Reflective Presence: a Buddhist Hakomi Training
Hakomi Experiential Method
Hakomi Experiential
Method invites participants into an exploration of growth and healing using
experiential methods, including Hakomi Body Centered Psychotherapy. Self-study,
the practice of loving presence, group process and skill development are
all integral parts of the experience. The whole training usually runs for
about 18-20 days a year, for one to three years. In the first phase, we
focus on personhood and the practice of loving presence. To do this, we
use Hakomi-style experiments to become more aware of ourselves and of others,
as well as of our habits of relating.
We move from self-study to developing a sense of spaciousness- relaxing habitual
reactions in order to open to new possibilities. We learn mindfulness and interact
with each other in ways that cultivate trust, appreciation and rapport. We practice
relating in ways that are nourishing. We discover how to create a context in
which healing begins to unfold spontaneously. All this is done using the principles
and techniques of the Hakomi Method as well as the exercises of the Practice
of Loving Presence.
As we progress, we begin to slowly shift our emphasis from self-study to experiential
method. We continue the personal work begun in the first phase and we add a new
focus on therapeutic skills. These skills are natural extensions of the personal
work, with the ability to create loving and healing relationships. They are also
specific, well-described and teachable. Personal healing processes continue to
happen in the large and small groups, as the participants practice the method
through observing, using it with each other, and integrating it into their professional
work. The group bonding and trust levels deepen as the participants continue
to use the method to explore their personal issues and to support each others’ healing
and spiritual growth. The learning is experiential, organic, creative, non-linear,
personal, transformative, and spiritual. The group becomes a source of nourishment
and healing for all.
By the third phase which is an advanced practice phase, the participants have
begun to see clearly how their lives and relationships- both personal and professional-
are influenced by the experience of this training. Supervised practice in the
sessions is a large part of this phase, along with group process, demonstration,
and discussion. As in phase one and two, participants are encouraged to meet
regularly in small study groups between sessions to practice.
The application of the method could be in one-to-one sessions, community groups,
workshops, or in some other way more suited to the particular skills and interests
of the trainee. There is encouragement and support for trainees to integrate
Hakomi of the trainee. There is encouragement and support for trainees to integrate
Hakomi Experiential Method and /or the Practice of Loving Presence) creatively
into the work they already do (psychotherapy, bodywork, family counseling, conflict
resolution, mediation, law, teaching, business, art therapy, parenting etc.).
This takes the work into a much wider context and offers the healing intelligence
and love (wisdom and compassion) cultivated in the training back to the community
and to the world.
The Hakomi Experiential Method:
The Hakomi Experiential Method is an approach both to learning about yourself
and helping others to discover how they are organizing their experiences: their
thoughts and beliefs, their self-image and world view.
The Hakomi Method is based on these principles:
- unity: everything is interconnected;
- organicity; healing happens from the inside out;
- mindfulness: a focus on paying attention to present experience;
- non-violence; working with what wants to happen and staying in a state of loving presence;
- Mind/body
holism, or working at the interface of body and mind.
The Hakomi Experiential
Method is based on the work of Ron Kurtz, who created the Hakomi Method
of Body-Centered Psychotherapy, and who continues to develop the work.
Donna Martin works closely with Ron Kurtz and leads or co-leads trainings
and workshops throughout North and South America, Mexico, Europe, and Japan.
She has many years of experience as a mind/body therapist, addictions counselor,
yoga teacher and stress management consultant.
Hakomi has evolved into an approach to personal development and human
relations which expands the focus and application of the original Hakomi
Method into a wide variety of settings for individuals, couples, families,
communities, organizations agencies, and other health and wellness -focused
groups.
We begin with a focus on self-study and move on to developing effective
communication and relational skills based on compassion and perceptual wisdom.
Students are introduced to the Hakomi Method through a variety of experiential
practices to cultivate self-awareness and understanding, personal freedom
and creativity, and a genuine appreciation of self and others. : You begin
to learn and practice some simple yet powerful ways to respond more effectively
to suffering.
In the Practice Level, participants learn more about the techniques
and skills of Hakomi Method. You will learn to use the method to discover
how experience is organized and limited based on these core patterns, and
to effectively; help others find ways to be more creative and fulfilled,
to express themselves with authenticity and compassion to be nourished by
Life
.
The Applied Level is for those participants who, having completed the
Practice level, wish to deepen their understanding and application of the
Hakomi method for personal and /0or professional use, whether one-on-one
or in groups.
In all levels of the Hakomi Experiential Method, there is a primary
focus on personhood, on the practice of loving presence, and on community
development from a mind-body-spirit perspective, all of which provides the
basis and fundamental motivation for the learning.
Be what you are: intelligence and love in action. (Nisargadatta Maharaj)
We do give anyone who participates in a Hakomi training a certificate
of attendance at each level. We also offer a process whereby people trained
in the Hakomi Method can apply for certification as Hakomi therapists.
There is a huge emphasis placed on the personhood, presence, and self
awareness of the therapist, and on the subtle aspects of intelligent
compassion and an experimental attitude. We encourage the creative
use of your personal style within the principles of the Hakomi Method
and the practice of Loving Presence. The ability to provide a nourishing
and transformational experience in a quietly simple manner and to respond
appropriately to the nonverbal signals about what’s needed is
the foundation of good Hakomi therapy.
Hakomi Experiential Method: Criteria for Certification
We look for competency in the following elements of the method from people by the end of two to three years of training combined with extensive practical experience:
- Ability to sustain and demonstrate an attitude of loving presence in keeping with the principles and spirit of Hakomi.
- Evidence of healthy self-awareness and effective use of "personhood".
- Ability to sustain a focus of attention on present experience
- Ability to keep the client in present experience.
- Ability to describe, invoke, and use mindfulness effectively.
- Evidence of the ability to track and influence the client’s state of consciousness.
- Demonstration of tracking ability re client’s verbal expression.
- Demonstration of tracking ability re client’s nonverbal expression.
- Demonstration of the effective use of contact statements and acknowledgements.
- Evidence of appropriate hypotheses regarding client’s models of self (character patterns).
- Evidence of appropriate hypotheses regarding client’s models of the world.
- Effective use of probes to make conscious any; limiting beliefs.
- Effective delivery of probes including tracking the client’s reaction.
- Demonstration of directing the therapeutic process through accessing techniques.
- Demonstration of effective and appropriate use of taking over techniques.
- Demonstration of ability to recognize and adapt to unconscious needs.
- Ability to demonstrate an experimental attitude and to effectively make use of little experiments in mindfulness.
- Ability to respond appropriately and effectively to strong emotions.
- Ability to recognize opportunities and timing to go for meaning.
- Demonstration of timely interventions to go for meaning.
- Demonstration of a sustained focus on "what wants to happen here?"
- Ability to recognize and respond appropriately to a need for a nourishing experience (the missing experience).
- Ability to recognize the dynamics of a system and to "jump out of the system".
- Evidence of providing a suitable environment and appropriately timed interventions to facilitate the transformation of limiting core beliefs.
- Skillfulness in stabilizing and integrating the therapeutic experience.
- Skillful and appropriate pacing and completion of the session.
The keys, in short,
are loving presence, mindfulness, tracking, contact, the effective use
of an experimental attitude, and the creation of an appropriate nourishing
experience.
The first 9 criteria are presented and developed in the first level
of the training, then 1-17 in the second level, 1-26 in the advanced (applied)
level. Number 18, working with strong emotions, may occur throughout the
training and the focus moves from an emphasis on working through and clearing
personal issues to supporting and comforting someone else in distress. The
last phase involves helping someone to change the belief system that keeps
them from experiencing unnecessary suffering.
Here are the categories we work to develop in Hakomi training: (1-5
introduced and practiced in the first level)
- Personhood:
- Ability to sustain and demonstrate an attitude of loving presence in keeping with the principles and spirit of Hakomi. - Present
Focus:
- Ability to sustain a focus of attention on present experience.
- Ability to keep the client in present experience. - Mindfulness:
- Ability to describe, invoke, and use mindfulness effectively. - Tracking:
- Evidence of the ability to track and influence the client’s state of consciousness.
- Demonstration of tracking ability re client’s verbal expression.
- Demonstration of tracking ability re client’s nonverbal expression. - Contact:
- Demonstration of the effective use of contact statements and acknowledgements.
**** - Understanding
Core Material:
- Demonstration of ability to recognize and adapt to unconscious needs.
- Evidence of appropriate hypotheses regarding client’s models of self (character)
- Evidence of appropriate hypotheses regarding client’s models of the world.
- Ability to recognize opportunities and appropriate timing to go for meaning.
- Evidence of providing a suitable environment and appropriately timed interventions to facilitate the transformation of limiting core beliefs. - Accessing:
- Demonstration of directing the therapeutic process through accessing techniques.
- Ability to respond appropriately and effectively to strong emotions. - Probes:
- Use of effective probes to make conscious any limiting beliefs.
- Effective delivery of probes including tracking the client’s reaction. - Taking
Over and other experiments:
- Demonstration of effective and appropriate use of taking over techniques.
- Ability to demonstrate an experimental attitude and to effectively make use of little experiments in mindfulness. - Going
for Nourishment:
- Ability to recognize and respond appropriately to a need for a nourishing experience (the missing experience). - Managing
the session:;
- Demonstration of a sustained focus on "what wants to happen here?"
- Ability to recognize the dynamics of a system and to "jump out of the system".
- Demonstration of skillfulness in stabilizing and integrating the therapeutic experience.
- Demonstration of skillful and appropriate pacing and completion of the session.
In the second level (Practice Level) we continue to develop 1-5, and further teach and develop 6-10. In the advanced or Applied Level, all categories are further developed. For certification we look for number one through eleven, with a confident use of the method imbued with a quality of calm and loving presence.