"It's Not Out There" -- Morrnah Nalamaku Simeona

Many people are traveling for the holidays, especially on airplanes.  Someone spoke with me the other day about her fear of flying, which was intense enough to sideline her from certain trips. 

She shared that for her, the worst part of this is "turbulence".  She couldn't stand the feeling of inner lurching, seeing things fly off seat trays, and flight attendants grabbing onto seats to walk.  Even the potential for this was too much to risk.

I remembered a story that Dr. Ihaleakala Hew Len told about his own travels with Morrnah Simeona, the Kahuna Lapa'au who updated Ho'oponopono for modern times.  Morrnah taught all over the world, including at medical centers and the United Nations 3 times.  For her expertise in Hawaiian language and culture, the Hawaii State Legislature and the Hongwanji Mission of Honolulu  named her a "Living Treasure of Hawaii." 

Anyway, Dr. Hew Len worked and traveled with Morrnah for about 10 years before her death in 1992. 

They would always do their Ho'oponopono cleaning before and during their trips.  But on one of their flights, the plane hit turbulence, lurching up and down.  Instinctively, Dr. Hew Len looked out the window.  "I don't know what I thought I would see, but I looked anyway," he said.

Sitting next to him, Morrnah had appeared to be asleep (as she often did).  But she softly said to him, "It's not out there."

Huh? 

Dr. Hew Len realized that she meant the TURBULENCE was not "out there" -- it was IN HERE.  The air turbulence on the flight, like any other potential "problem" we might encounter, was simply memories within -- showing up for release.  On the flight they could look out the window for something else to blame, or take 100% responsibility for their experience, and clean.

They picked option #2, and the turbulence soon disappeared.

Lots of us are walking around all the time with inner turbulence. For the least seeming impertinence, we snap at each other.  We shove and jostle our way in lines, cutting off others so we can be "first".  We get surly with airline workers at the check-in areas.  It all happens in a split second, unconsciously -- no thought, just lizard-brain activity. 

What if we cleaned instead -- BEFORE and during our travels?  What if we simply said "thank you" at each juncture, at each step of the journey?  What if we said (maybe silently) "thank you" to the plane, the seats we're in?  What if we really took responsibility, and -- through Ho'oponopono as well as literally -- cleaned up our places before disembarking?

What if Dr. Hew Len is correct, and "If you could see what happens every time you clean, you would never, ever stop?"

I'm taking him up on that, including when people talk to me about their fear of flying and turbulence.  What about you?

Peace (and safe travels) begins with me,
Pam