Ho’oponopono: A Hawaiian Prayer for Healing and Compassion

Ho’oponopono is a profound Hawaiian prayer that harnesses the energy of four powerful phrases to cultivate healing and compassion:

• I am sorry

• Please forgive me

• Thank you

• I love you

True healing begins with forgiveness. By releasing pain, guilt, and shame, and replacing them with love and compassion towards ourselves, we create the space to bring the same energy of healing and understanding to others.

Here’s a guided meditation to help you use the transformative power of Ho’oponopono to heal yourself:

Guided Ho’oponopono Meditation

1. Create a Sacred Space

Find a quiet and undisturbed space where you feel safe and relaxed.

2. Focus on Your Breath

Sit comfortably and bring your attention to your breath as it gently flows in and out.

3. Identify Discomfort

• As you continue to breathe, notice any part of your body where you feel stiffness, pain, heaviness, or discomfort.

• Gently ask this body part: What is this discomfort about? Listen to the first answer that arises.

• Ask: What are you holding on to, and how can I help you release this?

4. Use the Ho’oponopono Mantra

• Place your hand lovingly on the area of discomfort and begin repeating the mantra:

I am sorry, please forgive me, thank you, I love you.

• Repeat the mantra 21 times, allowing its energy to flow into the body part.

5. Acknowledge the Emotion

• Say aloud:

I am sorry for holding on to this emotion (e.g., guilt, anger, grief, or shame) for so long.

Please forgive me for not knowing better. I now understand that I did my best with the awareness I had at the time.

Thank you for replacing this unhealed emotion with the wisdom and lessons it carried. Thank you for helping me feel compassion and acceptance towards myself.

I love you. I love you just as you are, unconditionally.

6. Transform and Release

• Repeat these affirmations until the body part feels light, relaxed, and at ease.

• If needed, move to another part of your body and repeat the process.

7. Close the Practice

• Once complete, thank the Masters of Ho’oponopono, your higher self, and your body for allowing this transformation.

• Step back into your day feeling renewed and empowered.

Healing Through Self-Love

By practicing Ho’oponopono, you create space for forgiveness and compassion to flow

freely within you. As you heal yourself, you radiate that same energy outward, fostering deeper connections and peace with others.