Ho’oponopono is a really beautiful family healing ritual originating from Hawaii. Sharing my gratitude to the Hawaiian healers who created this practice, and for my teacher davidji who first introduced me to this as a meditation that I am sharing with you below
The translation, as I understand it, for Ho’oponopono is to “make right, right again”. Or correction. It is traditionally shared in extended family settings, led by a family elder, so I think about it like a deep family reset to clear the air, reconnect and make things right again.
The first time I did this meditation (and still when I practice it now, honestly) I end up experiencing major catharsis and crying often - which is not my usual meditative vibe!
I wondered if perhaps this is because I am a Maori man, and feel deeply connected as an indigenous Pacific Islander. Or because of various family wounds still lingering inside me. I do know for sure that the more I do this, I have come to think it is the practice itself. It is deceptively simple, and really gets to the heart of emotions I don’t often abide in. I hope you love it too.
The practice itself cultivates repentance, forgiveness, gratitude and love. And this is done by repeating the following mantra in different contexts:
“I’m sorry. Please forgive me. Thank you. I love you.”
In the meditation we will bring to mind past selves and family ancestors so please be gentle with yourself in the process if that is sensitive for you, and reply to me if you need support integrating. The goal is to shift from judgement toward love and gratitude for all those before you who did their best and helped you be here today, even if it doesn’t always feel that way.
If you are going through a tough time with your family, I recommend coming back to this meditation regularly until more of those relationships feel they have shifted. If things are good, I like to come back every 2-4 weeks as maintenance. It works great in the morning, but also as a second sit, late afternoon, to wash off the funk from the day.
As always, questions and thoughts in the comments. I encourage sharing of any realizations or things that come up for you that might help other meditators in our community.
Share this post