The ShinsungHwa of David Hawkins (2019) – Painting the Soul’s Energy
A Brief Overview of David Hawkins’ ShinsungHwa:
ShinsungHwa represents a unique artistic practice where symbolic elements come together to form rich visual narratives, each carrying profound meaning and spiritual depth. These symbols, manifested through geometric shapes and patterns, interact in intricate and mysterious ways. Key motifs such as the spiritual core, the path to the spiritual core, and the symbol of the light are carefully positioned to enhance the overall message and create a cohesive spiritual expression.
“Love is misunderstood to be an emotion; actually, it is a state of awareness, a way of being in the world, a way of seeing oneself and others.”
_David Hawkins
A Story Begins: From Wisconsin to the World
David R. Hawkins was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in 1927, a time and place far removed from the spiritual stages and global audiences he would one day command. Growing up in the American Midwest, Hawkins displayed an early curiosity about the mysteries of life—a curiosity that would eventually lead him on a remarkable journey bridging the worlds of science and spirituality. After serving in the U.S. Navy during World War II, he pursued a medical degree, graduating from the Medical College of Wisconsin in 1953. For the next quarter-century, New York became his home and laboratory, where he pioneered new approaches in psychiatry and mental health.
“The crucial point is: by changing ourselves, we change the world. As we become more loving on the inside, healing occurs on the outside.”
_David Hawkins
A Trailblazer in Psychiatry
Hawkins’s early career was defined by innovation and compassion. As Medical Director of the North Nassau Mental Health Center and Director of Research at Brunswick Hospital, he oversaw what became the largest psychiatric practice in New York, treating thousands of patients and publishing widely in medical journals. His groundbreaking work with Nobel Laureate Linus Pauling on Orthomolecular Psychiatry in 1973 helped launch a new field focused on the biochemical roots of mental illness. His clinical achievements earned him appearances on national television and recognition from leading psychiatric associations.
Yet, even at the height of his medical career, Hawkins was searching for something deeper. He was not content merely to treat symptoms—he wanted to understand the root causes of human suffering and the nature of consciousness itself.
“We change the world not by what we say or do, but as a consequence of what we have become.”
_David Hawkins
A Mystical Awakening
Midlife brought Hawkins a life-altering spiritual experience, one that shattered his previous understanding of reality and revealed, in his words, “the Oneness of All Existence”. This awakening was not a fleeting insight but a profound transformation that would take decades to fully articulate and share with the world. Hawkins’s journey mirrors the archetypal “hero’s journey” found in many cultures: the call to adventure, the crossing of thresholds, and the return with wisdom to benefit others.
In 1983, Hawkins founded the Institute for Spiritual Research, signaling a new chapter in his life’s work—one dedicated to exploring the intersection of science and spirituality. He became a sought-after lecturer, speaking at Westminster Abbey, the Oxford Forum, Harvard University, and spiritual centers around the globe. His audiences included not only scientists and medical professionals but also seekers from every spiritual tradition.
“The source of happiness is within oneself.”
_David Hawkins
The Map of Consciousness: Bridging Science and Spirit
Perhaps Hawkins’s most enduring legacy is his “Map of Consciousness,” introduced in his influential book Power vs. Force (1995). This innovative scale sought to quantify human consciousness, assigning numerical values to emotional and spiritual states—from shame and fear at the lower end, to love, joy, peace, and enlightenment at the highest levels. Drawing on principles from quantum physics and nonlinear dynamics, Hawkins argued that each level of consciousness acts as an “attractor field,” shaping our perceptions, emotions, and even our collective destiny.
The Map of Consciousness was more than a theoretical model; it offered a practical framework for spiritual growth. Hawkins’s books, including The Eye of the I, I: Reality and Subjectivity, and Letting Go: The Pathway of Surrender, provided accessible guidance for readers seeking to transcend the ego and realize their true nature. His teachings emphasized timeless virtues—compassion, humility, forgiveness, and surrender to the Divine—while remaining grounded in empirical research and clinical experience.
“What is important is not what you have, but what you do with what you have.”
_David Hawkins
A Teacher for the Modern Age
Hawkins’s appeal lay in his ability to speak across boundaries—between East and West, science and spirituality, tradition and modernity. He was honored worldwide, receiving titles such as “Foremost Teacher of Enlightenment” and “Bodhisattva” (a term from Mahayana Buddhism meaning one who is dedicated to the enlightenment of all beings).
Despite his achievements, Hawkins remained humble, often describing himself as a servant to humanity’s spiritual evolution. He advised Catholic, Protestant, and Buddhist monasteries, conferred with governments on matters of peace, and inspired countless individuals through his public talks and writings. His teachings were not bound by dogma but aimed at universal truths accessible to people of all backgrounds.
Legacy and Lasting Impact
Dr. Hawkins passed away in 2012 at his home in Sedona, Arizona, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire seekers worldwide. His blend of scientific rigor and mystical insight has influenced fields as diverse as psychology, medicine, consciousness research, and spiritual practice. His books, translated into more than twenty-five languages, remain bestsellers and are cited by spiritual teachers, clinicians, and lay readers alike.
Hawkins’s story is ultimately one of integration—of head and heart, intellect and intuition, science and spirit. He demonstrated that the pursuit of knowledge and the quest for meaning are not mutually exclusive, but rather complementary paths toward understanding the human condition. Through his life and work, Hawkins offered a compelling vision: that enlightenment is not reserved for the few, but is a real and attainable goal for all who seek it with sincerity and dedication.
