Ho’oponopono (ho-o-pono-pono) is an ancient Hawaiian prayer that was made famous by Haleaka Hew Len PhD, a Hawaiian psychologist, and shamanic practitioner. I took on the simple yet profound forgiveness practice and found immediate benefits in my quest for self-love by repeating:

• I love you.
• I’m sorry.
• Please forgive me.
• Thank you.

The intention is for you to say these phrases to yourself, as oftentimes we are hardest on ourselves and need to forgive ourself.  If you have a strained relationship with someone, this prayer is a good place to start.  Even if you wish to never speak to someone again, this prayer can help facilitate peace so that you're able to move forward with your life without negativity between you and the other person.

Words hold specific energy that is often powered by emotion. Positive words and emotion hold a higher vibrational frequency, while negative words and emotion hold a low vibrational frequency. 

Whether practiced in prayer through journaling affirmations, as a mantra in meditation, or simply speaking it out loud, words have the ability to shift and shape.  The energy that is carried in these four statements is repentance, forgiveness, gratitude, and love. All contain a positive high vibrational frequency. And because these four statements project a high frequency, the energy return is always going to be matched, similarly to the fundamentals of Karma.

 When using the phrase “I love you,” you are choosing to use the most powerful energy source in the universe.  Every living thing reacts to love energy. This action automatically heals, neutralizes, and raises the frequency both consciously and subconsciously. Love conquers all.

 When using the phrase “I’m sorry,” you are consciously choosing to accept responsibility.  This action automatically moves the energy into the next phase, which is healing. The energy of “repenting” is also known to restore energetic order.

 When using the phrase “Please forgive me,” you are choosing to purposely project empathy, compassion, and understanding. This action automatically neutralizes energy and has the potential to remove life blocks.  Forgiveness heals the soul and allows the spirit to move forward.

 When using the phrase “Thank you,” you are choosing deliberate gratitude. This action perceives whatever you are thankful for as “good” and automatically circulates any stagnant energy that blocks abundance. Gratitude attracts abundance.

 The process of Ho’oponopono is to align with our higher selves, heal our genealogy, as well as address trauma, relationships, and struggles from the past, present, and future. When these mantras are practiced regularly, it gives the spirit an opportunity to ground, create balance, and restore the mind-body-spirit wholly.  

 Here are a few different ways you can practice Ho’oponopono. You can either say the actual phrase or the four individual statements translated in whatever language you are comfortable with:

• Journal: Write down the names of people, places, goals, trauma, or life blocks. Chant and write Ho’oponopono with faith that the universe will deliver a positive outcome.

• Meditation: Use Ho’oponopono as a mantra or chant while mentally visualizing a white and violet healing light around people, places, desires, trauma, and life blocks.  If you are visualizing a specific person, imagine purple light radiating from your head to theirs, and purple lighting radiating from your heart to theirs.

• Spoken Prayer: Simply repeat the statements with your intentions until you are called to stop. 

 The four powerful and positive affirmations not only help resolve emotional issues, but they have the power to help heal physical ailments that may be attached. This practice is known to also calm the nervous system, strengthen immunity, lower heart rate and blood pressure, and produce happy hormones that govern the endocrine system.