by Clarke Fountain
synopsis
The Esalen Institute has been noted for its hands-on experiments exploring human potential. Ranging from the profound to the silly, their work has influenced everything from professional football training to medicine and psychology. Its founders might be considered precursors of the New Age movement. This film introduces ideas and techniques aimed at enhancing sensory awareness. The first portion of the film shows Institute participants learning to use the techniques; the second portion requires the filmgoer to try them. It is curious that the filmmakers chose the visual medium of film for this exercise, because the screen is blank for a fair proportion of the last hour.
