HO'OPONOPONO 'Setting things to rights'
In a culture within which a state of harmony and well-being, internally and in relation to others and the world, was considered to be normal health, the Hawai'ians of old had a clearly defined approach to and structure for resolving discord ~ Ho'oponopono - returning things to what was known to be a natural and appropriate 'rightness'.
Ho'oponopono could be applied personally, interpersonally and interdimensionally ~ if you consider the spiritual to be a different dimension than the physical. A view more reflective of the ancient Hawai'ians would have been that disharmony - a lack of well-being - was a result of a person or people being out of balance or accord with themselves - a likely result of one function of self attempting to dominate rather than working in alignment with and accord with all levels of the self.
'The ancient Hawai'ians developed the practice of Ho'oponopono to improve interpersonal relations within the ''ohana (extended family) long before Sigmund Freud pointed his patients to a couch and asked them to recount childhood incidents.
'In the Hawai'ian language, Ho'oponopono means 'setting to right' the problems and conflicts one experiences so as not to carry around that burden of discord which spoils the good aspects of life.
Ho'oponopono is an ancient method which ends bickering and fighting by re-establishing a balance with each individual and harmonising natural forces; all of which Hawai'ians deem as important parts of their culture.
'Lately the practice has also been successfully utilised by various social agencies. The resurgence of Ho'oponopono as a culturally appropriate method for Hawai'ians to resolve family and social problems has given this ancient rite new life in a troubled world.'
~ Special Feature in Aloha Magazine by Jacob Kamhis (1993)
Ho'oponopono for individuals and groups is available through Neuroads on request.