Essence of Ho'oponopono

Canst thou not minister to a mind diseased;
Pluck from the memory a rooted sorrow;
Raze out the written troubles of the brain,
and with sweet oblivious antidote
Cleanse the stuff'd bossom of that perilous staff which weighs
upon the heart?

– William Shakespeare, Macbeth

1. Origin of the word "Ho'oponopono"

You are a special piece of work, noble in reason, infinite in faculties, express and admirable in form and moving, like an angel in action, like a god in apprehension.

– Og Mandino

The etymology of this tool's name is quite revealing by itself. When the word "Ho'oponopono" is broken down, the first part Ho'o means "to perform", "to make", "to carry out" or "to make it happen." On the other side, pono has several meanings such as "good", "virtuous", "correct", "moral", "proper", "right", "adequate", "orderly", "aligned" or "true in essence."

The word pono is used twice (ponopono) in the name of this technique in order to emphasize its meaning. Lee states: "If it is good, if it is in balance, if it is right, if it helps, if it is righteous, if it corrects, if it is responsible, if it is caring, if it is humble, if it is peaceful, if it honors, it is pono."

In short, the overall meaning of Ho'oponopono is "to correct", "to make things in the right fashion", "to mend mistakes", "to repair" or "to rectify things". It is a very effective tool to fix all things that you dislike in your life. You use this technique to correct any errors by deleting the memories held on your subconscious level.

These subconscious programs are being replayed constantly, without you even noticing them, and hinder your connection with the Divine. As said in the second Prologue, these subconscious memories are the only cause of all the negative circumstances in your life. These programs do not allow you to receive any inspirational guidance from the Divine.

Ho'oponopono is actually a technique to resolve all your problems. Every time you experience a problem, there are subconscious memories playing out in your mind which are creating this very difficulty.

This tool was originally applied by the indigenous Hawaiian shamans called kahunas to solve conflicts among members of the local communities. In that sense, DeNoyelles states that: "Ho'oponopono is an ancient ... healing art of reconciliation and forgiveness that's been used for centuries to support, correct, restore, and maintain harmonious relationships between people, Nature and Spirit." You will find more details about the traditional way of doing Ho'oponopono in Appendix C. During the last few years this powerful tool has become well-known worldwide; its benefits are enjoyed in different latitudes far beyond the tiny archipelago in the Pacific Ocean where it saw its origins.

2. Characteristics of this technique

Ho'oponopono is a distinctive transformative tool. Some of the main characteristics of this technique are:

a) Simplicity and effortlessness

For some people, the straightforwardness of this potent technique is quite shocking. Despite its simple way of use, this tool is very effective. In order to do Ho'oponopono you only have to say four sentences ("I am sorry", "Please forgive me", "I love you" and "Thank you") as frequently as possible. The effectiveness of this technique lays on its consistent and determined use over time.

This tool is totally within your grasp and it can be applied everywhere and on any occasion, which makes this tool very flexible. You don't have to perform any complicated rituals to see tangible results. Some say you do not have to believe in the effectiveness of this technique to enjoy its positive effects.

This technique is based on the principle of effortlessness. In order to transmute your life circumstances, you don't need to struggle or work hard. With this technique all your negative life circumstances will be transmuted naturally.

When you use this tool, you must fully accept your adverse life situations to clean your subconscious memories originating them. You should take full responsibility and realize your subconscious programs are the only cause of all your life circumstances.

This tool should be used regularly because you have umpteen subconscious memories which need to be deleted. When you do Ho'oponopono you delete past memories incorporated in your subconscious mind a long time ago and also recently. In your daily life, you are constantly incorporating, most of the time unwittingly, new subconscious memories. This makes Ho'oponopono a non-stop process, a continual process.

b) Based on love, forgiveness and gratitude

One of the four Ho'oponopono sentences is "I am sorry." This means that you are repentant for your mistakes; you recognize them and want to do things better. You also realize that these mistakes made you temporarily disconnected from the Divine.

From the Ho'oponopono perspective repentance is acknowledgement and confession of your wrongdoings in a guiltless and humble manner. When you are truly repentant you can take responsibility for your life. This attitude allows you to remove your subconscious memories, which create all circumstances in your life.

The second phrase is "Please forgive me." When you repeat these words, you are looking for reconciliation with your own being. With this sentence you seek forgiveness for having held subconscious memories. You are not in denial any longer because you admit that your subconscious programs manifested all your life circumstances.

By asking for forgiveness you also release any grievance, tension, grudge or resentment tying you to the past. You also open your heart in a compassionate manner to heal all emotional wounds with unconditional love. When you frequently use the phrase "Please forgive me" you want to remove your past programming, which is the source of all pain in your life. You also...