Greater Mind Integration

Here’s some thoughts on the concept of Ho’oponopono. This is based on my experience of using this practice in my own life, and the insights I have gained from it.

In applying this practice, I start from certain premises about the nature of reality. It is not necessary to agree with these premises to apply the practice of Ho’oponopono, but this perspective is helpful to me in applying the practice without unnecessary mental constraints, allowing an extension of the reach of the practice’s effectiveness.

First premise:

All “time” is now, and all “space” is here.  Therefore, our conscious intentions can influence past, present, and future equally, and across “distance.”

We experience what we call time and space, because we observe eternity in bits and pieces, rather than as a whole.   When I use the word “eternity,” I don’t mean “a long, long time.”  I use the word “eternity” to describe the totality of all that we call “time,” as it exists in this moment.

Healing is a function of consciousness, and consciousness is not constrained by the illusion of past, present, and future. In other words, you can pray for the healing of events in the past, present, or future with equal effectiveness.

Second premise:

There is nothing in your experience that is not your responsibility. Do not confuse responsibility with blame, however.

In an effort to explain, I offer this analogy:

If I stub my toe, it isn’t the “fault” of my hand. Yet, my hand will take responsibility to clean and bandage the toe, as this is what’s best for the whole body. The hand doesn’t say to the toe, “Through your carelessness, you have caused pain to the whole body. This is your fault, Toe! You will have to bandage yourself!” The toe doesn’t have the ability to bandage itself, so it relies on the hands to help it heal. This benefits the toe, the hands, and the whole body. If the toe is not helped by the hands, it could become infected and make the entire body sick.

In the same way, if another human being causes harm to you, it is not your “fault.” But as you begin to realize that no other human is actually separate from you, that all forms of consciousness are as connected as cells in a body, you will also realize that it makes no sense to hate or reject those who have caused you pain.

Those who harmed you did so because they did not understand this principle. Their sense of separation caused delusion and suffering. Then, in their state of suffering, they caused suffering for others. You can not help them heal, thus helping the world heal, if you are operating from the same perspective of disconnection and rejection that caused the hurt in the first place.

“So, what am I supposed to do?” you ask. “Just go give them a hug?”

No. Obviously both the problem and the solution are deeper than that. That’s one of the very lovely things about Ho’oponopono, as it affects the delusion of disconnection at the level of consciousness and leaves out the need for ham-handed, awkward attempts to solve things from the level of ego.

Based on two premises I have laid out above, consider applying the Ho’oponopono with this intention:   

“Whatever I may have done throughout eternity, in my thoughts, thoughtlessness, words, silence, actions, or inaction, in any way that I have contributed to the perpetuation of any delusion that contributed to your suffering; I Love You, I’m Sorry, Please Forgive Me, Thank You.”

The power of healing phrases, such as, I Love You, I’m Sorry, Please Forgive Me, and Thank You, has been demonstrated in the well-known book, The Hidden Messages in Water by Masuru Emoto.

Emoto’s research demonstrated how specific, intentional thoughts can influence crystalline patterns in water’s structure. Much research has also been done demonstrating how intentional thoughts affect plant growth, and the healing of physical ailments. It follows that these phrases could have a healing effect on interpersonal relationships.

At first, it may not seem clear why something that has effects on material, such as water or the body, would just as easily affect the healing of something that is non-material, such as interpersonal relationships. 

So, why would they work the same way? Because consciousness underlies all phenomena, and the root of all healing is at the level of consciousness. Consciousness does not discriminate between any sort of energetic phenomena. At the level of consciousness, there is no distinction between physical, mental, emotional, or any other kind of phenomena.

Furthermore, the healing power of these thoughts and words is not limited to time of space, because time and space are illusions. In other words, it doesn’t matter how far away someone, or something is in time and space, because distance and time are not relevant. Thought is not inherently limited by time or space. It’s only limited by the self-imposed belief that it’s limited.

Simply put, if you believe your thoughts aren’t limited by time or space, they aren’t. If you think they are, they are. This practice can have healing effects on the past, future, and present, as well as across distance. There is no real limit to the effects of any thought, except that you believe there is a limit.

Because all consciousness is interconnected, it can be just as effective to use the phrase Ho’oponopono, or to state the 4 phrases attributed to the word. A word that is used by many people with a strong intention, will carry the “charge,” like an electrical charge, of that intention. The charge comes from the collective intentions of all those who have used it before you.

It can work as well stating the 4 phrases in your native language, or by applying the same intention using the word, Ho’oponopono. Either way will work if you apply it with the same intention.

Think of any person, event, memory, worry, for which you hold an unhappy or unpleasant charge. You can apply this to any sort of issue or concern. It will transform negatively charged feelings so you no longer carry them. Apply this to any person or situation where you are experiencing conflict with.

Also, do this practice in the mirror. Make eye contact with yourself and offer these phrases with sincerity. It may be difficult to do this at first. You may believe it is easier to offer phrases of loving kindness to others than to yourself. But if you consider the premise that we are all as one body of consciousness, you may realize that any limit you put on loving yourself will create a limit in your ability to love others.

The level of difficulty you experience in giving this to yourself, will show you the limits of what you are offering to others.  We are all one. So, if it seems easier to offer Ho’oponopono to others than to yourself, or vice versa, continue with the practice until it is equally easy to offer this for yourself or anyone else.

When you can unflinchingly offer love and forgiveness to yourself, your gift to others will be deeper and more powerful.

This practice is based on the principle that we are all one mind and inseparable from one another. It is not necessary to completely believe in or understand this practice in order to gain benefit from it. The practice itself will increase your understanding.