Ho’oponopono

Ho’oponopono is something I regularly share with people as a helpful tool. Based on that, it’s amazing that I sometimes forget to use it – especially because I know from experience how powerful it is.

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What is Ho’oponopono?

Ho’oponopono has evolved over the years. Originally used in Ancient Hawaii as a practice for reconciliation among family members, Ho’oponopono was adapted for modern times by Morrnah Nalamaku Simeona. Further, she extended it to be a general problem solving tool with a focus on self-help. The benefits of Ho’oponono are worth the exploration. The mantra that many of us know today was later created by one of Simeona’s students, Ihaleakala Hew Len:

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

Zero Limits

You may see variations of the sequence or the words. The above is the sequence and word choice that I prefer. I first discovered Ho’oponopono online. Initially I delved deeper into it via Joe Vitale’s book *Zero Limits which he co-authored with Hew Len. Subsequently I researched Ho’oponopono further by listening to Joe Vitale’s audio program entitled *The Awakening Course.

Ho’oponopono Usage

In my experience, you can use Ho’oponopono for any and all situations. In fact according to Simeona, the uses are unlimited! I recently used it while I was stuck in traffic and running late for an important appointment. 😀 Feel free to check out the full list of questions and answers on the linked page.

Ho’oponopono Mantra Basis

At first glance, I found myself questioning, “Why am I sorry?” “Why am I asking for forgiveness?” Especially for scenarios where I was on the receiving end of an unpleasant situation. The lines of the mantra are based on Hew Len’s idea of “100% Responsibility”. According to his teachings:

If one would take complete responsibility for one’s life, then everything one sees, hears, tastes, touches, or in any way experiences would be one’s responsibility because it is in one’s life. The problem would not be with our external reality, it would be with ourselves. Total Responsibility, according to Hew Len, advocates that everything exists as a projection from inside the human being

Wikipedia – Ho’oponopono>State of Zero: About Ihaleakala Hew Len, PhD

Ways to Try Ho’oponopono

Just as there are unlimited things you can use Ho’oponopono for, I would say that there are unlimited ways to try the mantra. I would further say there is no wrong way to try it. Here are just a few of my ideas:

>Say the mantra repetitively while thinking of the problem/issue/situation that troubles/worries/concerns you
>Make a list of the situations, problems, and/or people that troubles/worries/concerns you, and say the mantra for each entry on your list
>Make a list of the situations, problems, people, and/or places that troubles/worries/concerns you, put your hand on top of your list, and repetitively say the mantra for your entire list
>Repeat the mantra to yourself, or out loud as part of a personal prayer or meditation
>Combine the mantra with Deep Abdominal Breathing
>Check out this free guided Ho’oponopono Meditation for Deep Healing (~15 min)
>Alternatively, this free Ho’oponopono Cleansing Heart & Mind Meditation YouTube short may be helpful
>Place these *Ho’oponopono mantra stickers on your notebooks, journals or devices as reminders
>Color these *Ho’oponopono Coloring Pages while repeating the mantra to yourself

Further Exploration

While the mantra itself is very effective, I eventually elected to take further training through IZI LLC’s Self I-Dentity through Ho’oponopono® (SITH®) which goes beyond the mantra. One observation I have is that Ho’oponopono seems to have become greatly commercialized. In fact, it was very difficult to find supporting links without finding someone selling their version of training and certification. As always, use your best judgement. Much educational information is available for free online and in libraries. I typically evaluate whatever I can first for free and decide what I want to buy.

Does Ho’oponopono Work?

In my experience, Ho’oponopono does work and I have used the mantra for years. I know the simplicity of the mantra fosters doubt, questions and outright disbelief. I for one strongly believe that we should question everything! Things that work can stand up to any number of questions. Ultimately the best way to see if it works is to just try it. Let us know of any Ho’oponopono experiences/stories you’d like to share in the comments.