Know Thyself

 

The great Greek philosopher, Socrates, instructed, “Know thyself”. Knowing oneself is an essential journey one needs to embark upon. The task of knowing oneself cannot be accomplished in a few days, weeks, months, or even years. Knowing oneself is a lifelong process and is often an arduous one.  

Why should one undertake the long and demanding journey of knowing oneself? Is knowing oneself important? Yes. Knowing oneself is perhaps the biggest of all gifts one can give oneself and others. Frederick Perls, one of the founders of Gestalt therapy, believed, “If we cannot understand ourselves, we can never hope to understand what we are doing, we can never hope to solve our problems, we can never hope to live rewarding lives”.

Knowing oneself helps one become aware of what one does, what one needs to do and what one should not do. Self-awareness leads to sound choices, from simple to complex ones. Further, knowing oneself enables the facing of daily challenges effectively and the finding of meaning and contentment in one’s life. Knowing oneself helps identify strengths and weaknesses, empowering one to handle life’s problems successfully. Sound awareness of one’s strengths and weaknesses will protect from draining energy and wasting time as one would know which strength to harness in a given situation. 

To find peace, one has to live and be who one is, which requires getting in touch with oneself. One of the most satisfying journeys is the journey within — knowing oneself. It is impossible to live a rewarding life and to enjoy peace without knowing oneself. 

 

Notes

1.     Socrates was a Greek philosopher from Athens who is credited as the founder of Western philosophy and among the first moral philosophers of the ethical tradition of thought (Wikipedia).

2.     Frederick Perls, 1973, The Gestalt Approach & Eye Witness to Therapy

Gift of Ourselves

            My previous blog, Gift of Giving, reflected the need to root our lives in the gift of giving if we are to experience contentment and peace. When we think of leading a life founded on the gift of giving, what might come to our mind immediately are our unique talents (Henry Nouwen). Talents are abilities to do certain things well. For example, one can be talented in repairing digital gadgets, giving powerful speeches or organising programs. It is wonderful to enjoy the talents of others and offer ours to them. However, Life-Guru, Nouwen says, “The real question is not ‘What can we offer each other?’ but ‘Who can we be for each other?’” It can be easier to offer help to others and then retract ourselves into our secure shells, wherein we do not really connect with others. On the contrary, we are invited to genuinely connect with others by offering the gift of ourselves. 

           In offering the gift of ourselves what we really offer others is our own joy of living, inner peace, silence, and our sense of wellbeing (Nouwen). When we offer the gift of ourselves, we live and share with others who we truly are. Living and sharing become one, without any dichotomy, selfishness, or mask. Offering the gift of ourselves is much deeper, powerful, and human than merely offering our talents. Living a life rooted in offering the gift of ourselves brings contentment and peace not only to ourselves but also to others. 

 

Ho’oponopono Prayer

 

 

’Ho’oponopono‘ is an ancient Hawaiian practice used to bring reconciliation, forgiveness, and healing within a group, family, or person. Hawaiians believe that the Ho’oponopono practice not only reconciles people in conflicts but also brings healing for physical ills resulting from conflicts, resentments, and hatred. Doctor Sanjay, HOD of the Psychology Department at Sacred Heart College, Tamilnadu, recently shared the efficacy of this prayer in the lives of clients and of people. He witnessed a lady in her forties, bedridden, and suffering for years due to osteoporosis, healed through the practice of Ho’oponopono to the point where she was able to move around by herself. This practice can be helpful regardless of whether our ills are physical or emotional.

‘Hoʻoponopono’ is defined in the Hawaiian Dictionary as: ‘To put to rights’ and ‘Mental cleansing: family conferences in which relationships were set right (hoʻoponopono) through prayer, discussion, confession, repentance, and mutual restitution and forgiveness’ (Wikipedia).

The mantra that Ho’oponopono uses is extremely simple and easy to practice. The mantra is:

“I’m sorry,

Please forgive me,

Thank you,

I love you.”

The first two phrases invite us to feel sorry for all the wrongs we have done and seek forgiveness from God, and the people we wronged, including ourselves. The last two phrases encourage us to thank and love God, the universe, others, and ourselves. This prayer can be recited a few times a day with awareness and in serenity. 

There are many benefits of practising Ho’oponopono. Ho’oponopono can help in reducing stress, anxiety, and depression. It can help in resolving negative emotions which emerge when one is hurt by others and improve the quality of relationships with people, living or dead. It boosts emotional, physical, and inner strength and enables one to live life with a clean heart and mind. In short, the Ho’oponopono practice removes emotional debris, heals the past, and fills the future with gratitude and hope.

 

Notes

1.     The experience of the lady who suffered due to osteoporosis was shared with a group at the Fountain College, Krishnagiri, by Dr Sanjay. 

2.     Hoʻoponopono

3.     Kuhu Gupta, The Power of Ho'oponopono & How 4 Simple Things Can Change Your Life

4.     The Power of Wholeness And Healing: Ho'oponopono

5.     A sample of Ho’oponopono prayer sung