The Future We Choose: Human Empowerment in the AI Age

What does it mean to stay deeply, authentically human as artificial intelligence weaves itself into every corner of our lives? This transformative weekend retreat at Esalen Institute invites you into a rare space where technology and consciousness meet—not with fear or blind acceptance, but with grounded awareness and creative intention. Rather than passively absorbing tech industry narratives about the inevitability of AI, you'll engage directly with these powerful tools while anchoring your exploration in somatic practice, meditation, and time on the sacred land of Big Sur. Facilitators Sam Stern and Cecilia Callas guide this journey with wisdom and rigor, creating space for the kind of authentic reflection our moment demands.

This is a spiritual workshop for seekers who sense that technology is reshaping what it means to be human—and want to reclaim agency in that process. Over three days, you'll move through awareness, empowerment, and integration, discovering both the remarkable potential and profound implications of AI. The retreat weaves together live talks, hands-on demonstrations, creative experiments, embodied movement, and contemplative practice. You'll work with AI as a conscious creative collaborator, exploring how to engage these tools with intention rather than autopilot. By the end, you'll return home with a personal AI Code of Practice and genuine connection with fellow seekers asking the same vital questions.

What to Expect

Expect a contemplative, intellectually rigorous, and deeply human experience. The program alternates between group dialogue and individual reflection, creative experiments and somatic grounding. You'll participate in live demonstrations that reveal both what AI can do and what it cannot—building discernment through direct experience. Movement practices, meditation, and time on Esalen's stunning coastal land create the nervous system settling needed for real integration. Rather than abstract debate, you'll engage with concrete questions: How do I want to relate to these tools? What do I offer that AI does not? How do I protect my humanity while remaining open to possibility?

You'll leave with clarity about your own values and boundaries around technology, a practical code of practice you've created yourself, and a community of conscious, thoughtful people committed to shaping technology's role in their lives.

Venue & Logistics

Esalen Institute, Big Sur, California | October 23–26, 2026

Esalen's clifftop campus overlooking the Pacific Ocean provides the contemplative, nourishing environment essential for deep work. Wear comfortable clothing suitable for movement and meditation. The retreat includes lodging and meals. Please contact the venue directly for accessibility accommodations.