Do you harbor anger and resentment toward someone? Are you ashamed or guilt-ridden about something you’ve done or failed to do? Are you afraid you’re not living up to your ultimate potential? If so, Ho’oponopono technique may be a life-changing solution.
The act of forgiveness is a long-standing practice and a proven method of healing emotional and psychological wounds. Ho'oponopono is the Hawaiian semi-formal practice of forgiveness – for self and for others. In a nutshell, it’s a simple invocation that taps into your internal powerful positive energy, allowing you to release the negative energies of resentment, anger, shame, ill will, and bitterness. Through this process, you can manifest a happier, healthier, more balanced life.
Ho’oponopono is both a Hawaiian word and ancient spiritual practice. The rough translation of the word Ho’oponopono means “to set things right.” Breaking down the word; “ho’o” is a verb meant to put something into action and “pono” means right, morality, goodness, and balanced. Note that “pono” is repeated. That infers emphasis on “rightness” for both yourself and others.
In the 1970s, Kahuna Morrnah Nalamaku Simeona developed an updated version of the practice of Ho’oponopono called Self I-Dentity through Ho’oponopono – SITH. Today, it’s applied as a self-help technique by many.
To understand how Ho’oponopono works, you must first understand Huna, the ancient Hawaiian philosophy of life. Seven core principles guide this approach to life and the perception of the world around us and within us.
Our thoughts, ideas, and beliefs create our individual and personal reality.
The only limitations we experience are those we create in our minds. We must conquer limiting internal belief systems to manifest our desires in the outer world.
We create results, events, and actions through the focus of our attention and energies.
It’s vital that we live in the Now because we cannot change the past and planning for the future means you’re missing the present.
“Aloha” has many meanings, but unselfish love is perhaps the most powerful one, and it delivers happiness.
This is the source of the universal power of the universe that flows within all of us, as well as throughout all existence.
Living truthfully with morality and goodness is a virtue.
Now that you have a basic overview of Huna, let’s revisit Ho’oponopono. When applying this spiritual practice, you do so with the understanding that you are responsible for everything that happens through the principle of IKE. So, you have the power to produce results in your reality through Ho’oponopono.
Moreover, KALA teaches us that your mind has limitless power to make positive changes. Therefore, you can overcome your negative feelings of shame or inadequacy by simply believing you can. That belief gives the Ho’oponopono mantra its transformative power.
MANA clarifies how your internal power can impact anything and everything since the entirety of the universe is linked through shared energy. This interconnectedness explains how your internal beliefs and focused energy can influence people, events, and other things in the perceived outside world.
By embracing MANAWA, you accept that what has happened in the past is of no importance and it should have no power over you. Embrace the present with love and acceptance, and the future will sort itself out in a positive way as it unfolds.
When you chant the Ho’oponopono prayer, you are directing your attention and energy towards personal growth, forgiveness, healing, and positive transformation. MAKIA teaches us that that attention delivers change through the power of focused energy.
The “I love you” part of the Ho’oponopono mantra welcomes the principle of ALOHA by supporting self-love and love of others. Love equates joy, helping deliver contentment and peace.
Finally, PONO guides our behavior, instructing us to act with the utmost morality, decency, and integrity. With Ho’oponopono, you are righting wrongs, embracing pono, and acting to set thing right by bringing your energy into balance.
This simple, yet beautiful practice uses the power of words to deliver comfort, healing, love of self, and balanced energy. Many people think of it as a prayer. Though you don’t have to pray to any specific deity. Others may consider it a sort of mantra, like those used in meditation. Regardless of the term you use to define Ho’oponopono, the central concept is to embrace forgiveness while you recite its healing words.
Step 1: Express Remorse
Recognize and acknowledge your transgressions or wrongdoings. Take responsibility for the problems you’re struggling with: I’m sorry.
Step 2: Ask for Forgiveness
Accept that you are worthy of forgiveness and give yourself permission to ask for it: Please forgive me.
Step 3: Express Love
Provide your own forgiveness to yourself and others: I love you.
Step 4: Express Gratitude
Be appreciative of the power of forgiveness and then, move on: Thank you.
Amazingly enough, that’s it! You simply open your heart and mind and chant the words “I’m sorry. Please forgive me. Thank you. I love you.” several times.
You’re struggling to quit smoking and you’ve decided to try Ho’oponopono as a self-help technique to do so. First, you must accept responsibility for your nicotine habit. Understand that your mind has manifested an addiction to cigarettes and nicotine. But you also know that you have the power to overcome that belief within you. That power is limitless, and it extends to everything around you, including cigarettes.
Use the Ho’oponopono mantra to concentrate on what’s happening right now – perhaps a craving for a smoke. Don’t think about when you started smoking or times you’ve tried to quit in the past. Likewise, avoid looking toward the future, whether picturing yourself still smoking or seeing yourself cigarette-free. By focusing your attention on not smoking right now and how you’re feeling about it, you direct your energies to resolving this problem.
“I’m sorry.” (I am responsible for my addiction. I accept that responsibility and I am sorry that something in my consciousness has created this negative manifestation.)
“Please forgive me.” (It’s okay to forgive myself for this, especially because I have the power within myself to make a change in the present moment.)
“I love you.” (Love is powerful, beautiful, and joyful. I am powerful, beautiful, and joyful.)
“Thank you.” (I appreciate myself, my power, my resolve, and my truth.)
When you first start using Ho’oponopono, you may find it helpful to sit somewhere quiet with your eyes closed. Take a few deep, cleansing breaths and center yourself before beginning. After eight or nine recitations, sit quietly for two or three minutes, letting the message and its meaning wash over you.
Eventually, when you need to boost your confidence, settle yourself, or provide self-comfort, you will be able to recite the Ho’oponopono mantra internally in various settings and situations. Additionally, you may use it subliminally by playing the prayer in the background while resting or working.
Give yourself time. Love yourself. Forgive yourself. Through these efforts, you can manifest a balanced, truthful, happy existence with Ho’oponopono.
Self-guided meditation and DIY self-help options are a wonderful start to uplifting your life. Begin by joining a Facebook group for guidance, tips, and a supportive community. But while those options are a good start, to unlock all the benefits of Ho’oponopono and literally rid your life of negativity, look into getting a coach. Here are two options I recommend checking out:
Mabel Katz – Join a supportive community of Ho’oponopono members and get private forum access, inspirational materials, live monthly Q&A sessions, and other resources that will allow you to unlock the power of Ho’oponopono. Join the community risk-free with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Joe Vitale – Master Ho’oponopono for yourself, and then earn certification to teach and help others. This online course can be completed quickly with expert guidance, instruction, and in-depth educational materials on the art of Ho’oponopono. Learn more about this extensive course.
With the practice of Ho’oponopono, you can connect with the divine, heal yourself, and take control of your life. This practice lets you remove negativity, mental and emotional obstacles, and psychic pain. Let it help you move past limiting, painful memories and harmful beliefs. Take the first step and give a try with the healing Ho’oponopono prayer.
