If you’ve been feeling like you’re bumping up against the same old patterns, beliefs, or behaviours – no matter how much work you’ve done – then this week’s focus might just be the missing piece you’ve been looking for.
We’re talking about Ho’oponopono – the ancient Hawaiian practice of forgiveness and reconciliation. It’s powerful. It’s simple. And it can transform not just your relationship with others, but your relationship with yourself.
🌺A Little History
Ho’oponopono has been practiced in Hawaii for generations as a way to restore harmony within families and communities. The word itself loosely translates to “to make things right” or “to put things in order.”
In modern times, it became more widely known through the work of Dr. Ihaleakala Hew Len, a Hawaiian psychologist who famously worked in a mental health institution for the criminally insane. Here’s the remarkable part – he never actually counselled the patients face-to-face. Instead, he would sit in his office, review each patient’s file, and apply Ho’oponopono to himself.
His approach was based on the belief that everything in our reality is connected to our own consciousness. By cleaning and clearing what was within him, the energy shifted in the patients. Over time, patients began to heal, behaviours changed, and eventually, the ward closed down.
🌀The Four Simple Phrases
At its core, Ho’oponopono is made up of four short sentences:
- I’m sorry
- Please forgive me
- Thank you
- I love you
You don’t even need to direct them to a specific person. You can use them to clear a memory, dissolve an old belief, or bring peace to a recurring pattern. It’s not about self-blame – it’s about recognising the shared responsibility we have for the energy we experience, and choosing to clean it up.
🌟Everyday Use – Clearing Patterns & Beliefs
The beauty of Ho’oponopono is how adaptable it is. You can use it:
- When an old memory or hurt pops up unexpectedly.
- When you notice yourself reacting to someone in the same way you always have.
- Before bed, to clear the day’s interactions and energy.
- When you feel stuck, foggy, or weighed down.
For example, if you’ve carried a belief since childhood that you’re “not good enough,” you can quietly repeat the four phrases, imagining you are speaking to that belief, the younger version of yourself, or even the energy of the situation.
💖Why It Works
Ho’oponopono bypasses the mental chatter and goes straight to the heart of energy clearing. It’s less about analysing why something happened, and more about lovingly releasing the charge it holds over you.
When we take 100% responsibility for what shows up in our lives – not from a place of guilt, but from empowerment – we realise that we also have the power to change it.
🌈This Week’s Invitation
Every time you notice a repeating thought, emotion, or pattern this week, pause. Take a breath. And run through the four phrases – I’m sorry. Please forgive me. Thank you. I love you.
Notice how it shifts your energy. Notice if the old weight feels lighter. This isn’t a one-off trick – it’s a life tool you can carry anywhere, anytime.
Because when we clear the old patterns and beliefs that no longer serve us, we create space for something beautiful, new, and aligned to enter.