reposted from The Business Of Me newsletter

Recently, I heard Marci Shimoff, best-selling author of the book, Love for No Reason, speak about love and forgiveness. I was amazed by my profound and positive experience using one of her practices for opening up the heart to love and forgiveness. It is called Ho’opononpono and is based on an ancient Kahuna Hawaiian tradition. It is very easy to do. You simply say to yourself four sentences: “I’m sorry, please forgive me, thank you, I love you.”

“I’m sorry, please forgive me, thank you, I love you.” That is all there is to it.

We all know that we cannot have an open heart when we’re holding any kind of resentment, grudges, or any ill feelings towards ourselves or others.

I’m sorry. Please forgive me. Thank you. I love you. Close your eyes and just repeat those lines a few times to yourself. No need to direct the words to anyone in particular.

Now just keep running those words through your head almost like a mantra, over and over again for several minutes. Sit as long as is comfortable and try to focus and embrace the feeling of forgiveness as it washes over you.

Tune into the frequency of acceptance and forgiveness. Really be mindful about forgiveness, not just with the intention of forgiving others but with the heartfelt purpose of first forgiving yourself. Bath yourself in the forgiveness, feel the Goddess of Compassion rise up inside you and see your heart opening, and notice what shifts in your world when you begin to embody that compassionate spirit.

After my first five minutes of trying this practice, my heart just melted. I truly felt huge compassion and real understanding, and most importantly, I felt it inside- directed towards myself.

Bring in the possibility of the power of this healing prayer into your world. You will quickly feel yourself releasing and feeling more love. I know that every person has access to this frequency. So I invite you to try it and see what happens when you are open to embracing forgiveness in the moment. Real change can be felt almost immediately and you may be surprised what you are easily able to let go of by practicing this exercise regularly.

Now is a good time to discover where you have the most need for forgiveness and compassion. What situation do you cringe or contract inside when you think about?   You may recognize that you have friendships that have been challenged and now you may feel the possibility of letting go of some of that resentment and hurt. It is really beautiful to just bring that energy of Ho’oponopono to those relationships. Perhaps right now you can just sit silently and say internally: I’m sorry. Please forgive me. Thank you. I love you. I’m sorry. Please forgive me. Thank you. I love you…for yourself, a person or situation. Try saying these four sentences while bringing your hand to your heart to allow for greater focus.

I am sorry, please forgive me, thank you, I love you. I am sorry, please forgive me, thank you, I love you.

I know how meaningful this practice of Ho’oponopono can be for every person. Practiced regularly, it is sure to create new openings for love and happiness.

Louise L. Hay has a wonderful statement about practicing daily rituals and forgiveness. She writes,

“Forgiveness is a gift to myself. I forgive, and I set myself free. Daily affirmations heal your life and change your whole world for the better. Trust life to hear and respond to your positive words.”