Tag: Loving Presence

  • Bodhi the Hamster and the Small Kingdom of Care

    Bodhi the Hamster and the Small Kingdom of Care

    In this tender sharing, you are invited into the small yet sacred world of Bodhi the hamster—a quiet kingdom of moss, seed, and devotion. Through the gentle rituals of care—refreshing water, offering food, adjusting her tiny habitat—what emerges is not just a home for a beloved creature, but a living expression of mindful love. Each act, humble in appearance, becomes a spiritual practice, echoing the rhythms of prayer and presence. As Bodhi scurries and pauses, so too does the heart awaken to the profound truth that joy is found not in grand gestures, but in the simple tending of life—right here, in plain view.

    Yes, there is a kingdom in my room. It is no larger than a few plastic bins stacked neatly in the corner, but within them lives a world. A world of moss and hay, of soft paper and tiny tunnels. And at the center of it all, like a blessing curled into fur, lives Bodhi—a small dwarf hamster with a quiet heart and eyes that carry the light of simple being.

    Each day, I attend to her world. I refresh her water, place a few seeds with care, adjust the lid to allow for air and safety. I arrange moss as one might arrange flowers for a shrine. I replace what has grown soiled and offer new textures to explore. I watch her—sometimes scurrying, sometimes still. Always aware, always present.

    And in this tending, I discover a deeper rhythm.

    There is something quietly profound in shaping a space for another’s well-being. Something sacred in the simple gesture of making sure the water dish is full and the bedding is dry. These small actions, repeated daily, become a practice of love—not the grand love of epics and vows, but the quiet, faithful love that shows up without fanfare.

    Bodhi’s needs are humble: safety, nourishment, a sense of the familiar. And yet, meeting those needs teaches me to slow down. To notice. To offer care with a full heart. To witness the small, sacred acts that build trust over time.

    This is not unlike spiritual practice. Whether one sits in contemplative prayer, tends a garden, or sweeps a floor, the spirit in which we do these things makes all the difference. As I arrange her world, I find I am also arranging my own mind—clearing clutter, softening edges, making space for peace.

    And what joy there is in watching her explore! When Bodhi climbs into her little blue teacup—her teleporter, as I fondly call it—and lets me carry her from her home to her play area, I smile. Not just at the cuteness of it, but at the trust it represents. The silent language between species that says: I see you. I care for you. You are safe here.

    This small kingdom, this gentle rhythm of tending and watching, invites me into presence. It becomes a mirror, showing me that love doesn’t have to be loud. That devotion can be measured in teaspoons of millet, and prayer can look like cleaning up after someone you cherish.

    In Bodhi’s world, and in the care I give, I learn again and again: everything matters. And in that attentiveness, joy arises—not as something to be achieved, but as something already here, waiting to be noticed.

    🙏🕊🙏

  • 🌿 A Poem of Strength & Renewal 🌿

    🌿 A Poem of Strength & Renewal 🌿

    ✨ English ✨
    The light of warmth shines through the long night, 🌙
    Though storms may rage, the heart’s lantern never fades. 🕯️
    Though mountains are high and waters far, a homebound boat remains, ⛰️🌊⛵
    After hardship, spring arrives, and the world is born anew. 🌿🌸

    ✨ Spanish / Español ✨
    La luz del alma brilla en la oscuridad, 🌙
    Aunque ruja la tormenta, la llama no se apaga. 🕯️
    Montañas y mares no detienen el regreso, ⛰️🌊⛵
    Tras la prueba, la primavera renace. 🌿🌸

    ✨ Italiano ✨
    La luce dell’anima illumina la notte, 🌙
    Anche nella tempesta, la fiamma non si spegne. 🕯️
    Monti e mari non fermano il ritorno, ⛰️🌊⛵
    Dopo il dolore, la primavera rinasce. 🌿🌸

    ✨ العربية / Arabic ✨
    نور الروح يضيء الظلام، 🌙
    مهما اشتدت العواصف، لا تنطفئ الشمعة. 🕯️
    الجبال والبحار لا تمنع العودة، ⛰️🌊⛵
    بعد المحن، يأتي الربيع ويولد العالم من جديد. 🌿🌸

    ✨ עברית / Hebrew ✨
    אור הנשמה זורח בלילה החשוך, 🌙
    גם בסערה, הנר אינו כבה. 🕯️
    ההרים והימים אינם עוצרים את השיבה, ⛰️🌊⛵
    לאחר הקושי, האביב מגיע והעולם נולד מחדש. 🌿🌸

    ✨ Русский / Russian ✨
    Свет души сияет сквозь ночь, 🌙
    Пусть бушует буря, но огонь не гаснет. 🕯️
    Горы и воды не остановят путь домой, ⛰️🌊⛵
    После невзгод приходит весна, и мир обновляется. 🌿🌸

    ✨ Українська / Ukrainian ✨
    Світло душі сяє крізь ніч, 🌙
    Хай шторм бушує, та вогонь не згасне. 🕯️
    Гори й води не зупинять дорогу додому, ⛰️🌊⛵
    Після труднощів настає весна, і світ відроджується. 🌿🌸

  • Book Review: “The Hakomi Way: Consciousness & Healing: The Legacy of Ron Kurtz”

    A Profound Journey into Self-Discovery

    “Hakomi Body-Centered Psychotherapy” the method created by Ron Kurtz is a profound exploration of a therapeutic approach that delves deep into the realms of the mind, body, and spirit. This book offers an insightful and comprehensive guide to the Hakomi method, which emphasizes mindfulness, somatic awareness, and compassionate inquiry as key tools for healing and personal transformation.

    Ron Kurtz, the founder of Hakomi therapy, draws upon years of experience to provide a clear and accessible introduction to this unique therapeutic approach. He begins by laying the groundwork, explaining the theoretical foundations and principles that underpin Hakomi. Central to the method is the idea that the body stores memories, emotions, and core beliefs, and these can be accessed and transformed through mindful exploration.

    One of the book’s strengths lies in its practicality. Kurtz guides readers through the various stages of a Hakomi session, offering detailed descriptions of techniques and interventions. He illustrates how therapists can create a safe and nurturing space for clients to explore their inner worlds, fostering healing and self-discovery.

    The concept of mindfulness is central to Hakomi, and Kurtz provides a thorough exploration of its application in therapy. He highlights how therapists can use mindfulness to help clients become more aware of their bodily sensations, emotions, and thought patterns. Through this awareness, clients gain insight into their unconscious processes, leading to personal growth and healing.

    Kurtz also emphasizes the importance of non-violence and loving presence in the therapeutic relationship. He encourages therapists to approach their clients with an attitude of curiosity, empathy, and respect, fostering a sense of safety and trust that allows for deep exploration and healing.

    Throughout the book, Kurtz shares numerous case examples and transcripts from actual therapy sessions, bringing the Hakomi method to life. These real-world illustrations demonstrate the transformative power of Hakomi and how it can help individuals heal from trauma, overcome limiting beliefs, and connect with their authentic selves.

    As a guide to Hakomi, this book is both enlightening and practical. It provides therapists with a comprehensive understanding of the method while offering tangible tools and techniques to incorporate into their practice. However, it’s not limited to professionals; anyone interested in self-discovery and personal growth will find valuable insights within its pages.

    In summary, “Hakomi Body-Centered Psychotherapy” is a masterful exploration of a therapeutic approach that seamlessly integrates mindfulness, somatic awareness, and compassionate inquiry. It is a must-read for therapists seeking to expand their skills and for individuals on a journey of self-discovery and healing. Kurtz’s wisdom and compassion shine through every page, making this book an invaluable resource in the world of psychotherapy.


    Ron Kurtz was the originator of the Hakomi Method and a preeminent innovator and influence in mindfulness-based somatic psychotherapy.

    Ron died on January 4, 2011. As the originator, he was the final authority on Hakomi. His teachings and materials, hard drives and videos were widely and freely distributed in order for as many people to have access to Hakomi as possible. Some of Ron’s legacy materials are available at http://www.hakomi.com.

    Seven years since his death, five of his trainers have collaborated to produce a new version of his teaching manual, one that retains the vitality and authenticity of his voice but one that also matches the pedagogy and curriculum of the Hakomi Education Network training teams.

    The Hakomi Way: Healing and Consciousness is a compilation of his thoughts, his writings and his talks in one book, his last word on the subject of Hakomi and how he wanted it to be taught and practised after he was gone.

    Our hope is that it keeps Ron’s voice alive in the midst of the learning and that it contributes to his great legacy.

    Ron developed the Hakomi Method in the 1970’s and taught and refined it for over forty years. In 1981, he co-founded the Hakomi Institute and, in the mid 90’s, the Hakomi Education Network.

    Author of Body-Centered Psychotherapy, The Body Reveals, and Grace Unfolding (with Greg Johanson), and a forthcoming book (with Donna Martin) on the Practice of Loving Presence, Ron left numerous papers, essays, training handbooks, as well as decades of video sessions of his brilliant work. He was the recipient of the 2008 Lifetime Achievement Award from the United States Association of Body Psychotherapy.

    Hakomi is now taught widely throughout the world, including North and South America, the United Kingdom, Europe, Russia, the Middle East, and Asia.