A New Way of Resolving Problems

Ho’oponopono is a method for problem solving that began, and is still used today, on the Hawaiian Islands. The method is used in its original form as a means of conflict resolution between groups of peoples. The involved groups, often sets of families, come together where a conflict exists and air out differences and disputes and ultimately offer apologies for offenses made. What’s particularly exceptional about the original form of the method is its basic notion that conflict exists more at the group level than strictly among individuals.

While the idea of conflict as a group form may seem impractical and maybe even irrational, perhaps especially to western cultures, the idea on inspection really does have some merit. Is it unreasonable to assume that a person in conflict will find sympathy among their relations and friends? From such sympathy an expansion of conflict could easily occur. Where once there were only two in conflict, now defenders and sympathizers enter the fray, and suddenly the conflict is expanded and has the capacity to expand almost indefinitely. The Hawaiians understood this it seems, and thus within the method, where there is conflict as many potentially affected parties as possible are brought together to find peace.

Ho’oponopono in its original form has a quite long history in Hawaii. Many if not most native Hawaiians would likely be familiar with the method, and possibly have even engaged in it. A derivative of the original form eventually appeared, and interest in this expansion of the method has drawn a steady interest that continues to expand. A woman named Morrnah Simeona, who was referred to as a spiritual healer within the Hawaiian culture, is credited as the person who brought an updated form of ho’oponopono into awareness. This new form of the method still has a focus on conflict resolution, but the resolution is no longer between groups of people: in the updated form, the resolution occurs between an individual and the divine spirit, or God.

The essential thinking behind the updated method is that life difficulties are a function of internal toxic processes that humans come into existence carrying. These processes, often referred to as memories or data, replay constantly with the results showing as what is perceived to be external strife. This strife is not something that only occurs within the individual: any form of difficulty that is perceived, even if it occurs ten thousand miles away, is thought to originate within the individual via internal toxic processes. The good news is that within this updated ho’oponopono process, these processes can be spiritually rectified, with the result being an end to the toxicity within the individual and the individual being guided to their perfect place within the universe.

On first impression, this updated ho’oponopono form may sound like an unbelievable approach and surely would be dismissed by some, if not most, as fantasy. The problem for these pessimists is the updated version of the method has a growing number of practitioners, and effects from using the method are being reported and even being measured and documented. This sort of hard “evidence” is quite difficult to dismiss. And this, in part, is why the updated version of ho’oponopono continues to attract interest.