It is the intention that governs the attention.
In Huna philosophy, that intention is governed by The Seven principles:
- The world is what you think it is.
- There are no limits.
- Energy flows where attention goes.
- Now is the moment of power.
- To love is to be happy with – love is the only ethic needed in Huna.
- All power comes from within.
- Effectiveness is the measure of truth.
Ho’oponopono is the Hawaiian way of forgiveness – meaning – to “set right”. It has recently become better known and popularised by Dr. Ihaleakala Hew Len following the release of the book and the subsequent courses called Zero Limits by Dr. Joe Vitale.
The very basics of Ho’oponopono are the uses of the four phrases “I’m sorry”, “Please forgive me”, “Thank you”, and “I love you”.
There are a number of other materials on the subject available, but an easy read is an article entitled Amazingly Content by William Wittmann that was published in 2008.
It is interesting to note that these four statements complement ‘The Four Agreements’ by Don Miguel Ruiz, which, simply stated, are:
- Be impeccable with your word.
- Don’t take anything personally.
- Don’t make assumptions.
- Always do your best.
The central teaching of the Buddha, around which all his other teachings revolve is the Four Noble Truths, formulated as medical analysis. These are:
- The Diagnosis. Life inevitably involves some mental and physical pain.
- The Cause. The root of mental pain is craving and misunderstanding of the true nature of reality.
- The Recovery. The letting goes of the illusions.
- The Treatment. Enlightenment by facing up to life’s imperfections.
Practitioners of Ho’oponopono will often use the following prayer by Morrnah Nalamaku Simeona. “Divine creator, father, mother, son as one… If I, my family, relatives, and ancestors have offended you, your family, relatives, and ancestors in thoughts, words, deeds, and actions from the beginning of our creation to the present, we ask your forgiveness… Let this cleanse, purify, release, cut all the negative memories, blocks, energies, and vibrations, and transmute these unwanted energies to pure light… And it is done.”
The consistent use of the four Ho’oponopono statements and this prayer are designed to assist in attaining a return to a clean slate, prior to the introduction of any beliefs or physical limitations – a state of neutrality – a state of grace and love – divinity. Consistent cleaning and clearing return the Self to a neutral state or zero points.
Grant Connolly is the founder of ZPoint Process, which is also used to clean and clear and assist in attaining a state of zero points.
He suggests that one identify any feeling that may be blocking your growth or causing stagnation and then stating “I clear all the ways I feel this … feeling” then repeating a cue word, i.e. “Yes” for ten seconds.
Additional statements he recommends include the following – which I would suggest you do with the cupped-hands around the ears pose
- “I forgive everyone I blamed for this problem, including God and myself.”
- “I ask forgiveness of everyone I hurt because of this problem.”
For forgiveness of self and others – I would also recommend identifying the issue (fill in the blanks) then tapping just the side of the hand (the karate chop point) and stating, “I forgive myself, I know I’m doing the best I can. I permanently forgive myself for this … problem and for anything I might have done to contribute to this … problem.”
It is worth looking at the work of Colin Tipping and his “Radical Forgiveness” concept, which allows for major re-framing, healing, and even gratefulness in place of resentment and bitterness.
Today we think in terms of mediation models designed for healing and process, without minimizing or historical revision by means of Restorative Justice, Healing ceremonies such as Ho’oponopono, and Truth and Reconciliation – such as via Bishop Desmond Tutu regarding the Rwandan genocide. Sadly, the world has too often shown us that a powerful man can lead with no wisdom – but, fortunately, it has also demonstrated that a wise man can lead with no power.
Bear in mind that the mind does not care what you plant in it – so we can choose to plant the seeds of our life lessons and the wisdom of the sages by consciously choosing to let go of the toxicity of bitterness and resentment – of hurt and anger, both legitimate and misperceived.
You might wish to use the following loving-kindness meditation.
“If anyone has hurt me or harmed me knowingly or unknowingly in thought, word or deed, I forgive them. May all beings be happy, may all beings be peaceful, may all beings be free.”
“To forgive is to set the prisoner free, and then discover the prisoner was you.” (Author unknown)
“You are richer today if you have laughed, given, or forgiven.” (Anon)
“He who cannot forgive others destroys the bridge over which he himself must pass.” (George Herbert)
“To forgive allows us to release the past and start anew. Without forgiveness it’s always the Hatfields and McCoys.” (Jack Kornfield)
“Hatred paralyzes life; love releases it. Hatred confuses life; love harmonizes it. Hatred darkens life; love illumines it.” (Martin Luther King, Jr.)
“Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one getting burned.” (Buddha)
“When you hold resentment toward another, you are bound to that person or condition by an emotional link that is stronger than steel. Forgiveness is the only way to dissolve that link and get free.” (Catherine Ponder)
“Forgiveness is an essential part of cleansing negative emotions and removing unproductive attitudes. This includes forgiving others as well as ourselves. Past mistakes should be left in the past. As the forgiver, empower yourself to let go.” (Steps to Achieving a Positive Attitude – Adam)
“Forgiveness is the fragrance left by the violet on the heel that crushed it.” (Mark Twain)
“Hatred never ceases by hatred, but by love alone is healed. This is the ancient and eternal law.” (Jack Kornfield)
“Those who pursue revenge should dig two graves.” (Chinese proverb)
“The weak can never forgive – Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong.” (Mahatma Gandhi)
“The more anger towards the past you carry in your heart, the less capable you are of loving in the present.” (Barbara de Angelis)
“There is inevitable suffering because of a natural tension between the individual’s potentiality and his actuality.” (J-P Sartre)
“The greatest antioxidant for humanity is forgiveness”. (Stanley Banks)
“The act of forgiveness is one of humanity’s most deep-seated acts of people nourishing one another as human beings.” (Archbishop of Canterbury – Rowan Williams)
“When a deep injury is done to us, we never recover until we forgive.” (Alan Paton)
“If you die and they do an autopsy, and they tried to find the anger and the resentment you've been holding on to, where would they find it? Nowhere. Why? Because it's just energy, it is your thoughts in your mind creating this anger and feelings of resentment. You are creating it yourself.” (Author unknown)
“If you are having trouble letting go of the anger or the resentment toward another person, it is because holding on to it is serving you in some way.” (Author unknown)
“Letting go of the past is giving up the hope that the past could have been different.” (Author unknown)
“Until you heal the pain from the past, you will continue to bleed.” (Author unknown)
“Right below the anger is the hurt, and right below the hurt is the love.” (Author unknown)
“Although forgiveness often looks like a generous gift we are giving to someone else, it is ultimately an act of self-love and a gift we give to ourselves.” (Debbie Ford)
“Forgiveness grows out of the wisdom of the heart and forgiveness is the heart of wisdom.” (Michael J. Tamura)
“There are no justified resentments! No one ever dies from a snake bite – only from the venom.” (Dr. Wayne Dyer)
“Don’t die with your music still inside you – have no regrets.” (Dr. Wayne Dyer)
“Wisdom is avoiding all thoughts that weaken you. – shift all thinking to thoughts that are empowering, neutral, divine, loving.” (Dr. Wayne Dyer)
“Forgiveness does not change the past, but it does enlarge the future.” (Paul Boese)
“To forgive is the highest, most beautiful form of love. In return, you will receive untold peace and happiness.” (Robert Muller)
“Resentment refuses relationships, slashing at everything and everyone that comes close.” (Ernest Kurtz)
Bear in mind that isolation, trauma, and sadness open us to the need for unity and community and that the opposite of resentment is forgiveness – ergo below.
From the Buddhist philosophy, mudita is often narrowly translated as “sympathetic” or “altruistic” joy. It is the pleasure that comes when we delight in other people’s well-being rather than begrudge it.
