“I’m sorry. Please forgive me. I love you. Thank you.”
These four simple, yet powerful statements are the core of Ho’oponopono, the Hawaiian forgiveness practice. They are a direct way for us to not only step out of individual victimhood and into greater personal power. They also offer an opportunity to reduce suffering on a greater, even global scale.
How is this done?
It is done by us first taking 100% responsibility for EVERYTHING we encounter in our reality.
We see something that we don’t like, like racism, and we search inside of ourselves, until we find a place where we recognize racist tendencies, thoughts or remember racist behaviors, even if those seem barely there. Then we choose to let go of those “programs” by sincerely asking for forgiveness, by recognizing our oneness with everything and by knowing and trusting that - through the power of true remorse - forgiveness is granted. And as we are a part of the greater whole, so does the healing affect all else.
I had read the story of Dr. Ihaleakala Hew Len, a Hawaiian PhD psychiatrist, who had chosen to work on a psychiatric ward of prisoners that could not keep their staff due to the intense work conditions. Dr. Hew Len would read every patient’s chart over and over, finding inside of himself places that related to the crimes he read about. He understood that he could not possibly experience a world with violence if there was no violence within himself. Thus, he transmuted each trauma and, after several months, the prisoners were not only healed of their psychiatric diseases and the staff enjoyed their work, the entire ward was eventually closed.
I also had the opportunity to talk with a Samoan wisdomkeeper who shared a some perls of wisdom from his tradition with me. He said, that there were four principles that were of utmost importance: Humility, Respect, Love and Forgiveness. And that the first 3 were meaningless without the last one, Forgiveness, in his language Ho’oponopono.
This really struck me as love is usally the ultimate state or vibration in spiritual teachings.
After studying the principles, I decided to use the Ho’oponopono on a couple of for me very difficult issues. I honestly couldn’t imagine how I could possibly come to neutrality or peace with those stories. But I gave it a sincere try and I can honestly say that the transformation and healing I experienced from it were instant, powerful, complete as well as lasting.
Since then, I have used Ho'oponopono on a continuous, sometimes daily basis and find great strength, healing and peace in it.
Beautiful is also that Ho’oponopono can be done by ourselves – no therapist or practitioner is needed. It’s between us and the great spirit that flows through all things.
Aloha and Mahalo, Skye
Recommended:
books: Ho’oponopono, The Hawaiian Forgiveness Ritual as the Key to your Life’s Fullfilment by Ulrich Deupree; Zero Limits, The Secret Hawaiian System for Wealth, Health, Peace and More by Joe Vitale and Dr. Hew Len
youtube: Dr. Hew Len on Ho'oponopono