A Tool To Practice Compassion for Yourself and Others
As our current meditation series comes to a close, I am forever thankful to all of SWC’s meditation guides, who have been so generous with their knowledge and insight in teaching us so many different ways to meditate.
We have saved one of the most profound techniques for the last - the beautiful practice of Ho’oponopono.
Ho’oponopono is a form of meditation that involves mental and spiritual cleansing. It is a ritual that allows for self-healing and can lead to the healing of any of our relationships and even the world!
This article has a good overview:
https://www.compassionatelistening.org/post/power-of-wholeness-and-healing
According to the author, Ho’oponopono starts with the story of a Hawaiian therapist, Dr. Ihaleakala Hew Len, who purportedly cured an entire ward of criminally insane patients, without ever meeting any of them or spending a moment in the same room.
There are four simple steps to this method, and the order is not that important. They involve the power of Repentance, Forgiveness, Gratitude and Love.
Step 1: Repentance – I’M SORRY
This tradition holds that 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.
So you could choose something that you already know you’ve caused for yourself: Overweight? Addicted to nicotine, alcohol or some other substance? Do you have anger issues? Health problems? Start there and say you’re sorry. That’s the whole step: I’M SORRY. Underneath you are saying, “I realize that I am responsible for the (issue) in my life and I feel terrible remorse that something in my consciousness has caused this.”
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 your remorse from step 1 as you ask to be forgiven.
Step 3: Gratitude – THANK YOU
Say “THANK YOU” – again it doesn’t really matter who or what you’re thanking. Thank your body for all it does for you. Thank yourself for being the best you can be. Thank God. Thank the Universe. Thank whatever it was that just forgave 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. 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.
How to do this mantra practice: Call to mind a relationship where you would like to bring forgiveness and healing, with a deeper connection of ease between you. (It could be with your self) First take a few moments to center; bring the breath to your heart; imagine a golden light infusing your heart with compassion, gratitude and love – for yourself and for all the wonders in your life. Now picture the person in front of you and imagine this golden light overflowing and pouring out to them as you begin the mantra, repeating over and over, from your heart to theirs:
I’m sorry.
Please forgive me.
Thank you.
I love you.
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You are invited to join Juli Kagan as she leads the Ho’oponopono practice on Thursday June 10th at 7:00 p.m. Juli will explain the full story behind the technique and ways we can use it in our daily lives.
We can’t wait to welcome you!
With love and light,
Denise