Until 1966, Esalen Institute was still known as the Big Sur Hot Springs, before it was purchased by Michael Murphy’s grandfather, Henry Murphy. It was known locally as “Slates Hot Springs.” The healing waters have been used by Indigenous tribes, specifically the Esselen, and generations of their ancestors for over 6,000 years. Esalen’s influence has long reached beyond Big Sur. Through the US-Soviet Exchange program, Dulce Murphy and the Track II team fostered dialogues and collaborations betwee