2025 Events
January 2025
January 2025
“NEW YEAR’S DAY”
Generating New Visions
An open class offering
Visions help create change in our lives. What do I have to do to start something new again? Let’s have fun with the power of imagination or just be present to allow something new to happen in its own time.
Testimonies from an October 24′ open class:
image by charismaticplanet.com
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Removing Our Blinders
We all have to power to remove our blinders to see consciously or unconsciously, those different than ourselves. Let’s look at components to delete polarizations of “us” and “them” to bridge the gap of separation and begin racial healing.
Esalen Institute- Community Open Classes
[when visiting Esalen, check community calendar for time and room]
January 16, 2025
February 2025
February 2025
An exciting Esalen Workshop
February 21-23, 2025 at Esalen Institute.
Everyone, no matter what race, ethnicity or gender preference, is invited to register and participate in a fun and education experience to celebrate Black History Month. Together, we can build bridges to harmony through empathy and music.
To find out what several attendees wrote about this workshop: https://lavernemcleod.com/testimonies/
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Understanding Empathy
February 18, 2025 at California State University Monterey Bay
in Lecturer Stratford’s Psychology class 12:00pm (private)
It is one of the most humane traits that we as human beings can use to help us understand one another, to harmonize with cultures different than one’s own, and to work together to problem solve.
In this workshop, we will be looking through a lens of social justice as concerns unconscious beliefs of entitlement over some people. Additionally, a lens of climate justice will be focused on as concerns some environments where folks breathe toxic air. Possible solutions will be discussed in this workshop.
Comments from the Professor:
“I wanted to take a moment to sincerely thank you for your incredible presentation on empathy. It’s clear that you’ve put a lot of thought into how we can all cultivate more empathy in our personal and professional lives. We really need it now.
Your examples were relatable and spoke to the students in meaningful ways.
Thank you again for your time, effort, and the passion you bring to this topic. It’s greatly appreciated! Kent Stratford
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Generating New Visions
Visions help create change in our lives. What do I have to do to start something new again? Let’s have fun with the power of imagination or just be present to allow something new to happen in its own time.
ESALEN OPEN CLASS
February 27, 2025 [when visiting Esalen, check community calendar for time and room]
March 2025
March 2025
Generating New Visions
Visions help create change in our lives. What do I have to do to start something new again? Let’s have fun with the power of imagination or just be present to allow something new to happen in its own time.
ESALEN OPEN CLASS
March 6, 2025 [when visiting Esalen, check community calendar for time and room]
image by the spruce.com
April 2025
April 2025
Generating New Visions
Visions help create change in our lives. What do I have to do to start something new again? Let’s have fun with the power of imagination or just be present to allow something new to happen in its own time.
ESALEN OPEN CLASS
April 3, 9, 29 [when visiting Esalen, check community calendar for time and room]
image by the spruce.com
May 2025
May 2025
Generating New Visions
ESALEN OPEN CLASS
Same description as above) May 20 [when visiting Esalen, check community calendar for time and room]
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& Esalen REEP Program
https://www.esalen.org/learn/residential-extended-education-program
Facilitator on May 22-REMOVING OUR BLINDERS: We all have to power to remove our blinders to see consciously or unconsciously, those different than ourselves. Let’s look at components to delete polarizations of “us” and “them” to bridge the gap of separation and begin racial healing.
image by www.crocus.com.uk
June 2025
June 2025
Generating New Visions
Same description as April
Esalen Institute- Community Open Classes
[when visiting Esalen, check community calendar for time and room]
June 3, 2025
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Esalen REEP Program
https://www.esalen.org/learn/residential-extended-education-program
Facilitator on June 4
Earth Listening Ceremony
The purpose of this class is to honor and celebrate Earth as our teacher. When we
listen to Her knowledge, we may become more resilient and bounce back from
our fears and traumas that might get in the way of just being. We will play with
what is around us and beneath us with a sequence of Earth related activities. This
leads us to ceremoniously give homage to Her presence and be nourished in
return.
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Facilitator on June 5 for REEP
Labyrinth Walk
Walking the Labyrinth can be considered a powerful meditation, an enjoyable contemplative experience or however it presents itself to you. Let’s have fun creating and walking this sacred path of ancestral wisdom to guide us along our journey.
image by tripsavvy.com
July 2025
July 2025
Generating New Visions
Same description as April
Esalen Institute- Community Open Classes
[when visiting Esalen, check community calendar for time and room]
Here are a few recent participant comments:
“Thank you so much. It was emotional, evoking awakening and lovely. Special gratitude for a birthday song! With Love” 💚
“You are an amazing teacher! I love your energy and guidance to come up with a renewed vision for myself. Thank you!” Melodie
“Thank you very much for your workshop. The questions are all inspired and motivated me to keep moving on my work.” Yuki
July 15, 2025
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Esalen REEP Program:
Same description as June
https://www.esalen.org/learn/residential-extended-education-program
Earth Listening Ceremony
Facilitator on July 30, 2025
+
Labyrinth Walk
Facilitator on July 31, 2025
August 2025
August 2025
Generating New Visions
Same description as April
Esalen Institute- Community Open Classes
[when visiting Esalen, check community calendar for time and room]
August 5, 19, 26
image of echinacea by LaVerne McLeod
September 2025
September 2025
Generating New Visions
Visions are the seeds of transformation-they stir the soul and set the stage for change. When we dare to imagine, we begin to open new doorways in our lives. What would it take to begin again? What small step, what breath, what whisper from within? Let’s play with the power of imagination-stretching the bounds of what we think is possible. Or perhaps, let’s soften into presence, trusting that something new is already blooming beneath the surface, waiting for its perfect moment to rise.
Esalen Institute- Community Open Classes
[when visiting Esalen, check community calendar for time and room]
September 2, 9, 23
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ATTENTION: Registration is now open for this exciting 2026 weekend workshop retreat at Esalen:
February 20-22, 2026
Led by LaVerne McLeod & Melanie DeMore
at Esalen Institute, Big Sur, CA
A bonus for residents of Big Sur and Monterey County is a reduced rate if you provide your own housing off-property and can show proof of residency.
Note: Please apply early for possible scholarships and early reservations to save your desired accommodations in this powerful workshop.
image by www.fark.com
October 2025
October 2025
Generating New Visions
Visions are the seeds of transformation-they stir the soul and set the stage for change. When we dare to imagine, we begin to open new doorways in our lives. What would it take to begin again? What small step, what breath, what whisper from within? Let’s play with the power of imagination-stretching the bounds of what we think is possible. Or perhaps, let’s soften into presence, trusting that something new is already blooming beneath the surface, waiting for its perfect moment to rise.
Esalen Institute- Community Open Classes
[when visiting Esalen, check community calendar for time and room]
October 7 & 28
image by wallpapersafari.com
November 2025
November 2025
Generating New Visions
(Same description)Esalen Institute- Community Open Classes
[when visiting Esalen, check community calendar for time and room]
November 18 & 25
image by fast-growing-trees.com
December 2025
December 2025
Generating New Visions
Visions are the seeds of transformation-they stir the soul and set the stage for change. When we dare to imagine, we begin to open new doorways in our lives. What would it take to begin again? What small step, what breath, what whisper from within? Let’s play with the power of imagination-stretching the bounds of what we think is possible. Or perhaps, let’s soften into presence, trusting that something new is already blooming beneath the surface, waiting for its perfect moment to rise.
Esalen Institute- Community Open Classes
[when visiting Esalen, check community calendar for time and room]
December 9 & 16 + Closing Circle activities for Self-Guided guests 12/26
An upcoming exciting weekend retreat workshop coming February 20-22, 2026. Register Now to secure a space:
February 20-22, 2026
Led by LaVerne McLeod & Melanie DeMore
at Esalen Institute, Big Sur, CA
image by boothbaygreenhouses.com