Ho'oponopono: The Practice of Forgiveness

Ho'oponopono (ho.po.po.no.po.no) is the Hawaiian practice of reconciliation and forgiveness. The closest translation in English is "to correct". Traditionally led by a tribal elder or family member, Ho'oponopono allows for clearing so that one may be free.

In transpersonal hypnosis and quantum healing, it is understood that the answers are within you and you create your reality. Many Indigenous cultures also believe that responsibility begins with you. Ho'oponopono is a way to shift your reality by having a conversation at a higher level to free yourself from replaying painful memories that perpetuate the experience.

Ho'oponopono isn't about analyzing, it's simply about letting go to be free. It's a higher level conversation stemming from within, that shifts things to bring mental freedom and clear lifetimes of pain.

The power of Ho'oponopono was brought to public attention many years ago after Dr. Len, a Hawaiian therapist who worked with the criminally insane, used this practice to free prison inmates from maximum security where fear permeated and staff were afraid to come to work each day. He believed that it was "he," not the inmates that needed to shift. He simply cleared the part of him that created them.

How did he do this? He didn't meet with them in person. Instead, he engaged another way. He sat with each of their files repeating the mantra "I love you. I'm sorry. Thank you for giving me one more chance to be free of this." Over a brief time the inmates began to shift to the point that they were able to be relocated and there was less turnover of staff.

Here's how it works. Sit quietly and imagine calling forward the one who hurt you or the one you hurt. Repeat all or parts of this mantra that resonate: "I love you. I'm sorry. Please forgive me. Thank you."

It's not about condoning another's actions, but rather releasing yourself from replaying the negative emotions that kept you trapped.  And when doing this, remember to call forward your younger self and follow the same steps. You can also do this same exercise for the planet.  When you clear, the energy around you clears too.

When the groundwork is done, doing this exercise once or twice is enough.  Other times it serves to illuminate where to more work is needed to resolve the issue in a hypnosis session.  Schedule a session here. 

Disclaimer:  Do not do this exercise while driving or otherwise engaged.