What is Ho’oponopono?
A simple Hawaiian practice you can use every day
Every now and then, a spiritual practice comes along that is so simple, yet so powerful, you wonder why we don’t all use it every day.
One of those practices is Ho’oponopono.
You may have heard the phrase before, or maybe you’ve seen the four simple sentences that go with it. But many people aren’t quite sure what it actually is or how to use it.
So I thought I’d share a little about it because it’s something I use all the time with clients, in healing work, and in my own life.
And honestly, it has become a bit of a mantra for life.
So what is Ho’oponopono?
Ho’oponopono is an ancient Hawaiian healing practice that focuses on forgiveness, responsibility and restoring harmony.
The word itself roughly translates as “to make things right” or “to put things back into balance.”
Traditionally, it was used within families and communities when there had been conflict or emotional upset. It was a way to clear the air, heal relationships and move forward with love and understanding.
Modern Ho’oponopono has become beautifully simple and centres around four phrases that you can repeat in your mind to the Universe as a Mantra:
I’m sorry
Please forgive me
Thank you
I love you
That’s it. Four sentences. Yet they carry an incredible amount of healing energy.
Why do people love this practice?
One of the reasons Ho’oponopono has become so popular is that it’s easy to use anywhere.
You don’t need special tools.
You don’t need a long ritual.
You don’t even need to say the words out loud.
You can repeat them quietly in your mind while walking, driving, cooking, or sitting with a cup of tea.
And what the practice does is gently help clear emotional weight, feelings like frustration, resentment, guilt or lingering upset.
Instead of pushing emotions away, Ho’oponopono helps our nervous system settle, become centred and grounded, and then the emotions don’t have such a grip.
How I use Ho’oponopono every day
For me, Ho’oponopono is something I come back to again and again.
If something is bothering me, if I’ve had a tricky conversation, or if I just feel a bit energetically “off”, I’ll repeat the phrases quietly to myself.
Sometimes I say them at night when I wake up at silly o'clock. Sometimes while driving.
I say them with my clients, whilst standing in the shop. And sometimes I simply sit quietly and repeat them slowly:
I’m sorry.
Please forgive me.
Thank you.
I love you.
It’s amazing how quickly our nervous system settles when you do this.
When to use it
You can practise Ho’oponopono for almost anything:
• When you’ve had a disagreement with someone
• When you feel upset or triggered
• When you’re holding onto something from the past
• When you want to clear your energy
• Or simply as a daily reset
Some people even use it as part of their morning or evening routine, repeating the phrases while taking a few slow breaths.
The beauty of simplicity
What I love about Ho’oponopono is that it reminds us that healing doesn’t always need to be complicated; it just needs remembering until it becomes a habit, which takes 28 days to create. I find that wearing a bracelet helps me remember, and this bracelet is perfect, as it's filled with Reiki Energy and each one has been created with Ho’oponopono energy. Amethyst Bracelet for calm
Sometimes it’s about returning to the basics:
Acknowledging.
Forgiving.
Being grateful.
Choosing love.
And when you start practising it regularly, you may notice something subtle but powerful…
Life begins to feel a little lighter.
Try it today
If you’d like to try Ho’oponopono today, simply pause for a moment.
Take a slow breath.
Bring to mind anything that feels heavy or unresolved.
Then gently repeat and youre saying it to the Universe:
I’m sorry
Please forgive me
Thank you
I love you
Say it slowly.
Say it with kindness.
You might be surprised by how peaceful it feels.
For daily affirmations, a ho’oponnoponno reminder and Ho’oponnoponno Meditation, check out our Soulspace App
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