Ho’oponopono

The powerful message of love and forgiveness using Ho’oponopono (Ho-o-pono-pono) technique came up on the Internet a while ago.

You even may remember the story of Hawaiian therapist who cured criminally insane patients, without spending a moment with them in the same room. Name of this therapist was Dr. Ihaleakala Hew Len. He reviewed each of the patients’ files and then he healed them by healing himself. He used an ancient Hawaiian practice of reconciliation, love and forgiveness that called Ho’oponopono.

The literal translation of Ho’oponopono is “to put to right; to put in order or shape, correct, revise, adjust, amend, regulate, arrange, rectify, tidy up, make orderly or neat.”

The technique by itself is very simple: Thinking about certain situation or person, you have to repeat mentally or aloud the number of times:

“I’m sorry. Please forgive me. Thank you. I love you.”

When I decided to try this technique for the first time, I did not believe that repetition of these words can change my life much. I did it out of curiosity, trying to understand if it was anything useful behind it. Long ago I couldn’t understand the amount of transformational and healing power it could have. To my surprise, after practicing Ho’oponopono for a week, I noticed some changes in my relationships with people I cared about, I noticed some positive changes in my life.

I had times when people were coming back to me saying “I’m sorry” or “Let’s talk about this” right after our conflict followed by my practice of “I’m sorry. Please forgive me. Thank you. I love you.” It worked!

Today, having the knowledge and positive experience with great deal of different techniques, which I practise and teach for many years, I agree with the recognition of the concept of Ho’oponopono as a valuable, important and useful technique for the humanity. It has been defined as a forgiveness and reconciliation practice, cleansing of ‘errors of thinking’ – the origin of problems and sickness. The message of gratitude and love that it has may shift one’s level of awareness far beyond one’s expectations.

The best part of the updated version of Ho’oponopono is that you can do it yourself; you don’t need anyone else to be there, you don’t need anyone to hear you.

It is simple. It is the magic tool of mastering your own life. It can work for you too, as it did for so many people.

How to practice.

The effect of this practice would be more powerful if you do it on a permanent basis: every day or once a week. Use it every time you feel hurt or upset with somebody: your partner, your child or your best friend. Use it, when you think some relationship should be changed. Do it and be surprised!

“I’m sorry. Please forgive me. Thank you. I love you.”

1st step: I’m sorry

When you say, “I’m sorry”, you take 100 percent responsibility for your intentions, thoughts, and actual steps.

It means that you are aware that your every single action affects people from your circle and the world around you. It is like you say:

“I realize that I am responsible for the (issue) in my life and I feel remorse that something in my consciousness has caused this.”

2d step: Please forgive me

From the repentance that you have just created in your heart during the first step, say, “Forgive me”. Say it. Mean it. Do it from your heart.

But I want you to realise that it is nothing to do with the gilt. The gilt itself is a very destructive feeling. It helps neither you nor the person towards whom you feel it.

3d step: Thank you

From the bottom of your heart, say, “Thank you!”. Say it to the people who love you. Tell that to those who you think hurt you. Thank all challenging situations and people who and what helped you to grow up, helped you to realise how strong you are. Gratitude is a choice. Make yours. Chose a fullness of your heart that moves you from pain and fear to love and happiness.

4th step: I love you

The “secret” key for this step is within you. There is only one way to be able to love: start from yourself. Love yourself the way you are. Except yourself with all the weaknesses you have and all the strengths. When you are able to love yourself you’ll accept and love others with all their weaknesses and strengths. You’ll be ABLE to love. Love has a power to remove ALL obstacles on your way.

Say, “I love you” to yourself and to others as often as possible.

“No one wanted the job I did with the criminally insane. They were averaging about one psychologist a month. But I got asked. We had about 25-30 people. Half of them would be in shackles at the ankles or the wrists because they were dangerous. They could either kick you or slam you. Everyone would walk with their back toward the wall so that they wouldn’t get struck. They had no family visits. No one could leave the building. A year and a half later there was none of that. There were people going out on bus rides. Nobody in shackles. The level of medication dropped. What did I do?  I worked on myself. I took 100% responsibility”.
Dr Hew Len, Shamanic Wisdomkeepers