Language: English

Two Selves – Kahneman

This model of self was developed by Daniel Kahneman who was awarded a Nobel Prize for Behavioral Economics.

Poem – The Way She Listens

This poem was written by AI after Flint Sparks, a friend and colleague of Donna Martin, was searching for Donna’s most recent teachings.

Gabor Mate and Hakomi

This is a short clip from an interview with Gabor Mate and Georgia Marvin in October 2025.

Interview with Gabor Mate and Georgia Marvin

The complete interview with Gabor and Georgia in October 2025. Topics include his medical journey, his calling, his experience with psychedelics and his experience with Hakomi.

Healing (Master)

“Master” refers to a long version audio file on that topic.

Setting the Context for Healing

“With the right state of mind, understanding and compassion come quite naturally, without effort. The healing relationship is developed effortlessly, the method and techniques work easily and the process moves quickly.”

Memory and Prediction

Ron wrote and spoke about Jeff Hawkins’ book On Intelligence in which he described the Memory Prediction Framework.

Kahneman’s Theory of Two Selves

Kahneman was the winner of a Nobel prize in Behavioral Economics. His theory refers to a model of two selves, the remembering self and the experiencing self, that is very useful to understand for the Hakomi practitioner.

Ex. Assisted Stretching

This is an exercise used in Hakomi trainings to teach students to follow their clients. This was undoubtedly inspired by the work of Moshe Feldenkrais.

Feldenkrais

Ron Kurtz was inspired by the work of Moshe Feldenkrais.

Deliberate Practice

Deliberate practice refers to the need for a new behavior to become habitual through conscious action.

Hypnagogic States

Hypnagogic refers to the transitional state between wakefulness and sleep. Towards the end of his life, he began to refer to mindfulness as a hynagogic state.

Following the Healing Process

“The impulse to heal is real and powerful and lies within the client…We are not the healers. We are the context in which healing is inspired.” Ron Kurtz

Avoidance Behaviors 2

Avoidance behaviors are unconscious attempts to avoid painful memories and experiences.

Refinements of Hakomi

For further information, we refer you to Ron’s writings on the subject in a book called The Hakomi Way: Consciousness & Healing published after his death from his training notes. Refinements is the last chapter.

Repair and Integration

“Integration occurs slowly as new, more realistic beliefs are formed. Engergy is drained away from the long struggle and becomes available for living this very moment. Confusion yields to clarity. In the process of integration, we witness the natural course of things.” Ron Kurtz

Avoidance Behavior

Avoidance behavior refers to behavior that is an attempt to avoid painful memories and experiences.

Working With Indicators

In Ron’s final decade of life, he was teaching his students how to observe indicators as sources of experiments.

Dropping Self Concern

Loving presence is a foundational practice in Hakomi. Ron referred to it as “non-egocentric nourishment.” As a way of teaching loving presence, Ron sometimes encourages his students to drop their self concern.

Silence

Ron emphasized the importance of allowing the client the time and space to do their the interior work and the judicious use of silence.

Contact in Hakomi

Contact is a skill in Hakomi that Ron Kurtz borrowed from Carl Rogers. Ron says, “His idea was to take what client said that was emotionally charged and do two things: he would name the person’s experience in a sympathetic voice and possibly restate what had been said in simpler, less charged language.” Ron extended […]

Assisted Self Study Clip

In his later years of teaching, Ron referred to his “Refined Hakomi Method” as assisted self-study. He was attempting to move Hakomi outside of the sole realm of psychotherapy.

Self Study Phase of the Process

A Hakomi session could be viewed as having three phases: the relationship phase, the self study phase and the healing phase. Ron is talk about the second phase which features precise experiments in mindfulness.

Inappropriate Attention and Stories

Inappropriate attention is a Buddhist concepts: “In Buddhism, inappropriate attention (ayoniso manasikāra) is a misguided focus that  leads to suffering by exaggerating negative qualities or clinging to positive ones.”  

Mindfulness in Hakomi

Ron considered that his use of precise experiments in mindfulness was the signature contribution of Hakomi to the field of psychotherapy.

Experiments and Healing

Precise experiments in mindfulness, a hallmark of Hakomi, is used to spark a healing process by bringing into consciousness that which was hidden from the client.

Adaptations and Core Beliefs

Rather than thinking about behavior as deviant, Hakomi refers to behavior as adaptive given the situation in which it arose. Core beliefs refer to the underlying habitual structure of the mind that generate behavior.

The Hakomi Process as Three Phases

One way of understanding the Hakomi Process in a full session is using a model of three phases. This idea was first articulated in Ron’s training notes and then expanded in this essay written by Georgia Marvin. It is included in the book The Hakomi Way: Consciousness & Healing that was compiled after his death […]

The Hakomi Process as Six Skill Sets

This document explains Ron’s model of the Hakomi Process from the perspective of skills required. It was included in Ron’s book that was published after his death, The Hakomi Way: Consciousness and Healing.

Working with Signal to Noise Ratio

“From a systems point of view, the use of mindfulness can be seen as a method of making the system more sensitive.” RK Please note: a full transcript of The Readings is available in the SHOP.

Why Complexity Theory is Important

Ron discusses Complexity Theory or Chaos Theory as it applies to working with humans. He touches on the idea of complex adaptive systems and why it is important to understand our adaptive capacity. Please note: a full transcript of The Readings is available in the SHOP.

Theories of How the Brain Works – Osaka 2002

“The ultimate goal of therapy is the same as that of the spiritual path, freedom from unnecessary suffering. Most suffering is unnecessary. We reach that goal through our commitment to self-study and authenticity. By studying ourselves, we can discover the inner structures of the mind that cause our suffering.” RK Please note: a full transcript […]

The Importance of Experience in Hakomi

Refering to Richard Feynman’s book Six Easy Pieces, Ron suggests one simple statement that would carry the maximum information about psychotherapy: “All experience is organized by the nervous systems we were born with and the habits our history has left us with.” Please note: a full transcript of The Readings is available in the SHOP.

The Dance

In a reference to Moshe Feldenkrais and his book The Illusive Obvious, Ron writes about dancing with the nervous system of a client. Please note: a full transcript of The Readings is available in the SHOP.

Science Spirit and Psychotherapy

In this essay, Ron places Hakomi within three different disciplines: science, spiritual practice and psychotherapy. Please note: a full transcript of The Readings is available in the SHOP.

Nirodha

“Yoga is the containment (nirodha) of the modifications of the mind.” Patanjali Please note: a full transcript of The Readings is available in the SHOP.

Is It Good For Children?

Reflections on the book The Developing Mind by Daniel Siegel. Please note: a full transcript of The Readings is available in the SHOP.

Integration and the Missing Experience

A discussion of Daniel Siegel’s book The Developing Mind and reflections on integration and healing. Please note: a full transcript of The Readings is available in the SHOP.

If It’s Not Disease

“I don’t think of the Refined Hakomi Method as curing disease. I think of it as a specific type of learning, the unlearning of adaptations that cause unnecessary suffering.” RK Please note: a full transcript of The Readings is available in the SHOP.

The Healing Process 2008

“The impulse to heal is real and powerful and lies within the client. Our job is to evoke that healing power, to meet its tests and needs, and to support it in its expression and development. We are not the healers. We are the context in which healing is inspired.” Please note: a full transcript […]

From “What Works” to Spirituality

Hakomi is based on principles of mindfulness and non-violence which gives it a strong spiritual foundation. Please note: a full transcript of The Readings is available in the SHOP.

From Force to Experiments in Mindfulness

From his background in Bioenergetics, he began to move from the forcefulness of those methods to using experiments in mindfulness. Please note: a full transcript of The Readings is available in the SHOP.

From Experience to Insight

“One of the ways that Hakomi is body centered is that it uses experience as a doorway to insight.” RK Please note: a full transcript of The Readings is available in the SHOP.

An Introduction to the Readings by Georgia Marvin

Ron Kurtz collated some of his writings in an informal publication called “The Readings” which could have been called “Ron’s Musings.” Some of that collection is available as individual essays and the whole collection is available in the SHOP. This document contains some remarks on the collection by Georgia Marvin, one of his legacy holders.

Personhood Series Part 1 – Loving Presence

The Personhood Series is composed of four workshops that could be considered the first level of studying Hakomi. This is the first workshop in that series and is one of the foundations of Ron’s Refined Hakomi Method.

Becoming a Hakomi Trainer

This is a short document published by the Hakomi Education Network to describe the process of becoming a Hakomi Trainer and some of the responsibilities of the role.

Level 1 Training 2008 Part 2

Level 1 Training in 2008 is a series of 23 videos with Ron Kurtz teaching in 2008 at Bodhi House in Olympia, WA.

Legacy Teaching Series Part 17: Hakomi Training Groups

Legacy Teaching Series are composed of 17 videos featuring Donna Martin talking about the main topics in learning Hakomi. This series was videotaped in the home of Georgia Marvin in Powell River, BC in 2017. The videographers, Terry and Sherry, volunteered their time to record these teachings.

Legacy Teaching Series Part 16: Teaching Hakomi

Legacy Teaching Series are composed of 17 videos featuring Donna Martin talking about the main topics in learning Hakomi. This series was videotaped in the home of Georgia Marvin in Powell River, BC in 2017. The videographers, Terry and Sherry, volunteered their time to record these teachings.

Legacy Teaching Series Part 15: Skillful Hakomi

Legacy Teaching Series are composed of 17 videos featuring Donna Martin talking about the main topics in learning Hakomi. This series was videotaped in the home of Georgia Marvin in Powell River, BC in 2017. The videographers, Terry and Sherry, volunteered their time to record these teachings.

Legacy Teaching Series Part 14: Deliberate Practice

Legacy Teaching Series are composed of 17 videos featuring Donna Martin talking about the main topics in learning Hakomi. This series was videotaped in the home of Georgia Marvin in Powell River, BC in 2017. The videographers, Terry and Sherry, volunteered their time to record these teachings.

Legacy Teaching Series Part 13: Integration

Legacy Teaching Series are composed of 17 videos featuring Donna Martin talking about the main topics in learning Hakomi. This series was videotaped in the home of Georgia Marvin in Powell River, BC in 2017. The videographers, Terry and Sherry, volunteered their time to record these teachings.

Legacy Teaching Series Part 12: The Missing Experience

Legacy Teaching Series are composed of 17 videos featuring Donna Martin talking about the main topics in learning Hakomi. This series was videotaped in the home of Georgia Marvin in Powell River, BC in 2017. The videographers, Terry and Sherry, volunteered their time to record these teachings.

Legacy Teaching Series Part 11: Experiments in Mindfulness

Legacy Teaching Series are composed of 17 videos featuring Donna Martin talking about the main topics in learning Hakomi. This series was videotaped in the home of Georgia Marvin in Powell River, BC in 2017. The videographers, Terry and Sherry, volunteered their time to record these teachings.

Legacy Teaching Series Part 10: Hakomi Practices

Legacy Teaching Series are composed of 17 videos featuring Donna Martin talking about the main topics in learning Hakomi. This series was videotaped in the home of Georgia Marvin in Powell River, BC in 2017. The videographers, Terry and Sherry, volunteered their time to record these teachings.

Legacy Teaching Series Part 9: State of Mind

Legacy Teaching Series are composed of 17 videos featuring Donna Martin talking about the main topics in learning Hakomi. This series was videotaped in the home of Georgia Marvin in Powell River, BC in 2017. The videographers, Terry and Sherry, volunteered their time to record these teachings.

Legacy Teaching Series Part 8: Indicators and Beliefs

Legacy Teaching Series are composed of 17 videos featuring Donna Martin talking about the main topics in learning Hakomi. This series was videotaped in the home of Georgia Marvin in Powell River, BC in 2017. The videographers, Terry and Sherry, volunteered their time to record these teachings.

Legacy Teaching Series Part 7: Tracking and Contact

Legacy Teaching Series are composed of 17 videos featuring Donna Martin talking about the main topics in learning Hakomi. This series was videotaped in the home of Georgia Marvin in Powell River, BC in 2017. The videographers, Terry and Sherry, volunteered their time to record these teachings.

Legacy Teaching Series Part 6: Loving Presence

Legacy Teaching Series are composed of 17 videos featuring Donna Martin talking about the main topics in learning Hakomi. This series was videotaped in the home of Georgia Marvin in Powell River, BC in 2017. The videographers, Terry and Sherry, volunteered their time to record these teachings.

Legacy Teaching Series Part 5: Principles of Hakomi

Legacy Teaching Series are composed of 17 videos featuring Donna Martin talking about the main topics in learning Hakomi. This series was videotaped in the home of Georgia Marvin in Powell River, BC in 2017. The videographers, Terry and Sherry, volunteered their time to record these teachings.

Legacy Teaching Series Part 4: Hakomi as Assisted Self Study

Legacy Teaching Series are composed of 17 videos featuring Donna Martin talking about the main topics in learning Hakomi. This series was videotaped in the home of Georgia Marvin in Powell River, BC in 2017. The videographers, Terry and Sherry, volunteered their time to record these teachings.

Legacy Teaching Series Part 3: From Techniques to a Method

Legacy Teaching Series are composed of 17 videos featuring Donna Martin talking about the main topics in learning Hakomi. This series was videotaped in the home of Georgia Marvin in Powell River, BC in 2017. The videographers, Terry and Sherry, volunteered their time to record these teachings.

Legacy Teaching Series Part 2: The Evolution of Hakomi

Legacy Teaching Series are composed of 17 videos featuring Donna Martin talking about the main topics in learning Hakomi. This series was videotaped in the home of Georgia Marvin in Powell River, BC in 2017. The videographers, Terry and Sherry, volunteered their time to record these teachings.

Legacy Teaching Series Part 1: An Introduction to Hakomi

Legacy Teaching Series are composed of 17 videos featuring Donna Martin talking about the main topics in learning Hakomi. This series was videotaped in the home of Georgia Marvin in Powell River, BC in 2017. The videographers, Terry and Sherry, volunteered their time to record these teachings.

ENTREVISTA 4

An interview during the HEN Congress in Mexico City in 2024.

ENTREVISTA 11

An interview during the HEN Congress in Mexico City in 2024.

ENTREVISTA 10

An interview during the HEN Congress in Mexico City in 2024.

ENTREVISTA 6

An interview during the HEN Congress in Mexico City in 2024.

ENTREVISTA 5

An interview during the HEN Congress in Mexico City in 2024.

ENTREVISTA 3

An interview during the HEN Congress in Mexico City in 2024.

Level 1 Training 2008 Part 9

Level 1 Training in 2008 is a series of 23 videos with Ron Kurtz teaching in 2008 at Bodhi House in Olympia, WA.

Level 1 Training 2008 Part 8

Level 1 Training in 2008 is a series of 23 videos with Ron Kurtz teaching in 2008 at Bodhi House in Olympia, WA.

Level 1 Training 2008 Part 7

Level 1 Training in 2008 is a series of 23 videos with Ron Kurtz teaching in 2008 at Bodhi House in Olympia, WA.

Level 1 Training 2008 Part 6

Level 1 Training in 2008 is a series of 23 videos with Ron Kurtz teaching in 2008 at Bodhi House in Olympia, WA.

Level 1 Training 2008 Part 5

Level 1 Training in 2008 is a series of 23 videos with Ron Kurtz teaching in 2008 at Bodhi House in Olympia, WA.

Level 1 Training 2008 Part 4

Level 1 Training in 2008 is a series of 23 videos with Ron Kurtz teaching in 2008 at Bodhi House in Olympia, WA.

Level 1 Training 2008 Part 3

Level 1 Training in 2008 is a series of 23 videos with Ron Kurtz teaching in 2008 at Bodhi House in Olympia, WA.

Level 1 Training 2008 Part 1

Level 1 Training in 2008 is a series of 23 videos with Ron Kurtz teaching in 2008 at Bodhi House in Olympia, WA.

Taking Over

This video is from the level 1 training in 2008.

Six Skill Sets with Georgia Marvin

This talk is based on one of the chapters in The Hakomi Way: Consciousness & Heaing. Filmed in 2017 in Georgia’s home in Powell River, BC.

Ron Kurtz and His Legacy

This video clip is in response to a question posed by one of his students in the level 1 training in 2008.

Rilke Poem

Ron always put this poem at the front of his training manuals and dedicated it to his beloved wife, Terry Toth. In his book, The Hakomi Way: Consciousness and Healing, we placed it next to the Foreword. He says, “With you my love, it was easy.” After his death, I was helping Terry sort all […]

Presence

This video clip is from a master class in 2010.

Memory Reconsolidation

This video clip is from an advanced class in 2010 at Bodhi House in Olympia Washington.

Healing

This is a short clip from an advanced class in 2010 at Bodhi House, Olympia, Washington.

Experimental Attitude

This short clip is from an advanced class in 2010 at Bodhi House, Olympia, Washington.

Evolution of Hakomi

Speaking in 2001, Ron is explaining how Hakomi evolved from techniques to a method, to the qualities of a healing relationship to the state of mind of the therapist. At the end of this short video, he comments, “I don’t know where it’s going next.” That was the spirit of Hakomi from the founder’s perspective […]

Experimental Method 2009

What makes the Hakomi process work is that we test our ideas. Hakomi is an experimental method. Ron Kurtz wrote: “The unique contribution of Hakomi is that the method contains, as a necessary element, precise experiments done with a person in a mindful state, the purpose being to evoke emotions, memories and reactions that will […]

Freedom

Ron Kurtz is speaking to a group of students in 2001 and talking about his mission which he calls his “main job,” a lifetime mission to inspire people to see what is possible and to provide a wider range of freedom in their lives. He quotes Chogyam Trungpa: “The basic work of health professionals in […]

My Mission

Ron Kurtz tells the story of his visit with Swami Rama in which the Swami told him that he had a mission to create a new psychotherapy.

The Healing Relationship

Ron describes his understanding of the healing process that changed from intrapsychic to interpersonal. Please note: a full transcript of The Readings is available in the SHOP.

The Importance of the Body and Experience in Hakomi

Hakomi is a body-centered therapy: “The focus of Hakomi is on bodily experiences like sensations, emotions, tensions and movements.” RK Please note: a full transcript of The Readings is available in the SHOP.

Personhood: Warmth and Wakefulness

“…of all the factors that make psychotherapy effective, the most important one is the client. The second most important thing is therapist personal factors. Mahoney calls that Personhood.” This is a wonderful essay on the importance of the personhood of the therapist with quotations from Mahoney (Human Change Process), Bergen and Lambert, Jean Liedloff, David […]

Healing Process Talk 2008

“The impulse to heal is real and powerful and lies within the client. Our job is to evoke that healing power, to meet its tests and needs and to support it in its expression and development. We are not the healers. We are the context in which healing is inspired.” RK Please note: a full […]

Becoming a Student of Hakomi

This document is very userful to help students or clients of Hakomi what to expect when they are either learning the method or experiencing it in a therapeutic setting.

A Tour of Hakomi.com