Mana for the Doctor's Soul

To me, some people are living, breathing examples of Ho'oponopono.  This can surely last after they pass on.  Some have been to seminars to learn about the process, and others have come to this on their own. Some people naturally come to an acceptance that we are not "in control" of outcomes, but can certainly practice peace in every moment -- no matter what.  Not all of us get this lesson so easily, even while actively doing Ho'oponopono. A comparison between my own recent activities and the attitude of a dear friend and colleague will illustrate.  I supposedly practice Ho'oponopono; he doesn't.  It's definitely in him anyway. A couple of weeks ago I was in San Diego for a session with my current homeopathic training program, California Center for Homeopathic Education .  The session contained several classroom days, a graduation evening, and also a quiz for which I needed to study. Imagine my growing concern when, around 4pm on the 100+ degree af...

I've just returned from the beautiful island of Molokai and a workshop called "The Healer Within." There, Dr. Lee Lipsenthal and Nita Gage MA of Finding Balance in a Medical Life offered a small group of physicians, other health practitioners, and their significant others ways to confront and release painful memories, practice forgiveness, and become more resilient and loving people. Ho'oponopono by any other name would surely be as sweet. The locale was no accident. One of the least developed Hawaiian islands, Molokai is also known as a historical training ground for many kahunas (specialists in Hawaiian healing and other wisdom). The place felt suffused with mana : spiritual energy and power. Dr. Lipsenthal and Ms. Gage combined activities for both "logical" or left-brained, and more "intuitive" or right-brained, mind states. Can you imagine mixing powerpoint slides showing meditation's effects on the heart , for instance, with holotropic ...

I've just returned from a workshop with several other doctors, discussing how to modulate the stress in our own lives and teach others to do the same. Our perfectionistic personalities make us ripe for overwork, guilt when things go wrong, shame when we make mistakes, and anger when we can't control outcomes. Through both lectures and exercises, Lee Lipsenthal MD of Finding Balance Productions helped us see ourselves . . . and the view was not always pretty. Much of Dr. Lipsenthal's teaching involved ways of dealing with our own reactions, and how to keep what's important central in our lives and hearts. In fact, many of the exercises focused on heart-based breathing and meditations. I thought about how my personal practice of ho'oponopono fits into these ideas. It's a moment-to-moment working relationship between all parts of me and Divinity within, leading to forgiveness and peace. And, it's definitely heart-based. The process involves noticing whatever...