ho'oponopono, to make things right

Ho'oponopono is an ancient Hawaiian practice for reconciliation and forgiveness that means "to make right" or "to make things right". It is a process of self-reflection and cleansing, often involving the repetition of four phrases: "I am sorry," "Please forgive me," "Thank you," and "I love you". The practice is based on the belief that one is 100% responsible for their own reality, and by healing one's own inner state, they can help clear negative patterns and heal relationships with others.  

Traditional vs. modern practice

• Traditional:

  Historically, Ho'oponopono was a family or community ritual led by a traditional healer (kahuna lapa'au) to resolve conflicts. It involved open expression of feelings, repentance, forgiveness, and a shared feast to symbolise the release of tension. 

• Modern:

  In contemporary times, it has evolved into a more individual practice, often used as a meditation or prayer. The focus is on the internal process of taking responsibility and repeating the four phrases to cleanse one's consciousness. 

  
  

Core principles

• Responsibility:

  The practice is built on the idea that you are responsible for everything in your life, including your reactions and perceptions of external events.

• Unity:

  It is founded on the belief that there is an unbreakable connection between all things, so that when you correct your own inner "errors," you contribute to the cleansing of the collective consciousness. 

The four phrases

• "I'm sorry":

  Acknowledges the presence of negative imprints or problems in your life. 

• "Please forgive me":

  Asks for forgiveness for being unaware of how your internal state may have contributed to the situation. 

• "Thank you":

  Expresses gratitude for the opportunity to release these imprints and the process of cleaning them. 

• "I love you":

  Expresses love for yourself, others, and the divine, which helps transmute negative energy. 

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Ho'oponopono is explained in a book Zero Limits: The Secret Hawaiian System for Wealth, Health, Peace, and More.

Core Idea: The book explores the ancient Hawaiian practice of Ho’oponopono, a method for achieving healing, forgiveness, and transformation. The main idea is that you are 100% responsible for everything that happens in your life — not just your actions, but even the events, people, and problems you encounter. By cleaning your subconscious memories and limiting beliefs, you can transform your outer world.

Dr The Philosophy Dr. Hew Len, a Hawaiian therapist, famously healed an entire ward of criminally insane patients — without ever meeting them in person. He did this by using Ho’oponopono internally: instead of trying to fix the patients, he “cleaned” the parts of himself that created them in his experience. The practice involves repeating four simple phrases: “I’m sorry. Please forgive me. Thank you. I love you.” These are directed inwardly — to yourself, to your memories, or to the Divine — as a way of clearing subconscious negativity.

Key Concepts

1. Total Responsibility: Everything you perceive is a reflection of your internal state.

2. Cleaning: Repeating the Ho’oponopono phrases purifies your subconscious mind.

3. Zero State: When your mind is clear of memories, fears, and judgments, you reach “zero limits” — a state of pure inspiration and connection to the Divine.

4. Inspiration over Intention: Instead of trying to control outcomes, you act from divine inspiration that arises when you’re “clean.”

Purpose of the Book: Vitale’s goal is to show how this spiritual practice can improve all areas of life — health, relationships, business, and finances — by removing mental and emotional blocks that limit us.

A Chapter-by-Chapter Summary

Chapter 1: The Secret of Responsibility Dr. Hew Len’s central teaching: “You are 100% responsible for everything that you experience.” This doesn’t mean blame — it means whatever appears in your life is a reflection of your inner programming. To change the outer world, you must first clean the inner one.

Chapter 2: The process is internal, and done by saying: “I’m sorry. Please forgive me. Thank you. I love you.” Repeating these phrases to the Divine (or to yourself) clears memories and energies that cause problems.

Chapter 3: The Story of Healing Dr. Hew Len’s story is detailed — how he reviewed patient files, and instead of judging, he looked within himself and healed the part of him that created that reality. As he “cleaned,” the patients improved, the ward calmed, and eventually the hospital closed.

Chapter 4: The Power of Cleaning Cleaning = clearing old memories and beliefs that keep replaying in your subconscious. The goal is to return to the “zero state” — a place of no limits, no fear, no memory. From that state, you act through divine inspiration instead of habit or ego.

Chapter 5: From Intention to Inspiration Vitale contrasts intention (trying to control life through willpower) with inspiration (acting from divine guidance that arises when you’re at zero). When you’re clean, you don’t chase goals — you’re moved by what feels aligned.

Chapter 6: Real-Life Miracles Vitale shares stories of people using Ho’oponopono for money, relationships, creativity, and health — often seeing results simply by practicing “cleaning” regularly.

Chapter 7: Beyond Limits The book closes with the idea that you can live from “zero limits” — a state of peace, flow, and connection.

Life becomes effortless when you continuously clean whatever arises in your experience.

How to Practice Ho’oponopono

1. Recognize the issue Notice anything in your life that feels wrong — fear, pain, conflict, confusion.

2. Acknowledge responsibility Say to yourself: “Whatever this is, it’s something in me that needs healing.”

3. Repeat the 4 phrases Quietly or aloud, with feeling and sincerity:  “I’m sorry.”  “Please forgive me.”  “Thank you.”  “I love you.” You don’t need to direct them at anyone. You’re addressing the Divine, your inner self, or the memory causing the experience.

4. Let go of control. You don’t need to visualise or expect a certain outcome. Just clean — the Divine will handle the rest.

5. Practice often You can do it anytime — while driving, working, or even before sleep. The more you do it, the more your subconscious “cleans,” leading to peace and clarity.  

Key Takeaway: “Peace begins with me.” By healing yourself, you heal your experience of the world.

A deeper dive into Zero Limits  

Overview: What Zero Limits Is Really About. At its heart, Zero Limits is about the Hawaiian healing method of Ho’oponopono, which means “to make right” or “to correct an error.” Joe Vitale presents it as a spiritual technology for erasing unconscious programming — the memories, beliefs, and emotions that unconsciously shape your reality. When these memories are cleared, you return to your “Zero State” — pure consciousness, free from limitation. From that place, inspiration flows directly from the Divine.

Core Teachings in More Depth

1. Total Responsibility “You are 100 percent responsible for everything you experience — simply because you are experiencing it.” This means: If you notice conflict, illness, lack, or anger — it’s showing up in your awareness because something in your subconscious needs cleansing. You’re not to blame — but you are responsible for cleaning your perception.

2. Cleaning (The Ho’oponopono Process) Cleaning is a spiritual reset button. You say: “I’m sorry. Please forgive me. Thank you. I love you.” These phrases are directed inwardly — to the Divine within you — as a way to purify whatever memory or data is creating your current situation. The four phrases mean: • I’m sorry — for the unconscious memories causing this. • Please forgive me — for allowing them to replay in me. • Thank you — for the opportunity to cleanse. • I love you — to reconnect with Divinity and heal. “When you say ‘I love you,’ it transmutes the stuck energy. ‘I’m sorry’ and ‘Please forgive me’ cleanse it. ‘Thank you’ resets you to the Zero State.”

3. The Zero State The “Zero State” is the ultimate goal — a condition of no memory, no limits, where your mind is clear and open to divine inspiration. “Zero is the state of pure being. It’s where there are no programs, no beliefs, no memories — only peace, freedom, and love.” From Zero, life flows effortlessly. You don’t plan or force; you listen and respond.

4. Inspiration vs. Intention Vitale contrasts intention (ego-based goals) with inspiration (Divine guidance). • Intention: “I want to attract $10,000.” • Inspiration: “I feel called to start this project — and everything flows naturally.” “At Zero, you don’t have to intend anything. You receive. You are inspired. You act on that inspiration, and miracles happen.”

5. Cleaning as a Way of Life Dr. Hew Len describes “cleaning” as a moment-by-moment practice — not something you do once, but a continual process of returning to Zero. He says even when he gives talks, meets people, or drives, he keeps repeating the cleaning phrases silently. “My job is to clean. I don’t know what’s right for anyone. I just clean whatever shows up, and trust that Divinity will take care of the rest.”

Quotes:

On Responsibility and Healing

• “When you take total responsibility for your life, everything you see, hear, taste, touch, or in any way experience is your responsibility because it is in your life.”

• “Problems are just memories replaying in the subconscious mind. They are opportunities to be set free.”

• “Peace doesn’t come from understanding; it comes from cleaning.”

On Love and Connection

• “The simplest and most powerful tool for healing is to say: ‘I love you.’”

• “Love is the only commandment. When you say ‘I love you,’ you reconnect to the Divine.”

• “At Zero, you are love. There’s nothing to forgive because there’s nothing wrong.”  

On Letting Go

• “You don’t need to know what’s causing your problem. You only need to notice it and clean it.”

• “Your only task is to keep cleaning. The Divine knows what to do next.”

On Miracles

• “When you are at Zero, you automatically attract what is perfect for you. You don’t have to do it; it comes to you.” “You don’t create miracles. You allow them.”

A Bit About Dr. Hew Len’s Hospital Story One of the most astonishing parts of the book: Dr. Hew Len worked at the Hawaii State Hospital in a ward for the criminally insane. The environment was chaotic — patients were violent, staff turnover was high. Without seeing patients directly, Dr. Hew Len reviewed each file, looked inward, and began cleaning on what in him created that person’s pain. Over time: • Patients began calming down. • Restraints were no longer needed. • Staff morale improved. • Eventually, the ward closed because all patients were healed or transferred. Dr. Hew Len never “treated” them — he cleaned himself. “I was simply healing the part of me that created them. When I healed that part of me, they healed.”

The Essence of the Book “You don’t have to understand how it works. You just have to do it.” “The point of life is to be restored back to love — moment by moment.” Vitale’s message is that Ho’oponopono is not about controlling life but about surrendering to a greater intelligence. As you clean, the Divine flows through you, bringing peace, guidance, and miracles.

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