Mana for the Doctor's Soul

This is a very brief video conversation with Morrnah Simeona and Dr. Ihaleakala Lew Len. Morrnah passed into spirit in Germany, in 1992. The sincerity in both of them comes through for me. Morrnah became known for "updating" the ancient Ho'oponopono process of correcting errors and making things right, for modern times. She termed her method "Self-I-dentity Through Ho'oponopono." They speak of allowing Divinity to help each of us heal ourselves and our relationships through repentance, forgiveness, and transmutation -- the last of which, only Divinity can do. They point out that Divinity created us, not any other person. The traditional Ho'oponopono process involved an entire group of people, moderated by an elder who might make suggestions to dissipate family conflict. Here, Morrnah explains that her amendments rely on each person's bonding directly with Divinity, rather than relying on any other human to solve his or her problems. Further, she ...

I've just enjoyed a 1987 video of Morrnah Simeona and Dr. Ihaleakala Hew Len conversing about Ho'oponopono, through Zerolag.biz . What a wonderful gift for a Thanksgiving weekend! Zerolag.biz is making this vintage 29-minute video ren table for $1.00, until Sunday evening 11/29/15. In it, Morrnah describes her familiarity with traditional Ho'oponopono, which translates from Hawaiian as "making things right."  Morrnah shares that Self-Identity Through Ho'oponopono is her own process, updated for modern times. She remarks that she knew this in previous lifetimes as well. Morrnah believed we all have MANY lifetimes, and that their memory traces come with us wherever we go. In fact, this residue is the root cause of all problems everywhere.  The entire conversation is beautiful to me, as it encompasses the parts of the Self, our relationship with Divinity, healing, and health issues like diabetes, addiction, and schizophrenia. It was filmed in Alaska, and...

Many have written me asking for proof that Ho'oponopono "works."  Maybe they're looking for controlled, double-blind studies that do not exist; maybe they're just seeking hope that something they choose to do can truly improve their lives. I've been practicing Ho'oponopono now for almost 10 years, and have experienced both times of peace and inner turmoil with it. Fortunately my teacher Dr. Ihaleakala Hew Len has always been a timely example and guide. He has laughed, cajoled, goaded, offered useful metaphors, and held compassion during my journey.   This past week something happened that I can only attribute to Ho'oponopono -- being willing to clean even though seeing no outward "results."  I want to share about this here, because it's extremely meaningful to me.  It may also provide some hope for you, if wondering about outward effects of this practice. Yet I also want to protect the other person's privacy.  I lost a profoundl...

I've recently returned from a week-long, silent Vipassana (Insight Meditation) retreat. Called "Convergence" and run by teachers and staff from Spirit Rock Meditation Center , it was held at the Angela Center near Santa Rosa, CA.  The "convergence" they spoke of was bringing Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) together with the Buddha's teachings in vipassana tradition.  This usually doesn't happen so openly in MBSR courses, even though many teachers have personal experience with Buddhist practice. My own private "convergence" included Ho'oponopono as well.  :-) At its heart, Insight Meditation is the practice of mindful awareness in any moment. You can use anything -- breath, body sensations, emotions, sounds, etc. -- as foci of attention.  This tradition recognizes that the mind's productions are often comical and obsessive -- even sometimes tragic because they distract us from current experience.  It encourages us to notic...

You may have seen this photo on the news today.  Patrolling Polish soldiers found this little girl abandoned on the side of a road in southern Afghanistan. How frightening it must have been to go near the towel in which she was wrapped, no one else around for a mile!  The soldiers knew the risk of hidden roadside bombs along the route to their Waghez military base.   But they were brave enough to look within.    They named her "Pola" (after Poland), and brought her to a medical center on their base.  They also bought her some formula and a bib.  :-) I cannot imagine the pain her mother could be suffering, to have left her daughter this way -- or to have had her taken from her.  Who knows what led up to this infant being left behind?    Those who practice Ho'oponopono may also find something useful here.  In many trainings I've heard how we so often abandon own inner child, or Unihipili, and do not take care of it. ...

Pu'uhonua O Honaunau: Place of Refuge I've just returned from the Big Island of Hawaii, where I had the good fortune to attend IZI LLC's Self-Identity through Ho'oponopono Basic II seminar .   It felt very important to me to be there, since they have not offered this class in many years. I always learn deeply from Dr. Ihaleakala Hew Len, both through his words and example.   He shared many aspects that were new to me, such as soul restoration and additional ways to clean.  And yet, the primary reason to be there did not seem to be gaining "information."  Instead, it seemed to be the process of cleaning itself, especially for the land we were on.    Over the 2 days, he asked multiple people to speak.  When he came to me, I had no words . . . just a feeling of absolute stillness and peace.  Having come through a challenging last few months, this was a great relief for me!  I tried my best to express it, and hope it came through....

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 ...

The other day I received some alarming evidence of my own lack of clarity. It came in a friendly email, for which I am grateful. But the author went on to show me how I had apparently been unclear in my blog posts, or he would never have written me. After cleaning by myself for some time, I felt inspired to ask several other Ho'oponopono colleagues to join me. They graciously did. What had happened? The friendly person invited me to join his newly formed web site which cleans on behalf of its members, who pay a monthly fee for this service. He explained: "I teach and practice [a type of energy therapy] and Ho’oponopono. A couple of weeks ago my partner was watching Hew Len and got the idea that we should start a private members site to clean on behalf of the membership . It has been profound for us and our members. You have probably heard Dr Len talk about the gift of Ho’oponopono to “therapists”. People are attracted to your services because you are cleaning and ...

Ho'oponopono is an ancient Hawaiian method of problem solving, stress release, and making things right. It can help us no matter how resentful, angry, hurt, frightened, or righteously indignant we might be feeling. Historically, doing Ho'oponopono required all people involved in a conflict to be present -- along with a moderator (usually an elder) who would also offer prayers at appropriate times. The process was a ceremony aimed at resolving differences and restoring harmony. Morrnah Simeona was a Kahuna Lapa'au (Hawaiian healer employing prayer, herbs, love [aloha] and touch to restore health to ailing people) who updated this ancient process for modern times. This became Self-Identity Through Ho'oponopono (SITH), as now taught by Dr. Ihaleakala Hew Len and others all over the world. Morrnah's SITH process allows each of us to work with Divinity within, rather than physically bringing together everyone with whom we might be having trouble. Ho'oponopono see...

"Do not despair. Your work will bear fruit in 700 years or so . " ~The Dalai Lama I had to laugh on seeing this quotation from the Dalai Lama -- it reminded me so much of teachings from Dr. Ihaleakala Hew Len and Morrnah Simeona . How often have YOU questioned whether your Ho'oponopono cleaning "does any good"? While laughing, I'm also acknowledging that my human sense of time is probably very different from that of Divinity's. On the Big Island of Hawaii there is an active volcano: Kilauea. It's said to be the home of Pele, the volcano goddess described in Hawaiian chants as "She Who Shapes the Land." Kilauea has erupted some 34 times since 1952, and has been continually active since 1983. (see my photo above) When I was on Hawaii in February, only smoke was coming from the crater -- and yet in previous years I've seen lava flowing into the sea from the volcano's east flank. Land is being created constantly, no matter what stage ...

I've been in Hawai'i for the past couple of weeks, gifted with an opportunity to learn from some very wise and articulate kahunas on the Big Island. How rare to spend time with people whose every breath is Ho'oponopono , in a land known as "the Breath and the Water of the Divinity." * My journey overlapped with many, many humpback whales visiting from Alaska. They migrate to Hawaiian waters every year to have their babies, sing, and mate. You really can hear their songs even outside the water . . . and it is an amazing experience also to hear them breathe and see them spout. Not to mention leaping out of the water -- all 80,000 pounds' worth! Even with all their activities, they don't eat while in Hawaii from late November through spring -- they only do that in Alaskan waters. Sometimes the nursing females are skin and bones by the time they migrate back north; baby humpback whales can drink 150 gallons of milk a day. Pretty hefty appetites, yes? Som...

Christmas Eve is my favorite night of the year. It seems all things are possible, and all is well. Hope is present; goodwill glows in our hearts. Even so, some are separated from families and loved ones by geography; some through misunderstanding; and others by choice. This is painful, because we heal and grow through our connections with others. Steeped in relationship, we learn what we need to know. May all who feel estranged, alienated, or lonely find solace in this night. It celebrates when Divinity enfleshed in the form of a tiny child, loved and raised by humble parents doing the best they could. This is what we all seek to do, even as confused and confusing as we might be. On this holy night, I remind us all of Morrnah's Prayer, which has been published on the internet and elsewhere in slightly different forms. Through it, we can re-establish harmony within ourselves, with Divinity, and with others. Thus it can create peace on earth. I feel special need to work with it myse...

Ho'oponopono is an ancient Hawaiian method for restoring harmony, solving problems, and releasing stress. Traditionally, extended families used Ho'oponopono to "set things right" when conflict arose.* Moderated by a family elder or Kahuna Lapa'au (healer), this was like a large family conference where all could speak their hearts. But as Dr. Ihaleakala Hew Len often mentions, its success required all family members to be present. Depending on the issues involved, the entire process could be lengthy. But the steps would be outlined for everyone beforehand: they include prayer, stating the problem, discussion, confession of wrongdoing, restitution when needed, forgiveness, and release. The Ho'oponopono began with a "pule" (prayer) asking God to help and bless the proceedings. The family and leader together would seek out the cause of the problem or conflict, which might be very complex. The leader focused the conversation, exploring these hurts so t...

It's been a rainy weekend in Colorado Springs, and Drs. Ihaleakala Hew Len and Kikikipa Kretzer have just finished a Health Ho'oponopono seminar. This offers the Basic Ho'oponopono material, with additional focus on cleaning with health conditions such as hypertension, cancer, arthritis, and many others. I was grateful to help staff the seminar. What a gift to meet so many pure-hearted people from so many places, all wanting to learn how to practice Ho'oponopono in their own way! This is one of the special delights of Ho'oponopono: it offers us methods of connecting with Divinity for ourselves, without need for go-betweens. To assist us, certain meditations, processes, and attitudes are shared. Ho'oponopono also offers "cleaning tools" that are a particular curiosity for many, but their wide variety can seem mysterious and confusing. Our intellects want to know "what" each tool is used for, so we can "do it right". In my case, it w...

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 wish I could make it more complicated for you, but I really cannot." ~Dr. Ihaleakala Hew Len I've often heard Dr. Hew Len say this to people, both in person and on teleseminar calls. A combination of laughter followed by silence usually results. Many of us just can't fathom how saying "I love you" or mentally thinking a so-called cleaning tool such as "ice blue" can do anything in the outer world of effects. Perhaps that is precisely the point -- it is beyond our human abilities to fathom. Indeed, one of the things many like about Ho'oponopono is its simplicity. It excludes no one, requires no particular dogma, and can be practiced in all situations. Health issues, family discord, financial challenges, and career or life purpose dilemmas are only a few possible applications. Soon after meeting Dr. Hew Len, I asked him about additional training beyond " Basic" Ho'oponopono . How he had developed his own understanding of it, ove...