March 2014

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.