The Values Based Path to a Life of Purpose and Meaning

Most people move through their days guided by expectations that were handed to them, rarely pausing to ask what they truly value. This spiritual workshop at Esalen Institute in Big Sur, CA, offers that pause, along with a practical way to turn what you discover into how you live.

The Values Based Path to a Life of Purpose and Meaning is led by Robert MacPhee, author of the book Living a Values Based Life. It is an interactive, experiential gathering for anyone who senses that their decisions, attention, and time are not yet fully aligned with what matters most to them. As the workshop's guiding idea puts it, if your thoughts, decisions, and actions are not determined by your own highest values, they are certainly being determined by someone else's.

Set on the Big Sur coast, the program is a space to reconnect with what feels authentic, purpose-driven, and meaningful, and to leave with a clearer sense of direction.

What to Expect

The workshop is designed to reduce confusion and bring clarity through Robert MacPhee's accessible approach. Rather than asking you to think your way to answers alone, the process uses deep, experiential (and fun) exercises that address a variety of learning styles.

Over the course of the workshop, you will be invited to:

- Explore the areas of your life that feel most meaningful to you
- Identify the qualities and characteristics you most want to express
- Learn how to implement and apply what matters most to you, both personally and professionally
- Begin crafting a personalized plan for aligning your daily life with your values

The work is relevant across many areas of life: at home, at work, in relationships, as a parent, and as a leader. Whether you are navigating a transition or simply want to live with more intention, the aim is the same: a values compass that can gently guide your decisions, your attention, and your time.

Robert MacPhee is the former director of training for Jack Canfield and is an expert in experiential learning, peak performance, and effective leadership. His book, Living a Values Based Life, is the foundation of the approach.

Venue & Logistics

The workshop takes place in person at Esalen Institute in Big Sur, California, over a weekend. Registration options include a workshop with on-site stay, a workshop with off-site stay, and an individual day pass. The on-site workshop package includes housing accommodations, breakfast, lunch, and dinner, coffee, tea, and snacks, access to the hot springs and other campus features, and classes on the Open Schedule. Healing Arts sessions such as Esalen massage, specialty drinks from the bar, and bookstore purchases are not included. Scholarships are available through Esalen.

Highway 1 access around Big Sur has been affected by road closures and travel advisories, so check Esalen's current travel advisory and plan your route before you travel.