How to be your own healer - Part 3 - Ho’oponopono
HO’OPONOPONO - HAWAIIAN PRAYER FOR FORGIVENESS
“I’M SORRY, PLEASE FORGIVE ME, THANK YOU, I LOVE YOU”
The Hawaiian Prayer for Forgiveness is called “Ho’oponopono” (pronounced - Ho-oh-Po-no-Po-no).
I was introduced to this beautiful Hawaiian practice a number of years ago and was recently reminded of the immense healing power of this very simple prayer and mantra.
The Hawaiian word Ho’oponopono translates into English simply as correction. Similar forgiveness practices are performed on islands throughout the South Pacific including , Samoa,Tahiti and New Zealand.
Traditional Hoʻoponopono is practiced by indigenous Hawaiian healers and often within the extended family by a family member.
In Hawaiian tradition, the Ho’oponopono Mantra is used as a means to extend gratitude and forgiveness to self and others. Even though it has a certain meaning to us when we say it, there is much more to the statement.
This ancient Hawaiian practice of forgiveness functions as both a communication concept for reconciliation and a tool for restoring self-love and balance. In practice, it works sort of like a mantra for self-love. Its simplicity is just as startling as it’s effectiveness.
It is believed that the resonance of these four words creates harmony and balance. It allows the conflict you are currently facing to be released and the energy to change when there are surrounding issues.
The word ho’oponopono roughly translates to “cause things to move back in balance” or to “make things right.”. In indigenous Hawaiian language, “pono” means balance, in the sense of “life.”
“If we can accept that we are the sum total of all past thoughts, emotions, words, deeds and actions and that our present lives and choices are colored or shaded by this memory bank of the past, then we begin to see how a process of correcting or setting aright can change our lives, our families and our society.”
Morrnah Nalamaku Simeona, a Hawaiian Kahuna Lapa’au
Chanting this prayer over and over is a powerful way to cleanse the body of guilt, shame, haunting memories, ill will, or negative feelings that keep the mind fixated on negative thoughts. As a forgiveness practice, it is also deeply resonant, as it tends to penetrate our inner monologue over time.
“I’M SORRY, PLEASE FORGIVE ME, THANK YOU, I LOVE YOU”
To process and cleanse yourself of challenging feelings, chant the following mantra repeatedly while sitting with your eyes closed, as a meditation.
The prayer supports the healing process of Repentance - I’m sorry, Forgiveness - Please forgive me, Gratitude - Thank you and Love - I love you
The ho’oponopono prayer goes like this:
“I’m sorry, please forgive me, thank you, I love you.”
With regular practice, reciting these four simple phrases helps develop self-love and self-esteem at the times when we need it most. In this way, it’s both a self-healing and comforting practice and a way to approach forgiveness of others.
Part of the reason why this traditional Hawaiian forgiveness prayer is so powerful is that it first requires you to acknowledge that wrong was done by saying you’re ‘sorry’.
Having others acknowledge our feelings is a universal need. In ho’oponopono, you must first acknowledge that wrongdoing exists, which is a way of acknowledging these feelings. Only then will you be able to find it in your heart to forgive someone else, or yourself. In the final step, you acknowledge love– both for self and others.
Most people, when attempting to forgive either others or themselves, make the mistake of thinking that forgiveness means offering total absolution. This is ultimately futile because it ignores the hurt feelings, which inevitably bubble back up to the surface later if they are not addressed.
UNDERSTANDING TRUE FORGIVENESS
True forgiveness doesn’t mean forgetting. By acknowledging the wrongdoing, ho’oponopono allows all parties to sit with and hold space for these feelings. First, we acknowledge that the problem exists. Then, when ready, we make the conscious choice to move on. True forgiveness, requires both attention and intention. When done correctly, it is one of the most liberating sensations there is– like an invisible weight has been lifted.
Historically, the ho’oponopono prayer was a kind of shared reconciliation mantra for divided families, or Ohana. Today, it remains a highly effective mediation practice for forgiveness, both in helping people navigate hurt feelings and feelings of resentment towards others.
Ho’ oponopono is a simple yet profoundly effective self-healing tool. For people who carry a lot of guilt, in particular it’s also an easy way to self-comfort when you’re feeling down.
HO’OPONOPONO FOR SELF FORGIVENESS
To practice ho’oponopono meditation, take a few slow, deep breaths with your eyes closed. Then, slowly repeat this mantra to yourself about 7 or 8 times. (“I’m sorry, please forgive me, thank you, I love you… I’m sorry, please forgive me, thank you, I love you “— and so on.) End with a few moments of silence to let the message resonate. Open your eyes. How do you feel?
There are also passive ways to experience the prayer. Some people play the h’oponooporo mantra while working or trying to fall asleep. Head to YOUTUBE to find a recoding that resonates with you.