Demystifying Ho’oponopono: A Journey into the Depths of Consciousness

Journey with me, into the fascinating world of Ho’oponopono. At first glance, it might seem like a mystical practice shrouded in exotic, Hawaiian charm, yet at its core, it’s a straightforward, deeply profound approach to self-healing and personal transformation. Today, we’ll peel back the layers of this philosophical system, dissecting it piece by piece to offer you an in-depth understanding of how it works. Our exploration is not for the sake of intellectual curiosity alone; it is meant to shine a light on a path towards living in harmony with ourselves and the world.

Ho’oponopono’s model of the psyche lays a beautiful canvas for understanding consciousness. This ancient Hawaiian practice presents consciousness as three-tiered: the Conscious, the Subconscious, and the Superconscious. While each tier has its functions and roles, the crux of Ho’oponopono philosophy lies in the intricate dance between them.

The Conscious mind is the captain of your ship, your everyday decision-maker. It’s the part of your mind that chooses the clothes you wear, the food you eat, and the words you speak. But while the Conscious mind is busy making day-to-day decisions, the Subconscious mind holds the blueprint of your experiences, the storehouse of your past and its influences on the present. This part of your psyche is often likened to a child, filled with emotional baggage and karmic data. It’s a record keeper, an archivist of the many past experiences that have moulded you into the person you are today.

Last, but not least, the Superconscious mind represents the higher levels, an aspect so close to ‘Divinity’. According to Ho’oponopono, the Superconscious mind provides the guiding light, the divine wisdom that helps us navigate the rough seas of life. It’s the compass that always points towards growth, healing, and love, transcending the limitations of our physical existence.

Our understanding of consciousness in the context of Ho’oponopono is not far removed from scientific explorations of the mind, albeit from different angles. Indeed, Ho’oponopono offers a complementary perspective that augments the mathematical reality of science, filling in the gaps left by empirical observations and sterile hypotheses. It’s like a bridge, connecting the seen and the unseen, the physical and the metaphysical, the known and the unknown.

Let’s take a step back to 1920, when the Copenhagen interpretation of quantum physics suggested that a quantum system exists in a superposition of states until observed, collapsing into one definitive state upon measurement. Almost four decades later, Hugh Everett III proposed the many-worlds interpretation, positing that all possible outcomes of a quantum event occur in separate branches of a vast multiverse. Both interpretations hinge on the act of observation as the trigger for a split in reality or collapse of the wave function.

In Ho’oponopono, we take a different stance. We suggest that our relationship to either Divinity, or Data in the form of Karmic Memories, is what enables this observation to take place. Here, attention plays a pivotal role in manifesting quantum events in our lives.

Broadly speaking, there are two main types of attention within Ho’oponopono: polar attention (positive and negative) and non-polar attention (neutral). Polar attention, whether positive or negative, can attract or repel reality, while non-polar attention has the power to dissolve reality. Our aim within Ho’oponopono is to cultivate non-polar attention because ‘reality’ within its scientific understanding corresponds to making a vibration solid, and whatever appears as solid has the potential to cause attachment to it, and thus create karmic data which will affect our future.

To illustrate this point, consider the grand stage of a theatrical play. The lead actor, in the spotlight, is the Conscious mind, delivering the lines and acting out the plot. Hidden backstage is the Subconscious mind, the stage manager, holding onto the script that has been written by past experiences and memories. High up in the control room, adjusting the lights and pulling the strings, is the Superconscious mind or ‘Divinity’, directing the play from a place of higher wisdom.

When the play begins, the Conscious mind takes centre stage, making decisions based on the script provided by the Subconscious mind. But suppose the lead actor starts to fear the audience’s reaction, falling into a spiral of anxiety and insecurity. The performance becomes flawed, the lines delivered with less confidence. The play takes a turn, leading to an unhappy ending.

Here, the Conscious mind was guided by fear, a form of polar attention that created a negative outcome. But what if the lead actor, instead of succumbing to fear, acknowledged the nervousness, accepted it as a part of the performance, and redirected his focus towards delivering the best performance possible, towards the light controlled by the Divinity itself?

This shift in attention, this move from polar to non-polar attention, transforms the play, giving it a different ending. The lead actor’s performance becomes memorable, not because it was flawless, but because it was heartfelt, genuine, and authentic. This, dear reader, is the power of shifting attention from avoiding failure (which is karmic-data based) to focusing on what is needed (which is based in Divinity).

Ho’oponopono, then, is not a mystical, sensational practice. It’s a methodology that teaches us how to engage our consciousness in a more harmonious way, a practical, day-to-day application of spirituality that helps us navigate life with love, acceptance, and forgiveness. The Ho’oponopono method combines polar and non-polar attention to create a more wholesome reality.

1. The first step is to fully accept the current situation and any setbacks, dropping all resistance and fear as you embrace your Subconscious mind or inner-child and the emotions and concerns it has carried for you for so long.
2. Next, perceive how the current setback could be a blessing in disguise, understanding that events are neutral, can be viewed from different perspectives, and that you cannot possibly know every connection that has brought the current situation about.
3. Lastly, continually redirect your attention to Divinity through your Subconscious inner-child, aiming to reach a state of equanimity. Focus on your connection to wholeness and Divinity rather than setting goals, thereby creating a mutually desired reality.

As we conclude this exploration, remember that while it’s convenient to speak in terms of quantum theory or Ho’oponopono, neither are strictly true. They merely hold the shadow of truth within them. Our past experiences have brought us to this place, and it behoves us to take 100% responsibility for wherever we find ourselves, moving forward while creating as little new karmic data (either positive or negative) as possible.

In essence, Ho’oponopono is a humble and profound invitation to journey into the depths of your consciousness, to face and embrace your shadows with love, and to walk in alignment with your highest wisdom. By practicing Ho’oponopono, you’re not just healing your past; you’re sowing seeds of love and forgiveness for a brighter, more harmonious future.