The Power in Your Hands: Turning from Screens to Souls
Description
What might change if you set your phone aside and return to the life waiting in your own hands?
Over the last twenty years, technology has profoundly altered our minds, relationships, and communities. Today, the average person spends the equivalent of 61 to 80 days each year on a smartphone. As apps compete relentlessly for our attention, human empathy continues to erode.
Even if phone-centered living feels exhausting or discouraging, your agency remains. Your hands carry the lineage of your ancestors. What is ready to move through them now? This workshop offers an invitation to reclaim focus, creativity, presence, and a deeper sense of humanity. Together, we will explore the effects of the digital age while reconnecting with the somatic wisdom of the body and the intelligence of the soul.
Recent research also shows that insecure attachment styles, whether anxious or avoidant, can increase vulnerability to compulsive smartphone use, as digital connection becomes a substitute for a secure human bond. By strengthening our ability to turn toward one another, we can practice re-parenting ourselves and begin healing relational wounds from the past.
Each day includes:
- Morning meditation for connecting with the inner self.
- Lectures examining technology’s psychological and relational effects.
- Guided exercises to reflect on attachment histories and styles.
- Interpersonal practices designed to replace screen time with genuine connection.
- A collective ritual supporting an intentional 72-hour offline period.
- Poetry therapy, movement, ritual, a song circle, and nature-based meditation to awaken creative energy.
- Community gatherings for rest and restoration, including Yoga Nidra to attune to the technology of the heart.
The digital era asks for a renaissance of re-humanization. The wild landscape of Big Sur offers a powerful setting to reawaken the soul and reclaim your power. Come make meaningful changes that honor your whole self.
Recommended reading: The Power in Your Hands: Liberate Yourself from Attachment to Technology by Shannon Algeo, Stolen Focus by Johann Hari, Digital Minimalism by Cal Newport, Trust Your Truth by Shannon Algeo
Live Extended Education Program
Join a cohort of 16 learners in a rigorous course of study, totaling up to 26 hours per week over either two weeks or four weeks, depending on the program. As an integral part of the curriculum, you will also dedicate 26 hours each week to service in one of Esalen’s operational departments.
Accommodations
LEEP student housing is dorm-style, gender-inclusive, and shared by four students per room.
Tuition & Fees
Tuition is $1600 for two-week programs and $2900 for four-week programs, and includes accommodations, meals, and the workshop. A non-refundable $20 application fee is collected when you apply and applied to your deposit if you are accepted. Upon acceptance, a non-refundable deposit of $480 secures your place in two-week programs, and $870 secures your place in four-week programs.
Accommodation Options
Bunk Bed
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.
Standard Shared
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.
Standard Queen
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.
Standard Two Beds
Settle into a relaxed stay surrounded by the charming motel-inspired atmosphere of Big Sur. This Standard Two Double Beds room offers a comfortable, unfussy space designed for easy rest and shared travel. With two double beds and a private bathroom, it is a practical choice for friends, couples, or family members looking to enjoy time together while still having room to unwind.
The room’s simple, welcoming feel makes it easy to slow down after a day of exploring, reconnecting, or simply enjoying a peaceful break. Whether you are traveling for a quiet getaway or a shared adventure, this space provides the comfort and privacy you need for a restful stay.
Premium Queen
Designed for a serene Central Coast escape, this room invites you to slow down, breathe deeply, and settle into a truly restful stay. A luxurious queen bed creates a comforting place to unwind after a day of exploring, offering the kind of refuge that feels both elevated and easy. The atmosphere is warm and relaxing, with thoughtful details that help guests feel instantly at ease.
Depending on the room, you may enjoy one or more of the following features:
- Ocean or forest view
- Upgraded bathrooms and decor
- Private outdoor area
Whether you are here for a peaceful getaway or simply looking for a more refined place to rest, this room offers a welcoming balance of comfort, charm, and natural beauty.
Premium Plus King
Settle into a Premium Plus King room and take in the breathtaking beauty of Big Sur from a space designed for rest and renewal. After a day of exploring the coastline, unwind on a private deck in an upstairs unit or a patio on the ground level, both offering a front-row seat to the ocean views. Inside, picture windows welcome in natural light and create a calm, airy atmosphere from morning to evening.
These accommodations are ideal for guests seeking the comfort of a king-size bed along with thoughtful upgrades throughout. Expect elevated bathrooms and decor, plus premium in-room WiFi for added convenience during your stay. With its blend of comfort, style, and unforgettable scenery, this room offers a serene retreat for travelers looking to experience Big Sur at its most inspiring.
Premium Yurt
Set against the dramatic beauty of Big Sur, this premium wooden yurt offers a peaceful stay with a strong sense of place. After a day of exploring the coastline, unwind on your private deck and take in the sweeping ocean views in total privacy. Inside, the space is designed for rest and ease, with a queen-size bed, a comfortable sitting area, and picture windows that welcome in the morning light.
Thoughtfully appointed for guests seeking a more secluded Big Sur experience, this yurt also includes an en suite bathroom and premium in-room WiFi for added convenience. It’s an inviting choice for travelers who want to feel close to nature without giving up comfort, privacy, or a restful night’s sleep.
- Ocean views
- Private deck
- Queen-size bed and sitting area
- En suite bathroom
- Premium in-room WiFi
Premium Yurt Two Beds
Set among the breathtaking landscapes of Big Sur, this premium wooden yurt offers a peaceful stay with a strong sense of privacy and comfort. Designed for up to three guests, it features a queen-size bed, a cozy sitting area, and a private nook with a twin-size daybed, making it a thoughtful choice for those seeking a more spacious retreat experience.
Step outside onto your private deck and take in sweeping ocean views, or unwind indoors as natural light filters through the picture windows. The en suite bathroom adds convenience, while premium in-room WiFi helps you stay connected throughout your stay. Whether you are returning from a day of exploration or simply slowing down to enjoy the scenery, this yurt creates a serene setting for rest, reflection, and a memorable Big Sur escape.
Price House Suite
Set within the former residence of Esalen co-founder Dick Price, this suite offers a rare sense of place for guests seeking both inspiration and ease. Here, you can settle into a creative, grounding atmosphere, or simply slow down, breathe, and be fully present. Designed for a restful and restorative stay, the suite centers around a luxurious queen bed that invites deep sleep and quiet refuge beyond the ordinary.
Thoughtfully arranged with accessibility in mind, the suite can accommodate ADA needs and includes a main bedroom with a queen-size bed, a private pathway leading to expansive ocean views, upgraded bathrooms and decor, a kitchenette with a dining alcove, a private outdoor area, and premium in-room WiFi. Whether you are looking for a serene retreat or a comfortable home base for reflection, this space blends privacy, comfort, and coastal beauty.
Teachers
Psychotherapist, author of The Power in Your Hands, and co-founder of We Human, Shannon Algeo brings a grounded and thoughtful presence to his work with individuals and groups. As a faculty member at Esalen and Kripalu, he guides retreats designed to support people in reconnecting with their humanity, creativity, and attention in today’s digital world. His offerings create space to step...
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Mon, Dec 14 – Fri, Dec 18