I’m in paradise for a lovely, generous New Zealand family who kindly invited me to sing to celebrate an important milestone birthday. What an honour! I’m humbled they wanted me to join them for their intimate private party on this enchanted island, all the way from London. They have treated me like family, and shown me how important family is to them, and it’s been the most incredible treat.
Clearly, being in Hawaii, I’m in awe of the majesty and beauty of this place, and the spiritual nature and traditions of this unique location. I’ve been swept up by the energy and magic of Maui so I’m feeling particularly contemplative. Watch out!
Have you heard of the Hawaiian therapist who cured an entire ward of criminally insane patients, without ever meeting any of them or spending a moment in the same room? Really. My friend Susan told me all about it recently and then – boom – here I am in Hawaii. The therapist’s name was Dr. Ihaleakala Hew Len who reviewed each of the patients’ files, and then he healed them by healing himself. The amazing results seem like a miracle… but then miracles do happen… I believe!
(Great song, it’s on my first solo album because it’s a favourite and then I just recorded backing vocals to it for the new Elvis album out at Christmas time, woo hoo!) Anyway, back to the point, Geoff.
How can you heal yourself and have it heal others? How can you even heal yourself?
The secret? ** Everything happens to you in your mind. Everything you see, hear, everyone you meet, you experience in your mind, in your thinking. You only think it’s “out there” and you think that absolves you of responsibility. In fact it’s quite the opposite: you are responsible for everything you think, and everything that comes to your attention. Apparently if you watch the news, everything you hear on the news is your responsibility. That sounds harsh, but it means that you are also able to clear it, clean it, and through forgiveness change it.
Isn’t that awesome!
There are four simple steps to this method, called Ho’oponopono**, and the order is not that important. Repentance, Forgiveness, Gratitude and Love are the only forces at work – but these forces have amazing power.
The best part of the updated version of Ho’oponopono is you can do it yourself, you don’t need anyone else to be there, you don’t need anyone to hear you. You can “say” the words in your head. The power is in the feeling and in the willingness of the Universe to forgive and love.
Step 1: Repentance – I’M SORRY
You are responsible for everything in your mind, even if it seems to be “out there.” Once you realize that, it’s very natural to feel sorry. This realization can be painful, and you will likely resist accepting responsibility for the “out there” kind of problems until you start to practice this method on your more obvious “in here” problems and see results. Anger? Health problems? Whatever it is, start there and say you’re sorry.
Step 2: Ask Forgiveness – PLEASE FORGIVE ME
Don’t worry about who you’re asking. Just ask! PLEASE FORGIVE ME. Say it over and over. Mean it. Remember that you’re sorry (step 1) as you ask.
Step 3: Gratitude – THANK YOU
Say “THANK YOU” – again it doesn’t really matter who or what you’re thanking. Thank your body for years of service. Thank yourself for being the best you can be. Thank everyone who has helped you in your life. Thank God, thank the Universe or whatever is appropriate for you. Just keep saying THANK YOU.
Step 4: Love – I LOVE YOU
This can also be step 1. Say I LOVE YOU. Say it to your body, say it to God or whomever or whatever is relevant. Say I LOVE YOU to the air you breathe, to the house that shelters you. Say I LOVE YOU to your challenges. Say it over and over. Mean it. Feel it. There is nothing as powerful as love.
BOOM, that’s it. The whole practice in a nutshell. Pure and simple, apparently.
Might seem a bit woo woo to some of you. Might be right up your alley for others. Here in Maui, it seems as natural as breathing.
Me ka aloha pumehana
Geoff
**Source: How to practice Ho’oponopono in Four Simple Steps by Sebastien Gendry
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