MUST HAVE: Hawaiian Prayer

HAWAIIAN PRAYER

Ho’oponopono is an ancient Hawaiian practice for forgiveness and reconciliation. Ho’o (“to make”) and pono (“right”).

The philosophy behind this practice is that we’re each responsible for what shows up in our reality. We own our feelings and our experiences. So even if someone else has wronged us, we’re the ones saying, “I am sorry. Forgive me.” This practice's foundation is unity: an unbreakable bond that connects you to everyone else, even though we seem so separate.

Across all cultures, we all agree that the concepts of thank you, I’m sorry, please forgive me and I love you are all valuable and important. By activating this mantra in your life, you initiate the act and intention of holding space for reflection, repentance, forgiveness, and gratitude. Ho’oponopono contains an awareness that the discordance we find in others and the world outside ourselves is due to “errors” in thought stored in our personal and collective memories.

It’s more than the prayer alone; it’s a process of making things right in your relationships — with others, ancestors, deities, the earth, yourself.

Artist Sandra Kusano writes, “my interpretation of this prayer was inspired by recent events surrounding the loss of our brother, George Floyd and the countless others around the globe, some whose name we know and some who have gone nameless.

My intention is to honour the gorgeous tones of humanity that blend into one another naturally and effortlessly. My wish is that we heal from the inside out and allow the ripple of hope to fill every corner of our planet. It is my honour to share it with you.”

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I used to feel bad that I didn’t have a solid identity with a specific culture and nationality. I envied friends who confidently exclaimed they were “X” without hesitation. I am a Korean- Japanese-American but I proudly identify as a global citizen. Who I am today, is layer upon layer of interactions with people from many cultures around the globe. My life’s passion is exploring both the outer and inner world.

— Sandra Kusano