HAWAII
Knowing I needed to understand the true meaning and power of forgiveness, I traveled to Hawaii, where I studied with a Kahuna who introduced me to a sacred forgiveness process called Ho'oponopono.
At its core, Ho'oponopono—meaning "to make right"—is rooted in the understanding that "there's only one of us here." It challenges the false belief in separation—whether between ourselves and others, the physical and the spiritual, or the fragmented parts of what we perceive as reality.
The purpose of Ho'oponopono is to cleanse our minds of the belief in separation, which is seen as the root cause of discord, illness, and suffering.
Forgiveness as a Path to Liberation
In the ancient Hawaiian tradition, forgiveness is not about "letting others off the hook for a wrong they may have done towards you," it's about cleansing our minds of false perceptions, judgments, and inner stories that have caused us and another pain.
Forgiveness, in the Ho'oponopono sense, is not just a personal act. It's a collective one. When one person suffers in a family or community, everyone is affected. So, as we cleanse our own consciousness, we contribute to the healing of others—and the world.
The Four Sacred Phrases
The Ho'oponopono practice centers on four deceptively simple but profoundly powerful phrases:
- I love you
- I'm sorry
- Please forgive me
- Thank you
Always keep in mind that it is your mind that you are cleansing. In essence, these phrases facilitate inner cleansing, emotional release, and deep healing. They help us dissolve negative patterns, open the heart, and reconnect with our truest, purest self.
"I love you."
This phrase expresses love for the Divine who dwells within each of us, along with self-love and acceptance whenever we've "missed the mark," and compassion for others. It's a reminder to love others as we love ourselves.
"I'm sorry."
This acknowledges personal responsibility—not necessarily guilt, but the recognition that our own thoughts or actions may have contributed to our pain and the pain of others. It's an invitation to humble oneself.
"Please forgive me."
This is not about excusing a wrongdoing—it's a shift in consciousness, for ourselves and others. It helps clear guilt and opens the path to inner freedom. As I came to understand that guilt demands punishment, but true forgiveness brings forth a release, I was changed forever. For me, this is what it means to be born again.
"Thank you."
This final phrase expresses gratitude—for the lesson, the cleansing, the healing, and the opportunity to grow. It transforms even painful experiences into moments of grace.
The Cleansing Power of Daily Practice
These four phrases are said to carry the same vibrational frequency as the chants of monks during deep meditation. And while the practice is simple, its impact is profound.
Always remember that the four powerful phrases were never designed to get something or to change someone else. The sole purpose of Ho'oponopono is to cleanse your mind of limiting beliefs, false perceptions, and especially the belief that you are separate from anything or anyone.
It's like taking a consciousness shower. Just as we must bathe daily to stay physically clean, we must also practice the Ho'oponopono forgiveness daily to remain spiritually and emotionally clean.