“May we learn to walk upon the earth… So that our minds might be baptized in the name of the wind, and light, and the rain.” – John O’Donohue
Esalen Institute
How would it feel to move into a meaningful relationship with the living world, and beyond a mere passive appreciation of nature? In the long arc of human history, people across all cultures and traditions have lived in communion with the lands they called home. While this intrinsic connection has been largely severed in our modern age, the perspectives and practices common to our respective Earth-reverent ancestors are not lost. They lie dormant in the land, among the wild beings, and even in our own animal bodies, waiting patiently to be remembered and renewed.
Immersed in the beauty of the Esselen tribal lands now known as Big Sur, we will humbly walk the trails in pursuit of reunion with the wild Earth. We will set out each morning for hikes amongst ancient redwoods, golden grasslands and fragrant chaparral. Our community and teachers will include the plants, animals, stones and all aspects of the wild landscape. Acknowledging Big Sur to be the ancestral territory of the Esselen tribe, we will endeavor to behave as reverent and respectful guests on sacred land.
Along the trail, we will cultivate innate capacities for presence and wonder, build ecological knowledge, and explore pathways of reciprocity and connection with the natural world. Pausing together to learn from the land, we will participate in some of the most potent work of our time: beginning to rejoin our great family on this wild Earth.
Registration
Registration for the workshop is being handled by the Esalen Institute.
Meet your guide
Fletcher Tucker
Wildtender Co-Founder Fletcher was raised by the foggy redwood ravines and fragrant chaparral bluffs of the Esselen tribal territory now known as Big Sur, California. Fletcher is a lifelong student of natural history, an ancestral skills practitioner, devotee of trail-craft and minimalist backpacking, an experienced teacher of adults and children, and a multidisciplinary artist.
Fletcher’s inner work includes ongoing exploration in Zen and Taoist practices/philosophy; over a decade of study in the Gestalt lineage of Esalen Institute co-founder Dick Price; and engagement with the Earth-reverent, spiritual practices of his own Nordic and Celtic ancestors.
Fletcher is a NOLS certified Wilderness First Responder.
Physical Requirements & Notes
Daily hikes will be 3-8 miles in length and include a picnic lunch. We will depart after breakfast and return to Esalen in late afternoon. The hiking terrain is sometimes steep, rugged and uneven. If you have questions about your ability to participate, please consult our Esalen FAQ or send us an email. A $40 parks permit and parking fee will be added to the workshop cost.
Frequently Asked Questions About Esalen Programs
If you have specific questions please review our FAQ section.