The Healing Powers of Ho’oponopono
by Richa Jindal
When opening Instagram, I often see reels or posts about someone being in their “healing era.” Regardless of whether it is a trend or a phase, healing is real and everyone needs to go through it (multiple times).
The thing about healing, however, is that it’s confusing and quite vague. It could be screaming at the top of your lungs in an empty valley, going on a ten-day-long retreat, or just simply crying. However, humans have always sought healing and there are simple techniques that everyone can practice and benefit from. One of my personal favorites is Ho’oponopono.
The Story of Ho’oponopono
Ho’oponopono is a traditional Hawaiian healing technique based on forgiveness, reconciliation, and the truth that everything you experience is created by your consciousness and thus can be controlled by it too. Its magic was tested when Dr. Haleakalā Hew Len, healed mentally ill criminals in the 1980s. The staff of the ward would often quit, or fall sick shortly after joining due to the terrible state of the criminals. Interestingly, Dr. Len healed this bunch without meeting them. It is said that he read through their criminal files and worked on himself by practicing Ho’oponopono on the emotions that would rise in him while he read the files. Over time, the situation at the ward started changing and becoming more peaceful. After 4 years, the ward was closed. Dr. Len healed extremely mentally ill criminals without ever meeting them. That’s the magic of Ho’oponopono. And the best part? It’s a simple four-step prayer that anyone can do anywhere.
The Practice
“I am sorry. Please Forgive Me. Thank You. I Love You”
The four steps of Ho'oponopono outline the journey of accepting your part in any situation, moving on to ask for forgiveness, expressing gratitude, and making a change.
Step 1: “I Am Sorry”
Step one is all about taking responsibility. When you accept that you’re responsible for a specific situation, it is easy to apologize. It is the first step in acknowledging your circumstances and changing them. It is also the most difficult because you’re accepting that you are the creator of your life.
Step 2: “Please Forgive Me”
Step two is about asking for forgiveness from the universe and yourself. It is hard to truly forgive and accept yourself, but that’s where the love starts to build from.
Step 3: “Thank You”
Step three is about gratitude. You have become aware of what you want and what change you require. It requires you to feel grateful for your situation and brings you into alignment to create that change. Being grateful for problems helps us grow and look at them as opportunities.
Step 4: “I Love You”
The last step is to say I love you and completely accept whatever has been created by you. In this step, you are promising not to create anything that is not in alignment with you and what you love. Love heals.
The key to Ho’oponopono (or any type of healing) is intention and sincerity. You can repeat the prayer with a single thought in your mind as long as the intention is clear and sincere. You have to believe that you can undo this experience, take responsibility, and look yourself in the eye—it is always you versus you.
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