Ho'oponopono
- Ancient Method Changing Lives
As a practitioner, I am always looking
for new ways to help people, help themselves. Learning and studying
ancient methods of healing is especially interesting to me. From
Oriental Medicine to Polynesian Medicine there are so many
interesting and effective methods which is only now making it's way
to the western world. Most of the techniques/methods used is directed
towards others but when Ho'oponopono was introduced to me little did
I know I had much work to do on myself before this technique would be
effective.
I was in England studying and working
upon my area of specialty when this woman first mentioned the
Ho'oponopono method. I was joined by 24 other students within our
program and one day we were instructed to speak on a topic we knew
well. We had a 20 minute time slot and we were to fill in that time
with important points and findings. It would be that day a woman
introduced to us this incredible, yet simple, method I had to learn
more about when I returned home. After that time, and upon
researching this ancient method, I began to implement this ancient
healing method with others. Result? I have to say it is without a
doubt truly effective/affective.
It's a transformational technique that
anyone can use. There are no needles, no touching, no music, no
instruments of any kind and it can be done anytime and anywhere. Let
me give you a bit more background before jumping into the this
powerful self-transformational technique.
As was introduced, Ho'oponopono
originated from Hawaii and was originally used by families to help
correct their errors in thought, word and deed. To help 'make things
right' amongst family members. Eventually this ancient and sacred
opportunity for cleansing and clarification was introduced to other
groups of people so that they too could benefit from this powerful
method. It was Morrnah Nalamaku Simeona, a healer, who first began to
widely instruct other doctors, colleges/universities and even to the
United Nations personnel of this method in 1983. She founded "The
Foundation of I" in order to promote and make widely available
these principles of Ho'oponopono around the world, a method Hawaiian
Natives understand all too well. Then came Dr. Hew Len (trained
physician) who was an avid student of Morrnah Simeona and who not
only incorporated the Ho'oponopono technique but received wide
recognition on the effectiveness of such a method.
Dr. Hew Len eventually worked as a
staff psychologist for Hawaii State Hospital (between 1984-1987)
overseeing a maximum security unit housing male criminally insane
patients. These men were not small time thieves, they were killers
and rapists. Men would never be allowed release under no condition.
Violence was common in the facility as aggressive and violent
behavior toward other inmates and staff was a daily occurrence. Once
Dr. Hew Len began using the method, within 3 years of his dedicated
service at the Hospital, the inmates no longer needed restraint
(wrist and ankles), staff took less 'sick days', staff turn-over
rates began to drop and staff eventually began to enjoy working
there. So, violence dropped considerably which was seemingly an
impossibility: Almost non-existent amongst the inmates with the
exception of new inmates just arriving. With great success,
eventually other 'out reach' programs were introduced to these now
non-violent men outside the ward which would have been impossible
before this time. The whole unit eventually closed and these men
where re-assigned to other minimum security programs where they
continued to flourish.
As was witnessed by other staff
members, Dr. Hew Len did not see any of the inmates (one-to-one
sessions), no direct therapy or counseling with any of the men, he
did not attend staff meetings, nothing to show he made direct contact
with anyone in the ward during his time there. He wanted only an
office and their charts/files. That's it. How did he do it? What's
the Ho'oponopono Method all about?
Ho'oponopono method consists of a
strong philosophical base and mediation. Without learning more about
the philosophy, the intent/desire behind the treatment can be lost.
Ho'oponopono starts with you. Here's a little insight into the
philosophy, a way of seeing life, necessary if one is to understand
this method...
In part, it is about clearing toxic
energies within you, energies that block you from advancing, healing,
living. All the negative emotions, hurts, experiences are lodged in
you on all levels. We are not separate from one another and what
affects you, affects me. So if others have blocks and energies that
need release in order to flourish in life, so do you: The main
concern is to unblock mental obstacles to allow a new flow of energy
through words, deeds, actions within oneself so that others too will
benefit from you healing YOU. So the idea, philosophy, begins with a
need not to start with the idea of saving others but to practice
working on oneself. We heal ourselves, the world around us heals. So
we are responsible for people who enter our world with problems and a
less than satisfactory life. By shifting our energies, other energies
will also be effected. There is much more to the philosophy behind
Ho'oponopono.
The process of clearing and
forgiving is about incorporating 4 statements which initiates the
flow of healing, processing and clarification. This is what Dr. Hew
Len used within his office as he focused healing upon himself, and
indirectly, helped these men in the ward.
The magic 4 are as follows:
1. I'm sorry
2. Please forgive me
3. I love you
4. I thank you
It is to be repeated with full intent
and feeling.
