Explore your inner world to find new resources of creativity and agents of change that come from the root of your being. Our ideas of ourselves and our health are deeply entrenched in mental habits and believes we may not even be completely aware of. All of the methods Dr. Hackett teaches and advocates are techniques built into philosophies that are thousands of years old. There is no need to make a change in your current spiritual or religious choices. These techniques often help you develop an even broader understanding of your faith. If you are not religious, that’s not an issue either. The goal here is to create a basis for conscious self-development.
Tracy is the real deal. She helped me understand in a step-by-step way how to meditate and create a sense of calm...just focusing on how I breathe. It's harder than it sounds, but worth the effort.`` - S. Hayes
You may say: “I can’t meditate…my mind is too scattered…too (fill-in-the-blank)” I hear this everyday from patients stressed to their limits, unsure of how to make their lives happier, doubting that a busy life could be anything else except a white-knuckle ride putting out one fire to the next. The uncertainty of life and it’s disappointing surprises can contribute to your strength and resilience. There is no need to drag these experiences through life until they lose their apparent weight. Understanding the structure and function of your mind can change the way you process stressors in your life.
“Mindfulness” and “meditation” and “zen” are buzz words that may not fully register in meaning because they are being overused for things with only a veneer of the true intent of the words. Meditation is a state of mind, not a function of the brain. Let me repeat that: Meditation is a state of mind, not a function of the brain.
Experiencing that meditative state of mind requires an exploration of a fundamental question. There is a way to understand the aggregates of the ‘self’ that is “I”. Who is “I”? You have many parts of ‘self’; physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, and many smaller subcategories, but still parts of the whole. So then, your sense of who you are comes from someplace. The objective sense of “I”, past the aggregates, is where meditation takes you.
You can understand yourself better by transcending to an objective space which helps you move through problems into solutions. One benefit is instead of grasping for defenses, is establishing a deeper understanding of a broader view. Through simple techniques, you learn how to calm your mind and encourage deeper sleep step-by-step on your own power. The instructions become more detailed as your awareness and understanding deepen, so too do the instructions. A daily habit of meditation is the best way to get the most benefit, but it may be something you need to build up to. There should be a pleasure and comfort in the idea of taking refuge in the meditative process, not work. This also invites a shift in your perspective about what ‘work’ actually means.
Ehipassiko (Pali) means “come and see”. It is an invitation to step out of your cocoon of what you think your life and mind are to see things anew. It is a request to open to the techniques of broadening your awareness, not just accepting a sweet sounding platitude for rote reality.
The fitness trio that helps you stay healthy throughout your entire life, no matter how your ability level changes.
YOGA – Slow, intentional movement through each asana (“seat”) is the vehicle of yoga (“union”). The different postures in yoga practice challenge you to consider how your mind and body “sit” together in a life often clouded by the wants and agitation of the “monkey mind”.
QIGONG – a form of meditative movement that is at the core of any solid marital arts practice, but it is also a peer tool in mind-body medicine to heal yourself. Simple repetitive movements, visualization meditation, mindful breathing, and sound form this method of achieving a profound sense of well-being.
TAI CHI – slow movements in succession that challenge right-left upper-lower in contralateral coordination is as much an exercise for the mind as it is for the body. Also an essential aspect of a solid martial arts practice, but healing for the body as well. Studies have shown that tai chi practiced regularly encouraged better flexibility, mental alertness, bone density, and muscle mass in older individuals…but why wait? Start today.
“Who Am I?” “Why am I here?” “What the bleep am I doing with my life??” These existential questions are fundamental to being a conscious human being. Sometimes those questions get stuffed into a small room at the end of narrow corridor in our heart-mind only to surface later on when there is a fundamental shake up in our lives.
Inner Jewel Journeywork is a method of guided introspection that Dr. Hackett has developed over years of meditation and study with shamans and experts from across the globe. The technique is based on a narrative to pull symbols and soul-story from the deepest level of your mind and soul. Your answers and path are unique to you. Only you can ultimately know what the soul-story culled from your interior means. Dr. Hackett can help you get to the narrative. It is recommended that you set this appointment up at least one week in advance and fill out the standard health intake form.
Inner Jewel Journeywork appointments are offered in the evening so that you may go home, reflect, and relax after the session. Journaling is recommended, as is traditional talk therapy. If you do not have a therapist and would like a referral there are several compassionate and gifted people in the area that we can refer you to.
Your breath is the one involuntary response that you have complete volutary control over. The depth and rhythm of your breathing informs your autonomic nervous system if you are triggering into fight-or-flight response or that the ‘coast is clear’ and it’s okay to relax.
Learn some simple breathing techniques, tailored to your needs, from Dr. Hackett to add depth and balance to your yoga, pilates, or daily exercise routine. Learn to take control of your life by rooting back into your center through your breath.