“Any time we think the problem is “out there”, that thought is the problem.” Stephen Covey
I’d like to share something I’ve been playing with the last few weeks.
A wonderfully simple way to free yourself of limiting thoughts.
Probably you’ve already heard of Ho’oponopono and even use it.
But have you tried it on your yourself, and specifically your life lesson?
What is Ho’oponopono?
An Hawaiian technique that helps you clear your inner world of old thoughts and memories, and, as you do so, your outer world changes.
The way I see it, there are 2 ways to use Ho’oponopono.
1. applying it to problems that are “out there” – the outer world mirrors your inner world.
2. applying it to inner limiting thoughts as you notice them.
This second application can be used with or without input from your hands, but when used together with your fingerprints, it’s a game changer.
Let’s jump right in and practice a bit, then we’ll explore where it comes from, background stories and more.
How do you do it?
Whenever you have a limiting thought about yourself of any kind (think life lesson) simply apologize to yourself for having the thought.
Here’s all you need to say: “I’m sorry. Please forgive me. Thank you. I love you.”
You can say only one of these sentences. Or all four.
From a practical perspective, that’s all there is to it.
Try it. You’ll be amazed.
More about Ho’oponopono -
The practice caught the attention of the healing world in 2005 when a story spread like wildfire about a Hawaiian called Dr Len who healed an entire ward of dangerous mentally ill criminals. The thing that captured everyone’s imagination was that he didn’t even work directly with the inmates. He simply took their files into his office and quietly worked on himself using Ho’oponopono techniques. Owning, loving and releasing the parts within himself that each inmate represented.
He did this mostly by saying “I’m sorry. Please forgive me. Thank you. I love you.”
When Dr Len (Ihaleakala Hew Len, Ph.D.) first arrived at the clinic, no-one wanted to work there as it was a really dangerous and depressing place. Nothing else was done besides Ho’oponopono. Gradually things started improving at the clinic and after a few years there were such huge changes in everyone that most of the patients were released. Eventually the ward was closed. The story has since been verified as true by eye witnesses and Len himself, and was written up in a book by Joe Vitale. If you’d like the background theory about Ho’oponopono and how it works get it directly from Dr Len’s website.
In Dr Len’s words: “Ho’oponopono sees each problem not as an ordeal, but as an opportunity. Problems are just replayed memories of the past showing up to give us one more chance to see with the eyes of love and to act from inspiration.”
“I had to take complete responsibility within myself for actualizing the problems outside myself,”
Whatever appears in your life, no matter how it got there, is up for healing simply because it’s now on your radar.” (Ihaleakala Hew Len, p.179, Zero limits, Joe Vitale)
Ho’oponopono is a Hawaiian word meaning “cause perfection”. It is quite a mind bend because it practically demonstrates that whatever problems are out there are a reflection of your own inner canvas. It’s your movie and hence your creative responsibility. Usually we try to blame or act on the world instead of clearing our own inner world. But that’s like trying to apply lip stick to your mirror reflection instead of onto your own lips. Rather frustrating and messy. 
Dr Len likes to quote Shakespeare’s sonnet 30. “Each of us came in with our “fore-bemoanèd moans” already made. Problem memories have nothing to do with people, places, or situations. They are opportunities to be set free.”
This fits well with Richard Unger’s fingerprint thesis: your “fore-bemoanèd moans” are visible in your fingerprints – as your life lesson. There’s nothing actually to fix. All that’s required is self compassion. This then unlocks your purpose.
Ho’oponopono is a practical way to do this. It’s a good tool to offer clients and to use yourself, on your life lesson and in general, with any “problem” that shows up on your radar.
Don’t know your life lesson?
Get a free report on this here
or the ebook here.