Ho’oponopono is an ancient Hawaiian practice of forgiveness and reconciliation. Itis like a mantra where you repeat the words ‘I’m sorry, please forgive me, thank you, I love you’ as a form of mental and spiritual cleansing. By doing this practice, the ancient Hawaiian people believed it would clear the mind and it is wrong thinking and doing which is the root of all evil. Similar to many other cultures around the world.
We all sometimes say and do things which are not aligned with the truth and, instead of examining our thoughts, words and deeds, we become defensive as if the only goal is that, at the end of this battle, we are right. We often say and do things we know are hurtful and we later regret, but often, due to shame or guilt, instead of owning our mistakes and saying we're sorry, we go on with our lives pretending it never happened. But, it did and these things lie heavy on our Soul, and slowly but surely, dims our light. Why is it so hard to say I'm sorry, forgive me? Why is it so hard to say I love you? I guess the answer is manifold and different for each of us, but for many, it lies in the way we have been brought up, as well as in the deep unconscious, shadow self which makes us see ourselves, our actions and the world through a distorted glass.
Each of us carries a light and a shadow. The shadow self is unconscious, defensive, angry, jealous, selfish, it hates and manipulates, it’s weak and insecure. So, when we think, say and do from this space, we hurt ourselves, other people around us, our family, friends, communities, other living beings, mama Earth. Is the shadow partially already there from the moment we are born, a residue from a past life or karma, or are we born as beings of light only to be labelled, conditioned, moulded, imprinted with fear, doubt, shame and false believes since the day we are born, we don’t really know. It’s a philosophical question to which, I believe, the answer isn’t that important for our growth.
There aren’t many awakened or enlightened beings on this planet, so we’re all in the same boat. We all say and do things from the shadow part, but becoming aware of it is the first and the most important step. Our shadow lives in the unconscious and from that, hidden,unaware space it can wreak havoc on our health, lives, relationships and everything around us.
What is important is that we are willing to grow and bring darkness to light. What's important is we question our words and actions and, when we find wrongdoing, we can say:
I'm sorry.
Please forgive me.
Thank you.
I love you.
Say it to yourself. To your loved ones. To friends and colleagues. To any living Soul you might have hurt, or caused harm. It will shed light on the dark. Let go of the shame and guilt attached to it, we are all in this together. It will lift the burden from your Soul. It will lift the burden from another's. It will help us grow together.
I'm sorry.
Please forgive me.
Thank you.
I love you.
