Ho'oponopono and hypertension? Spirit, meet blood vessels

Some people doubt that spiritual or meditative processes can affect physical conditions.

Yet there are many studies supporting the adjunctive use of mindfulness-based stress reduction, for instance, in conditions such as chronic pain, heart disease, psoriasis, and hypertension -- not to mention conditions said to be 'emotional', like anxiety disorders.

Enter another area for consideration: Ho'oponopono, a spiritual practice developed and used in Hawaii for centuries.

Ho'oponopono, which means "to make right" or "to correct an error", is a step-by-step problem-solving approach to identify and relieve stress. Though it one learns to care appropriately for the self through a practice of repentance, forgiveness, and transmutation. This process helps one develop a better working relationship between the conscious mind, subconscious, and superconscious (mind, body, and spirit), increasing self-understanding and self-acceptance.

Self-Identity through Ho'oponopono is a modernized version of the process created by a kahuna healer named Morrnah Simeona, and is now taught worldwide through The Foundation of I.

Might this spiritual practice also have physical health effects?

Kikikipa Kretzer PhD et al recently published a pilot study, "Self-Identity through Ho'oponopono as adjunctive therapy for hypertension management," in Ethnicity and Disease. They wondered whether Self-Identity through Ho'oponopono along with standard medical therapy might better control hypertension than standard therapy alone.

Serving as their own controls, 23 adults over age 30 with hypertension or pre-hypertension participated in a half-day class on Self-Identity through Ho'oponopono. They learned how to apply this process in their everyday lives. Systolic blood pressure decreased after the intervention, averaging 11.86 mm Hg below pre-intervention levels. Diastolic blood pressure decreased by 5.44 mm Hg. These findings were both statisically and clinically significant.

Reading the actual research paper shows that blood pressures decreased more over the 1-2 months following the intervention, than on the class day itself. Intriguingly, blood pressures even increased slightly on the class day. Why?

I wondered if class participants might have experienced increased stress with new (and maybe unfamiliar) ideas about themselves and their health. This possible effect, mirrored in the blood pressure readings, does seem to have tapered with ongoing time and practice after the class.

How many of our blood pressures rise when someone or something first challenges our long-held assumptions? What if the world really is drastically different -- and much more complex -- than we'd like to believe? hmmm . . . .

Having such spiritual resources within us can be a great relief, once we get over the shock of having them. :-)

The study included measures of spirituality before and after the classes; these scores increased significantly after the intervention.

Also, 91% of study participants wanted more personal involvement in their healthcare treatments. Providing a simple way to deal with stress, Ho'oponopono could allow such involvement while also improving blood pressures.

In this study, Self-Identity through Ho'oponopono offered a low-cost, low-risk, and readily accessible intervention associated with lower blood pressures and improved feelings of well-being in participants.

Though some will say the study is "small" (only 23 subjects), it carries big implications. I'm hoping the authors will explore further -- and that people like us will stay tuned.

Finding the Healer Within

Recently I read a wonderful book, The Tennis Partner, by Abraham Verghese MD.

In it Verghese describes his friendship with a medical resident who plays beautiful tennis, is brilliant at patient care, and who fills a deep need for companionship during Verghese's marital separation. Unfortunately, the friend also turns out to be addicted to cocaine.

The author's ability to honestly share his own feelings is rare in medicine, since many of us try to run from emotions we might think are 'negative'. But Verghese expresses pain, jealousy, anger, and intense grief along with compassion, humor, and authentic love for patients, students, family, and work. Also he details minute, earthy characteristics of his surroundings and those who people his life. Through this kind of writing, we are present: seeing, hearing, feeling, smelling, and almost tasting everything.

I could not put the book down.

Writing a book like this takes courage, and yet it also must be like a rushing rapid at times; the story and experience must come out. The author is a witness to what flows through him or her. Not all are as honest with this as Verghese, though. When your soul writes the book, people can feel it; also, their own pain resonates to the surface to be re-experienced and dealt with. Perhaps healing can come about in this way too.

There is a Healer within each of us, which can awaken when others' harmonics call. Verghese wrote his book with purpose and intent, and it could certainly have served his healing from the loss of an intelligent, talented, yet vulnerable friend. However, it was also no accident that I picked up the book, and reacted to myself and ungrieved prior losses through it. With those, there was more acknowledgement and releasing to do.

I am grateful, Dr. Verghese, for your gift. I am grateful also to the Healer within all of us.

From Hopi Elders in Oraibi, to all

Today I received a reminder of something I have seen before, but which permeates more deeply because of my recent visit to Oraibi. To me there is similar music in both Hopi and ho'oponopono wisdom -- maybe others will hear it too.

Thanks to Dr. Dan Benor of Wholistic Healing Research for his email containing the following:

Wisdom from the Elders of the Hopi Nation

as we cross the threshold into a cycle of our journey of awakening.

"You have been telling the people that this is the Eleventh Hour.

Now you must go back and tell the people that this is the Hour.

And there are things to be considered:

Where are you living?

What are you doing?

What are your relationships?

Are you in right relation?

Where is your water?

Know your garden.

It is time to speak your Truth.

Create your community.

Be good to each other.

And do not look outside yourself for the leader.

This could be a good time!

There is a river flowing now very fast.

It is so great and swift that there are those who will be afraid.

They will try to hold on to the shore.

They will feel they are being torn apart, and they will suffer greatly.

Know the river has its destination.

The elders say we must let go of the shore, push off into the middle of the river, keep our eyes open, and our heads above the water.

See who is in there with you and celebrate.

At this time in history, we are to take nothing personally.

Least of all, ourselves.

For the moment that we do, our spiritual growth and journey comes to

a halt. The time of the lone wolf is over. Gather yourselves!

Banish the word struggle from your attitude and your vocabulary.

All that we do now must be done in a sacred manner

and in celebration.

We are the ones we've been waiting for."

~The Elders, Oraibi, Arizona Hopi Nation~