The wild landscapes of Big Sur feel undeniably alive: ancient redwoods shelter a sparkling creek on its way to the sea, birds fill the oak woodlands with song at sunrise, and fog moves across chaparral bluffs, brushing sagebrush and sandstone cliffs. In this biodiverse setting, every cove, meadow, and forest seems animated by presence, awareness, and agency.
Yet many of us have been shaped by a modern Western worldview marked by human exceptionalism and reductionist materialism, one that makes it harder to sense the intelligence and vitality of the natural world. We are taught to notice scenery instead of sentience, and resources instead of relationship. That distance from the Earth can leave us feeling isolated and can contribute to environmental harm.
Animism, one of humanity’s oldest worldviews, offers another way of seeing. It understands the cosmos and everything within it as awake, alive, and inherently valuable. From this perspective, the world is a vast family of interconnected kin, each with its own perspective, gifts, dignity, and knowing.
Over five days, participants are invited into this deeper relational reality through mindful hiking on Big Sur trails on Esselen tribal lands, time spent in the wild, and playful practices that help refine attention and intuition. Rather than treating animism as a belief system, this workshop approaches it as a lived practice: a patient, embodied turning toward the living land as companion and teacher.
This workshop encourages us to remember our kinship with all life, our belonging to the Earth, and our connection to deeper-time ancestors. By meeting these older ways of being and knowing, we are invited to joyfully step back into an enchanted, animate world.
Notes: Answers to frequently asked questions about the workshop can be found here.
This workshop includes many outdoor physical practices and substantial walking, including two long-form hikes and one half-day hike. A range of hiking abilities can be accommodated, though the long hikes are up to seven miles and take place over uneven, often steep terrain. Participants must be able to sit on the ground, practice outdoors in all weather, and get a little dirty. If you have questions about your ability to participate, please read the workshop FAQs or email.
An additional $100 fee to cover parks permits and parking fees is included in the workshop cost.
Summer Groovers will experience Esalen in a format similar to our Self Guided Explorations workshops. Each Summer Groove week or weekend opens and closes with a circle, and includes festive, nostalgic activities that evoke days gone by.
More activities can be found on our open class schedule.
Designed for shared stays, this room type accommodates four to six guests in a welcoming, gender-inclusive setting, with a maximum stay of seven consecutive days. It’s a practical choice for retreat participants who value comfort, simplicity, and a sense of community during their time away.
Each bunk room includes twin-size bunk beds and a private bathroom with a shower, offering the privacy and convenience guests need throughout their stay. Fresh towels, bath soap, and bed linens are provided, so you can settle in with ease and focus on your experience rather than the details.
With its straightforward layout and thoughtfully provided essentials, this accommodation supports a restful and uncomplicated stay, making it well suited for those looking to share space while still enjoying comfort and functionality.
Ideal for guests who want a more social stay without the atmosphere of a dorm, this cozy shared room offers a comfortable and practical setup for up to three people of the same gender. The space is arranged with three beds: two on the main floor and one tucked into a sleeping loft, creating a simple, welcoming environment that still feels private and restful.
Each room includes an in-room bathroom with a shower, making daily routines easy and convenient. To help you settle in with ease, towels, bath soap, and bed linens are all provided. Whether you are traveling for a retreat, a wellness stay, or a peaceful getaway with others, this room offers a warm balance of connection, comfort, and simplicity.
Designed for guests seeking a little extra privacy, this inviting room offers a peaceful place to unwind within the charming, Big Sur-inspired motel atmosphere of the property. Thoughtfully located for convenience, it overlooks the main campus and garden, giving you a calming view to return to throughout your stay.
Inside, you’ll find a private bathroom and a comfortable setting that supports rest, simplicity, and easy access to the wider retreat experience. It’s an ideal choice for solo travelers or couples looking for a quiet, well-situated space to recharge between wellness activities, meals, and moments of relaxation.
If you’d like to share the room, one additional guest may join for an extra $250 per night.
Fletcher Tucker is a co-founder of Wildtender, a Big Sur-based organization devoted to cultivating kinship with the natural world and exploring earth-based wisdom traditions. His work brings together writing, music, and multidisciplinary art, all grounded in a deep relationship with place and the living landscape. Through his creative and teaching presence, Fletcher invites others into a more attentive way of relating...
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Mon, Aug 17 – Fri, Aug 21