Expanding the Nature of Your Being: Embodied Consciousness, Intuition, and the Remembering of Human Potential

This spiritual workshop at Esalen Institute in Big Sur, California, invites you into an experiential exploration of expanded consciousness, intuition, and the subtle perceptual capacities people across cultures have long reported. It is led by neuropsychiatrist Diane Hennacy and psychosomatic educator Siegmar Gerken, and it suits anyone curious about embodied awareness who wants direct experience rather than a belief system to adopt.

What to Expect

The weekend rests on the idea that deep intuition, nonlocal connection, and sensitivity to energy and emotion are natural parts of being human, and that modern education has narrowed our sense of what perception includes. Rather than relying on mental effort or concentration, you are guided to attune to body, breath, sensation, feeling, and heart, forming what the teachers call an integrated Body–Feeling–Mind field. Intuitive and so-called "extra-ordinary" perceptions are understood as arising spontaneously from coherence, presence, and connection, not as abilities to be forced or performed.

The work draws on decades of clinical practice and interdisciplinary research, with emphasis on emotional coherence and nervous-system regulation. Sessions combine guided practices, dialogue, and gentle somatic exploration, and attention turns to how expanded awareness can be carried into everyday life, relationships, creativity, and service.

The weekend begins on Friday with the How to Drop into Esalen orientation in the late afternoon, followed by an evening opening session. Saturday has a morning session, lunch, and a longer afternoon session. Sunday brings a final morning session and a closing circle, with checkout by 10:00 am or after the final session.

About Diane Hennacy

Diane Hennacy, MD, is a psychotherapist and neuropsychiatrist with over forty years of experience exploring healing, consciousness, and purpose. She is known for warmth and humor, and she blends neuroscience, wisdom traditions, and resonance-based insight to help people reconnect with themselves and their purpose. She is the author of The ESP Enigma, which is on the recommended reading list for this workshop.

About Siegmar Gerken

Siegmar Gerken, PhD, ECP, is part of the teaching faculty at JFK University and was formerly at the Santa Barbara Graduate Institute. He teaches at universities and private institutes worldwide on the interconnectedness of psychosomatic processes as they appear across body, emotions, mind, will, and consciousness.

The Setting

Esalen Institute sits on the Big Sur coast, a place long associated with open inquiry into human potential. Guests can stay on site or arrange lodging off site. On-site options range from a shared sleeping bag space and bunk beds to private rooms, yurts, and ocean-view suites, some with private decks, kitchenettes, or fireplaces. Stays include breakfast, lunch, dinner, coffee, tea, and snacks, along with access to the hot springs and campus features, and to the open class schedule of movement, meditation, and creative offerings. Day passes are also available.

Highway 1 access to northern Big Sur has at times been limited to Caltrans-operated convoys at set morning and evening times, so check current travel conditions before you plan your arrival and departure.

Before You Go

No particular belief system or prior experience is asked of you, only an open mind and an open heart. Workshop instruction, housing, and meals are included for those staying on site. Healing Arts sessions such as Esalen massage, specialty drinks or alcohol from the bar, and bookstore purchases are extra. If you bring a sleeping bag space booking, bring your own sleeping bag and bedding. For further preparation, the teachers recommend The ESP Enigma by Diane Hennacy Powell and Space, Time and Beyond by Bob Toben.