notion of what directly sustains our daily life. Esalen, surrounded and sustained by wild natural systems, is an ideal place to learn more about our sense of place, of nature, and of belonging to this earth.

This program will explore our relationship to the earth through increasing our knowledge of the basic life and earth sciences, and increasing awareness of self and nature. Participants will be introduced to an overview of the natural sciences and then to the geology, weather, ecology, native peoples, flora, and fauna that make up the incredible landscape we call Big Sur.

This workshop will include evening introductory lectures, dialogue, and day-hikes that venture into Big Sur’s backcountry for field sessions that expand our practical knowledge of nature and, more specifically, of Big Sur. Attention will be paid to how we take our newfound ecoliteracy and integrate it with how we sense our belonging so that we may more fully inhabit this extraordinary third planet from the sun.

This program is open to all levels of experience in hiking and the natural sciences. Participants should be prepared to hike in varied terrain (4-6 miles), enjoy periods of silence, and have a curiosity about nature and our place in the world.

($20 park-entrance fees paid directly to the leader)

Reservations Information (Accommodations & Pricing)