Self Care: Hudhoor - Presence
When you’re feeling un-grounded there are a few things that can help. This ‘Self Care’ series discusses some Islamic Counselling techniques to restore the sense of being present in the beautiful, alive body Allah has granted you as your vessel for your time in this rich, stimulating reality.
When you are in a state of presence, called hudhoor, not only are you able to fully appreciate the beautiful and good things in life, from a cool drink of clear water to sunshine on your face, it is also easier to put the stressful, distracting, and alienating aspects of life into a less exaggerated light. When we are not present, problems and misfortune can overwhelm us and tire us out, and make it harder for us to address the root of the problem, protect ourselves, or move on from trauma. When circumstances or worries take out out of hudhoor it can lead to being un-grounded long-term. This can even lead to chronic tiredness, inflammation, insomnia, poor circulation and aches and pains all over the body, so it’s good to try and catch it early by practicing being present in your day to day life.
You can do this by taking five minutes, with a glass of water and even a snack. Move to a new place of position. Somewhere you feel comfortable. Distractions are ok, but can make it harder in the beginning. Take a few breaths and put a hand on your heart to feel your heartbeat. Stretch your back or neck if you need to. Try to sink into your own body. Then move your attention out from yourself. Focus on being fully in hudhoor to your senses, noticing every sound, like birdsong or all the layers in a favourite nasheed/song. Try and feel every movement of air and the temperature or feel of fabric on your skin, and savour every mouthful of food or drink. This can bring you back to the present moment in an integrated and balanced way. Be kind and compassionate if you cannot always achieve this. It takes time and practice in very small steps.
It’s important to remember that if you are struggling with deeper mental health issues, trauma, or in abusive or unstable circumstances this is not a complete solution, and you should not worry that any struggles with hudhoor are the cause or the root of your problems, and cannot be the whole solution. An Islamic counsellor or other mental health service can help you figure out a complete package of tools for processing your day to day feelings, resolving issues in your life, and help you make choices for a smoother, healthier, journey through life.
