Ho`oponopono, dating back to the early Hawaiians, has traditionally been used in Hawaii for creating harmony in relationships, in the extended family, which in Hawaii extends quite far, not only to blood and marital relations.
The early Hawaiians used ho`oponopono for harmonizing with their spirit ancestors and their relationships, such as family.
In Hawaiian philosophy, when you are right with yourself, spirit and others you are in pono. The ancient Hawaiian value of pono is based on the belief that all things are connected. This lokahi (oneness) with one's self, others and Spirit continues to be an important Hawaiian value.
Hawaiian healing and therapy traditionally involved Ho`oponopono. For example, if one person was feeling out of sorts, or even physically ill, the family might gather, talk about what was causing disharmony and use pule (prayer) forgiveness and aloha to restore harmony. Do so restored well-being and often-physical health.
Today, we all hear about how forgiveness, letting go of resentment makes us feel better. Modern health practioners around the world tell us that by forgiving we are allowing ourselves to heal and making it easier for our bodies to fend of disease. The early Hawaiians didn't need
modern day psychology to tell them that disease is caused by
dis-ease, that is uneasiness and disharmony.
However, because the early Hawaiians prayed to their Hawaiian gods, and prayer was an important part of Ho`oponopono, the Christianizing of Hawaii, sent the Hawaiian kahuna (priests) underground. Fortunately the wonderful teachings of Ho`oponopono and other healing arts were well hidden and protected by the kahuna, although so well that they were nearly lost to the Hawaiian people.
Today, thanks to Hawaii's cultural renaissance, Ho`oponopono, like the mystical teachings of Huna, has come out of the closet and is practiced in many homes, including Christian homes. It's used to solve sibling squabbles, save marriages and end in-law battles. In Hawaii courts, Ho`oponopono has been offered with mediation such as in a recent dispute over sacred Hawaiian artifacts reported in the Honolulu Star Bulletin.
When I was first introduced to this practice, one of the counselors of Hawaiian descent brought in a practitioner to help a client, also a kanaka ma`oli (one of largely Hawaiian ancestory) with her family situation. It was a very healing experience. Then on Maui, in a residential treatment facility for teens with anger issues, I had the opportunity to observe Ho`oponopono being successfully practiced by the group home's members. Impromptu group meetings were called when various grievances arose as they often do with a large group of adolescent living in close quarters. Things were talked out, wrongs were admitted, and forgiveness was offered. It was also introduced to visiting parents.
The belief today remains that when one person in the family or group is in need of healing, practicing Ho`oponopono brings about harmony within the family and in the individual.
The original intention of Ho'oponopono may have been to correct one's wrongs Hala (to miss the thing aimed for, or to err, to disobey) and Hewa (to go overboard or to do something to excess), and even 'Ino (to do harm, implying to do harm to someone with hate in mind).
This "making right with the ancestors" is often extended or interpreted to mean making right with your Higher Self, your soul and/or with your God.
Resources and References
Aunty Mahealani Henry a respected practitioner of Ho`oponopono on the Big Island applies this therapy to helping cleanse people of grief, anger and fear and bringing them into balance, not only with others but with themselves. She works with energy and the belief in humanity's Oneness.
In Hawaiian Airlines' in-flight magazine, Hana Hou, the article Spirit Well features Aunty Mahealani who says that success of the treatment depends not only on the skill of the practitioner and the openness of the patient but also on the guidance of spirit.
"Only as high as I reach, can I grow Only as far as I seek, can I go Only as deep as I look, can I see Only as much as I dream, can I be."
~ Aunty Mahealani Henry, Ho'oponopono practitioner, teacher, story teller, messenger.
