When a teacher passes the fire on: John Hawken and his legacy with us

The beginning of the journey

When I first met John, I was struck by the fact that he did not speak like a teacher. He did not try to persuade or present “the right way.” Instead, he asked questions and allowed silence for answers to mature. In a world full of noise, this was unexpected. The body settled. It began to listen. And so did I.

John’s path was diverse: theatre, psychology, therapeutic approaches, eventually leading to body movement, tantra, and shamanic work. His trainings around the world carried a distinctive signature: the integration of ancient wisdom with a contemporary understanding of relationships, energy, and consciousness.

What influenced me most, however, was not the content but the way. He did not offer techniques as guaranteed solutions. He offered space. And trust that what truly matters already lives within us.

Tantra without glitter

The tantra John embodied was not about spectacle. Not about perfection. Not about performance. He taught us to be. In the body. In the present moment. To feel, even when it was uncomfortable. To touch, even when something inside hesitated to live, without the urge to immediately “fix” it. This radical honesty touched me deeply. He played no role. He wore no mask of the “conscious person.” He stood exactly where he was, sometimes broken, sometimes alive. Both true.

Shamanism as a return to simplicity

John’s shamanic work was not detached from everyday life. It did not suggest that we must retreat to the mountains to connect with nature. It taught us to perceive the body as a landscape. To listen to the breath like wind. Emotions as flowing water. Tension as the signal of fire. And touch as the presence of earth. It sounds simple. And perhaps that is why it is so difficult. Because simplicity requires courage.

Sexuality as a flow of energy, not a final destination

In his work, sexuality was not separated from the whole. It was a natural force, a current that enlivens relationships, creativity, and being itself. When he spoke about sexuality, there was calm presence. No embellishment, no pressure. Just a space where one could become aware of what they feel and what they need. The parts that were not easy moved me forward. They helped me understand myself better. Relationships. Boundaries. And that a deep “no” can be just as important as an open “yes.”

A touch that transforms

John knew how to hold a safe space, even when it was not always comfortable. Sometimes he went to the core. But never without respect. His approach did not come from authority, but from trust in each person’s inner knowing. That was his strength. And perhaps also his humor, dry and British, yet deeply human.

The body carries many memories. One of the strongest was when the massage team created a private circle for us. Intimate, raw, and held by sincerity that remains. It was a gift. And I feel it to this day.

In farewell – and onward

John has ended his public work. His voice has grown quiet, but his teaching has spread into the bodies of those he touched. Into our hands. Breath. Words. Silence. My own work today draws from many sources. But he was the one who opened the gate.

I do not need to idealize him. But I want to say thank you. Because sometimes a person’s influence is felt by those who could not name it. And who allow themselves to hear it. It has long been sounding within.