A mysterious expression of Hawaiian origin –Ho’oponopono– gives name to an ancient problem-solving technique that gains followers in the world. Basically, it consists of using four healing expressions as a mantra: “I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I love you and thank you.” A volume by the writer and speaker Mabel Katz, 100 questions about Ho’oponopono (Aquari), attempts to bring Argentine readers closer to the fundamentals of this philosophy of repentance, forgiveness and transmutation that allows you to erase the “trash can” of negative feelings and thoughts to recover inner peace. As Katz tells LA NACION, “there are many ways to achieve it, but Ho’oponopono It’s the easiest I found. In Argentina, several celebrities walk this path: Pamela David, Nicole Neuman, Luis Novaresio, Marcela Tauro, Axel and Silvina Luna, among others. And the publishing industry echoes this international trend.
Katz, who left her CPA career behind, gives seminars and lectures around the country and the world based on an ancient socratic strategy: questions and answers. In his book, which costs $3,500, other formulas of Ho’oponopono, as well as anecdotes, teachings from his teacher (Dr. Ihaleakalá Hew Len), reflections, illustrations by Gladiz Naiza and a glossary. “God: When I mention the word God, I am not doing it in a religious context at all. For me, God is that part that we have inside that knows everything. Actually, he cannot be defined, he does not have a name, he is just an experience. The Universe, nature, a mind more intelligent than ours”, defines the author in his book, which he will present today at 6:30 p.m. at the Dain Usina Cultural bookstore (Nicaragua 4899) with free admission.
“Ho’oponopono it is an ancient art of problem solving and a different way of looking at problems -says Katz-. This means knowing that we are attracting everything that happens in our lives in some way, which makes us one hundred percent responsible, but not guilty, of memories that are repeated in our subconscious. I often explain it like this: life is the computer monitor and Ho’oponopono It is the key to erase, to transmute what we are ready to release. Just as I know that I am one hundred percent responsible, I can change it. That makes us freer.” In 2015, Katz received the Public Peace Prize for his initiatives.
The author has published books for children and young people, such as Maluhia, the happy city. “It is very important to raise awareness in children and youth,” he says. 100 questions about Ho’oponopono it arose from an approach of the publishing house; I told them that my gift is that of questions, I enjoy it and it is what I do in presentations, and I have question and answer classes. We were putting together the volume with the most ‘asked’ questions around the world”. The author has just arrived from Capilla del Monte, where she gave a sold-out conference.
What are the most common concerns of the “initiated” in the practice of Ho’oponopono? “The most common ailments of people are problems with children, health, relationships and money, but in Ho’oponopono we say that they have in common that they are all memories and that they are all opportunities to transmute and erase -says Katz-. If we did not have problems we could not grow, it is important to know that pain is inevitable, that we are going to have vicissitudes and challenges. Earth is a school and we come to learn from problems. But suffering is optional; the idea is not to get so hooked, to practice detachment and surrender without giving up, not to react so much and to choose to be at peace even if we have problems”. One of his mottos is “let go and trust”.
Asked about the criticism that “pseudosciences”, alternative therapies and other variants of magical thinking receive from a sector of the community around the world, Katz defines the Ho’oponopono as a spiritual practice. “And spirituality brings us peace, it helps us to reconnect, to know who we really are, to recover our power and to change our lives, knowing that everything we need is within us -he answers-. That there is not enough money or the perfect person to make us happy. In Japan I learned that spirituality is the foundation of any successful business; I would add that it is the basis of a successful, happy and peaceful life. Spirituality should not be confused with religion, I think they are even opposite terms. Spirituality makes us family, unites us”.
To Katz the Ho’oponopono it changed his life. “And she is changing it to many people around the world,” he says. I want to clarify that it may not be for everyone; it works for everyone but not everyone is willing to take responsibility. We are very addicted to blaming, complaining, wanting to be right, even suffering because it is accepted and what we have learned.
A book with the keys to Ho’oponopono, the Hawaiian mantra to solve problems that gains followers