Mac Murphy
<p>Mac Murphy, Michael’s 27-year-old son, might be just the kind of fiery young person Schiffman is talking about. Mac is something of a star on the property by virtue of his parents, but he is a down to earth young man who spent several years living with and learning the Esalen customs and practices. He built a beautiful alter on the lawn to honor the 50<sup>th</sup> anniversary and sang ceremonial songs at the opening event.
And thanks to Mac, a tree now grows at Esalen that wasn’t there before, and I and about 50 other people in our group are part of it, too. And that makes us part of Esalen’s future.
As part of a ritual led by Mac and Little Bear, we wrote down our wishes for the future of Esalen, meditated on them briefly, and threw them into a shallow pit where they were burned to ashes and planted with that tree. With all of us in a circle, Mac Murphy lit the fire and spoke of the need to preserve the magic of Esalen, to be true to its mission of healing and exploration. Little Bear played his flute, and the smoke enveloped them both.</p>