Ho'oponopono is an ancient Hawaiian spiritual practice that involves learning to heal all things by accepting "Total Responsibility" for everything that surrounds us – confession, repentance, and reconciliation.
You may have heard the story about a Hawaiian therapist, Dr. Ihaleakala Hew Len, who cured an entire ward of criminally insane patients, without ever meeting any of them or spending a moment in the same room. When he arrived at the residential treatment center, the cure rates were abysmal, morale very low, employee turnover very high. Dr. Len locked himself in his office day after day as to the consternation of the staff… But after some weeks, things began to change, patients were getting better, morale was improving. How had he done this? He reviewed each of the patients’ files, and then he healed them by healing himself with this mantra. It seems miracles do happen when you use this method, which Dr. Len calls Self I-Dentity Through Ho’oponopono.
There are four simple steps to this method, and the order is not that important. They involve the power of Repentance, Forgiveness, Gratitude and Love.
Step 1: Repentance – I’M SORRY
This tradition holds that you are responsible for everything in your mind, even if it seems to be “out there.” Once you realize that, it’s very natural to feel sorry. …This realization can be painful, and you will likely resist accepting responsibility for the “out there” kind of problems until you start to practice this method on your more obvious “in here” problems and see results.
So you could choose something that you already know you’ve caused for yourself: Over-weight? Addicted to nicotine, alcohol or some other substance? Do you have anger issues? Health problems? Start there and say you’re sorry. That’s the whole step: I’M SORRY. Underneath you are saying, “I realize that I am responsible for the (issue) in my life and I feel terrible remorse that something in my consciousness has caused this.”
Step 2: Ask Forgiveness – PLEASE FORGIVE ME
PLEASE FORGIVE ME. Say it over and over. Mean it. Remember your remorse from step 1 as you ask to be forgiven.
Step 3: Gratitude – THANK YOU
Say “THANK YOU” – Thank your body for all it does for you. Thank yourself for being the best you can be. Thank God. Thank the Universe. Thank whatever it was that just forgave you. Just keep saying THANK YOU.
Step 4: Love – I LOVE YOU
Say I LOVE YOU. Say it to your body, say it to God. Say I LOVE YOU to the air you breathe, to the house that shelters you. Say I LOVE YOU to your challenges. Say it over and over. Mean it. Feel it. There is nothing as powerful as Love.
I’m sorry, Please forgive me, Thank you, I love you.