Spiegelberg says "15 years ago" when referring to 1949 so perhaps this talk occurred in 1964 (not '68).

Today we're opening up the vault to share an extraordinary archival recording from one of the most influential figures in Esalen's history, Frederic Spiegelberg — and while that name might not be as immediately recognizable as some of the luminaries who graced Esalen's grounds, like Joseph Campbell, Alan Watts, or Gabrielle Roth, understanding Frederic Spiegelberg and his place in Esalen mythology might be key to understanding Esalen itself . . . because in truth, without Frederic Spiegelberg, there might well never have been an Esalen at all.

In 1950, Esalen co-founder Michael Murphy was just another Stanford student when he, by complete accident, attended one of Friedric Spiegelberg's philosophy courses. As recounted in Jeffrey Kripal's fantastic book, “Esalen: America and the Religion of No Religions,” that single class would become an initiatory event that transformed Murphy's life forever, providing a pivotal bridge into the metaphysical, the mystical, and the psychical realms, dimensions that would go on to define the course of his life. 

The recording you're about to hear takes place in 1968, nearly two decades after Michael Murphy’s satori. Frederic Spiegelberg, as you'll hear, is still a force to be reckoned with. He speaks of the convergence between Eastern and Western thought, the transformative power of spiritual experience, and the boundless capacity for human growth. 

And as you listen to this beautiful recording, originally made on half-inch reel to reel tape that we've recently uncovered in the Esalen vault, dusted off, digitized, and are in the process of joyfully rediscovering, maybe consider this: that you're not just hearing a lecture from the past. Instead, you're taking part in a transmission. A thread that connects the early days of Esalen to the present moment. You're stepping into the very space where minds were opened and spirits awakened and the seeds of some sort of transformation were sown. 




Frederic Spiegelberg's 1968 Talk at Esalen: "India and the Saints"

Paul Selig is considered one of the foremost mediums working today. He is the author of several rather extraordinary works of channeled literature, including I Am the Word, The Book of Love and Creation, The Book of Knowing and Worth, and The Book of Mastery. I spoke to Paul at length about the work he'd done before becoming a medium (he was a well-known playwright, as well as the director of the MFA in Creative Writing Program at Goddard College), and we discussed the creative process, wondering if there was some sort of useful comparison between that and the work of channeling. Then we turned to the content of his work, the remarkable message of his guides. This is a must-listen episode for those who are fascinated by the art of channeling, and those who find their interest piqued by the message of the Word. 
Today's music is "Slow Dissolve" and was used courtesy of www.purple-planet.com. 

Paul Selig, I am the Word: The Extraordinary Life of a Spiritual Channel

Pico Iyer is a British-born essayist and novelist, known for his outstanding travel writing. Iyer was a King's Scholar at Eton College, and was awarded a Congratulatory Double First in English Literature at Oxford University, then received his second master's in literature at Harvard. Iyer has known the 14th Dalai Lama since he was in his late teens, when he accompanied his father to Dharamshala, India, in the early 1970s. Iyer taught literature at Harvard before joining Time magazine  in 1982 as a writer on world affairs. After his home in Santa Barbara burned to the ground in 1990, Iyer was left without any possessions. In 1992 he relocated to Nara, Japan, where he has lived since, with his wife Hiroko Takeuchi. Some of his notable books include Global Soul: Jet Lag, Shopping Malls, and the Search for Home; The Open Road: the Global Journey of the 14th Dalai Lama; and most recently, The Art of Stillness: Adventures in Going Nowhere.

Pico Iyer on Esalen, Big Sur, the Dalai Lama and Global Soul

"Voices of Esalen" features provocative, in-depth interviews with the dynamic leaders, teachers, and thinkers who reflect the mission of the Esalen Institute.

For more about the Esalen Institute, head to esalen.org 

Follow Esalen on Facebook and Twitter

Frederic Spiegelberg's 1968 Talk at Esalen: "India and the Saints"

Voices of Esalen

Recent comments

TW Hawk

Related tracks