Day 239 of 365 - Forgiveness Prayer
Perhaps you have heard of the forgiveness prayer called Ho'oponopono. It is often repeated like a mantra using the following phrases. I love you. I'm sorry. Please forgive me. Thank you. I have also seen the phrases used in a different order. Perhaps it does not matter.
The term, which may seem more complicated than it is, derives from the Hawaiian word Pono, meaning to be right with yourself, to have a deep sense of congruence. It originated with Huna, an ancient Hawaiian discipline of energy, healing and consciousness.
Hawaiian psychologist Matt James said in a Psychology Today post, "Out of our ability to be Pono with ourselves flows our ability to forgive others. This is the process Hawaiians call Ho'oponopono." James researched the practice for his PhD, validating the activity and how individuals benefit by doing it within their own minds.
Originally, it was a public act of reconciliation, but currently is more often used as a private process to create a shift. It came into popularity in the U.S. in the 90's via the self-help movement. It can be used to address something we find challenging or hold resentment about, to bring about stillness and calm.
Inherent in the prayer is the idea of taking responsibility, not just for yourself, but also for the collective. This relates to the notion that the discord we notice in the world is a mirror of the discordance found inside us, and vice versa. It's about coming into right relationship with ourselves and others.
If you want to improve your life, start by healing the wounded places within yourself, which by association, improves the world. When a situation for healing comes up, open to where the hurt resides in you. Then, with authentic feeling, recite the four statements. 'I love you. I'm sorry. Please forgive me. Thank you.' Repeat until you feel a release or shift.
There are courses for learning more detailed ways of implementing the procedure, but for the purpose here, of dealing with obstacles to your sense of well being, this simple, personal exercise can be effective. For me, it is another practice akin to the Loving Kindness meditation, for example, or reciting any type of repetitive prayer really. The key is the intention held when using it. Like other prayers, mantras or processes, such as tapping (which I wrote about before), the focus and repetition tends to shift our awareness and allow a different perspective and feeling.
Your starting point can be anything. Choose an area where you want to alleviate suffering. For example, I woke in the night with an aching area. Instead of just feeling irritated about it, I decided to focus on it with Ho'oponopono. Eventually it dissipated and I fell back to sleep. You can also choose a focus of something outside yourself that troubles you or someone else. It can be an indirect form of healing for others.
So, there is another tool for your health and wellness kit, if you like.
The term, which may seem more complicated than it is, derives from the Hawaiian word Pono, meaning to be right with yourself, to have a deep sense of congruence. It originated with Huna, an ancient Hawaiian discipline of energy, healing and consciousness.
Hawaiian psychologist Matt James said in a Psychology Today post, "Out of our ability to be Pono with ourselves flows our ability to forgive others. This is the process Hawaiians call Ho'oponopono." James researched the practice for his PhD, validating the activity and how individuals benefit by doing it within their own minds.
Originally, it was a public act of reconciliation, but currently is more often used as a private process to create a shift. It came into popularity in the U.S. in the 90's via the self-help movement. It can be used to address something we find challenging or hold resentment about, to bring about stillness and calm.
Inherent in the prayer is the idea of taking responsibility, not just for yourself, but also for the collective. This relates to the notion that the discord we notice in the world is a mirror of the discordance found inside us, and vice versa. It's about coming into right relationship with ourselves and others.
If you want to improve your life, start by healing the wounded places within yourself, which by association, improves the world. When a situation for healing comes up, open to where the hurt resides in you. Then, with authentic feeling, recite the four statements. 'I love you. I'm sorry. Please forgive me. Thank you.' Repeat until you feel a release or shift.
There are courses for learning more detailed ways of implementing the procedure, but for the purpose here, of dealing with obstacles to your sense of well being, this simple, personal exercise can be effective. For me, it is another practice akin to the Loving Kindness meditation, for example, or reciting any type of repetitive prayer really. The key is the intention held when using it. Like other prayers, mantras or processes, such as tapping (which I wrote about before), the focus and repetition tends to shift our awareness and allow a different perspective and feeling.
Your starting point can be anything. Choose an area where you want to alleviate suffering. For example, I woke in the night with an aching area. Instead of just feeling irritated about it, I decided to focus on it with Ho'oponopono. Eventually it dissipated and I fell back to sleep. You can also choose a focus of something outside yourself that troubles you or someone else. It can be an indirect form of healing for others.
So, there is another tool for your health and wellness kit, if you like.
Comments
Post a Comment