The Kahuna (Indigenous People of Hawaii) have a ceremony of healing and self-empowerment called Ho’oponopono (meaning “to set things right”). This sacred process has been used throughout the ages for personal and communal healing. I do not claim to fully understand the rich history of the Kahuna or the depths of their traditions. I am aware of the dangers of “Cultural Appropriation,” and how westerners often “pave over” the subtleties and nuances of Indigenous Wisdom. At risk of making this similar mistake, I will share an overview of how the Ho’oponopono Prayer has supported me on my journey. If you are sincere about diving deep into this Healing Tool, I invite you to seek out a Kahuna Elder such as Aunty Mahealani ( Alohaspiritaunty.com ), or study the work of Morrnah Simeona and Dr. Stan Hew Len (Hooponopono.org ).
The Ho’oponopono prayer consists of 4 basic phrases :
Thank You
I’m Sorry
Please Forgive Me
I Love You
Throughout my travels, I have encountered various different teachings and workshops related to the Ho’oponopono prayer. The form that resonates most with me is based on these core principles as I understand them :
1. We all share one collective consciousness.
2. Any actions we have done towards others, we have essentially done to ourselves.
3. In order to change the outer situation or person, we must come to peace and heal within ourselves.
4. We can use the Ho’oponopono prayer to reconcile with a part of ourselves, another person / being, or an event / situation.
One of my first and most profound experiences using this process happened back in 2013. I went to my favorite local yoga studio (Frick Park - an outdoor Natural Area in Peaceburgh) and began practicing my usual Vinyasa Flow in the grass. I was getting into the groove, and starting to break a sweat, when a big fly landed on my leg. This fly seemed to have a bad temper, and quickly began biting me (I sensed the fly was male). I shooed him away, and returned to my practice.
Two minutes later, the fly returned, this time he began biting my arm as I held my pose. This was no friendly bite! He was really getting vicious! Yoga usually makes me relaxed, though now I was losing my cool. I exclaimed, “What the hell, man?!” I picked up my yoga mat, and moved about 50 feet away to a different area, in attempt to dodge this insect attack.
Nevertheless, this bugger found me again, and went straight for my ankle. This time he bit me so hard I began bleeding. Now I was downright angry. “What the eff is your problem, dude?! I’m just doing my practice, let me be.” This crazed fly kept circling me. He landed on my foot again. Before he started biting me, I thought, “Maybe he just wants love?”
I put the palms of my hands towards him and began repeating the Ho’oponopono Prayer. “Thank You, I’m Sorry, Please Forgive Me, I Love You.” As soon I said these words, he stood frozen on the surface of my skin. Time stood still. Again I said, “Thank You, I’m Sorry, Please Forgive Me, I Love You.” I could tell he felt it. I was awestruck.
Instead of responding to his aggression with resistance and frustration, I responded with acceptance and love. He didn’t know what to do. For several minutes, we gazed at each other as I repeated those 4 phrases over and over. All the scenery around us fell quiet, as we moved deeply into the present moment. It felt like we were reconciling some conflict from a past life!
When I felt like the process was complete, I thanked him once more. He was still frozen on my foot. He probably wanted to just be my friend now. I shooed him away, and he did not come back for the rest of my yoga practice. I could barely believe what had just happened. I watched the most angry fly I’d ever encountered become totally peaceful right before my eyes, simply by sharing Love and Forgiveness.
I was now convinced that the Ho’oponopono Prayer was an extremely powerful healing tool. Since this experience several years ago, I have watched this tool work miracles over and over again in my life, and in the lives of my friends who also utilize it with sincerity.
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Sometimes I add a 5th phrase to the original 4, which is “I Forgive You” or “I Forgive Myself” I find that this adds to the depth of self-forgiveness, which is crucial, because guilt and shame block us from experiencing the goodness of life.
1. Have you ever experimented with the Ho’oponopono prayer?
2. Is there a person or event that comes to mind, that you could send some love and forgiveness?
3. Please reflect on any events in your life that were traumatic, and try saying the Ho’oponopono prayer to that version of yourself that went through those events.
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Thank you for reading. This was an excerpt from Philo Lila’s book “The New Earth Is Here.” To get your own copy please follow this link.
