The Ho’oponopono Healing Method: A Practical Guide to Clearing and Transformation
The updated form of Ho’oponopono, known as “Self I-Dentity through Ho’oponopono” (SITH), is truly an amazing spiritual healing technique. Dr. Joe Vitale even wrote his famous book Zero Limits based on it and later produced several programs to teach this method to more people.
Funny thing — recently, one of my relatives suggested something called a “hippo method” (he couldn’t pronounce it right!). What he actually meant was Ho’oponopono. It made me smile because not many of my friends or relatives really know what I do for a living or what my work is about.
Editor’s Note: This post was originally published on March 16, 2017 and was last updated in August 2025 to ensure accuracy and relevance.
I first wrote it around 7–8 years ago, and it’s truly amazing to see how more and more people are now discovering the Ho’oponopono method through YouTube and social media. Timeless tools like this are finally getting the recognition they deserve.
If you’re completely new to this process, it may sound strange at first — both because of its simplicity and because the stories associated with it can seem almost unbelievable.
Back in 2006, Joe Vitale came across an incredible story about a man named Dr. Ihaleakala Hew Len (unfortunately he has left us in the year 2022 at the age of 82), who reportedly healed an entire ward of mentally ill patients using this ancient Hawaiian method — without ever seeing them in person!
Sounds crazy, right? Especially since this ward was full of patients considered so dangerous that staff turnover was high and morale was low. Yet this psychologist changed all of their behaviors with what seems like a simple technique. How could that be possible? Well, I honestly don’t know — but Joe Vitale decided to investigate further, and that’s how Ho’oponopono started becoming so popular worldwide.
The Ho’oponopono Story of Dr. Hew Len and the Healing of Criminal Patients
The story behind this process is captivating, unusual, and deeply inspiring. In his book Zero Limits, Joe Vitale shares how he first heard about Dr. Ihaleakala Hew Len during a seminar he attended. This sparked a journey to connect with the therapist, which eventually led to a series of transformative conversations. In these discussions, Dr. Hew Len introduced Joe to powerful practices like the use of blue glass solar water for energetic cleansing, along with practical ways to apply the Self I-Dentity through Ho’oponopono (SITH) method.
As the story goes (beautifully recounted in this article by Clifford Jones), Dr. Hew Len was appointed to the Hawaii State Hospital in 1993, specifically to a high-security ward housing criminally insane patients. This unit had a reputation for being extremely volatile — even the staff avoided working there due to fear of violence.
Rather than working with patients directly, Dr. Hew Len practiced Ho’oponopono by reviewing their case files and photographs. Based on the principle that we are responsible for everything in our awareness, he worked on healing the emotions he felt while reading each profile — effectively cleansing the energy within himself as a means of healing others.
Over time, remarkable changes occurred: staff began returning to work, patients once restrained were able to walk freely, and many were taken off heavy medication. Eventually, the ward was cleared. This extraordinary case inspired Joe Vitale to meet Dr. Hew Len and led him to explore and share the method in his book Zero Limits.
Is Ho’oponopono the Most Effective Healing Method?
According to Dr. Joe Vitale, many common personal development techniques—like self-hypnosis, EFT, visualization, and affirmations—don’t always bring consistent results because they often involve the ego trying to control outcomes.
He explains that real transformation happens when you surrender control to a higher power and let the universe guide the process. This ultimate state of surrender is what he calls “Zero State.”
It’s part of a larger journey I’ve explored in my post on the 3 stages of spiritual evolution—starting from victim mindset to becoming a conscious creator, and finally reaching a place where your desires are fulfilled even before you ask.
In simple terms, everything in your life is shaped by your thoughts, beliefs, and past conditioning. Your subconscious mind holds the blueprint that creates your current reality. That’s why energy clearing methods work so well—they help dissolve the hidden patterns blocking your success.
Similarly, the Ho’oponopono process works by cleansing your subconscious so that you can experience life from a neutral, clear perspective—free from the walls created by limiting beliefs. Only from this space of inner clarity can you make decisions that are truly aligned with your highest good.
So, is Ho’oponopono the best method ever? That really depends on you. The best method is the one that resonates deeply and works for you personally. Ho’oponopono just happens to be a profoundly effective path for many people—including me.
What It Really Means to Take Full Responsibility (The Ho’oponopono Way)
If you haven’t read the book or don’t yet understand the core of this method, the idea of “taking full responsibility” might seem straightforward—but Ho’oponopono gives it a much deeper meaning.
You might be thinking, “Sure, I need to stop blaming others and take control of my life.” And while that’s true—and an essential part of avoiding the victim mindset—Ho’oponopono asks something even more radical from you.
This may sound strange, even unbelievable—but if you want to truly benefit from this process, you need to understand and accept this: You are responsible for everything you experience in your world.
Yes, everything. According to the teachings of Ho’oponopono and many spiritual traditions I’ve studied over the past decade, if something appears in your awareness, you are connected to it—and therefore, you have the power to heal it.
Think about that. Even an accident you witness on the street, or a news story that disturbs you, is—according to this philosophy—somehow linked to your internal world. You don’t need to understand how, just that it’s happening.
As Dr. Hew Len demonstrated, healing begins by taking full responsibility, even for things that don’t seem like your “fault.” And no, responsibility doesn’t mean blame. This is a common misunderstanding. You are not guilty—you are simply part of the energetic matrix where the issue exists. You don’t need to figure it all out to use the method, just like you don’t need to know how a car engine works to drive.
Here’s an example: if your child gets into a fight at school, you didn’t throw the punches—but it’s still your responsibility to help resolve it. Similarly, in Ho’oponopono, if a problem enters your awareness, you are called to clean and heal it—just like Dr. Hew Len did by working with patient records, not the patients themselves.
Think of it like a shared subconscious program running across all lives. By clearing it within yourself, you clear it from the collective too. This is one of the most profound aspects of subconscious healing techniques—and why Ho’oponopono is such a powerful method based on acceptance, love and forgiveness which can be beneficial for both personal and global transformation.
How to Practice the Updated 4-Step Cleaning Process
This technique is simple yet powerful. Whenever you’re faced with any kind of problem—whether it’s an external situation or an internal emotional disturbance—you can use this four-step process to clear the energy associated with it:
- I’m Sorry
Say this with sincerity, not guilt. You’re addressing the Divine or the Universe while acknowledging that, knowingly or unknowingly, something within you contributed to this issue entering your experience. - Please Forgive Me
You’re asking for forgiveness—not because the Divine holds you guilty, but because this request helps you release the memory or pattern. It’s an act of self-compassion and spiritual cleansing. - Thank You
Express gratitude for being made aware of what needed healing. Trust that the Universe is already doing its part. This step reflects your faith that everything is being taken care of. - I Love You
This is a clearing tool on its own. Saying it—especially when directed to the higher power or the issue itself—initiates healing. The feeling behind these words is what creates the shift.
You don’t need to understand how it works. Just use it. And when you feel guided to take action after the emotional clearing, do so. This process is not just for personal challenges—it works on anything that creates emotional heaviness or mental unrest.
I’ve personally used this process for years and have witnessed remarkable shifts—especially when I stay consistent. But I’ll admit, like many others, I’ve sometimes stopped using it when things improved, only to return later. That’s why I recommend setting gentle reminders or revisiting material around this method to keep it fresh in your awareness.
My Experience and Key Realization
Since I’m updating this in 2025, I want to share something close to my heart. I’ve been blogging since 2013, and in 2020, I was deeply immersed in using this method. I’ve long followed the teachings of Mabel Katz, a well-known teacher of this approach. To my surprise and delight, that year I received an email from her office referencing this very post—and eventually, I got to correspond with Mabel herself. She even invited me to review her book, Zero Frequency. That moment felt like a miracle to me—having my work recognized by someone I admired so deeply.
But here’s the important insight I gained over time: overusing this technique with strong emotional resistance to current life situations can backfire. It might sound paradoxical, but focusing too much on trying to “fix” the outside world instead of working on your emotional response can create inner friction. This process is about internal clearing—not forceful outer change. So please use it mindfully.
With consistent and genuine practice, this method not only resolves emotional and situational blocks—it can also open the doors to deep spiritual experiences. Joe Vitale even mentioned having Satori moments (sudden spiritual awakenings) through its use.
I hope you found this post insightful. I’d love to hear your thoughts and stories. Have you tried this method? Did it work for you? Drop your thoughts in the comment box below.
If you want to reach out privately, feel free to use my contact page. I’ll be happy to connect and help in any way I can.
If this article was valuable to you, please share it with others through your social media or community—it really helps spread the message.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best way to start using the Ho’oponopono technique?
Begin by practicing the four phrases—“I’m sorry. Please forgive me. Thank you. I love you”—whenever you experience emotional triggers or challenges. Consistency and sincerity matter more than perfection.
Can I use Ho’oponopono to heal others?
Yes. According to its philosophy, what you see in others exists in you. By cleaning your own energy around a situation, you indirectly support healing for everyone involved.
Is this method tied to any religion?
No, Ho’oponopono is a spiritual practice rooted in Hawaiian tradition but it is not religious. It can be used by anyone regardless of belief system.
Do I need to understand how Ho’oponopono works for it to be effective?
No, just like you don’t need to know how an engine works to drive a car. The method works through intention, emotion, and repetition. Trust in the process is key.
Is Ho’oponopono the same as affirmations?
Although Ho’oponopono uses repeated statements like “I love you” and “I’m sorry,” it’s very different from traditional affirmations. Unlike affirmations used in the Law of Attraction or self-image work—where you declare a desired reality—Ho’oponopono is based on acceptance, love, and forgiveness. It’s more about cleansing old emotional patterns than about imprinting new beliefs.
How often should I use this method?
As often as needed. Some people use it daily as a meditation or inner clearing ritual, while others apply it during emotional challenges or stress. Follow your intuition.
Why is Ho’oponopono not working for me?
This method may feel ineffective—or even counter intuitive—if you’re focused solely on changing external circumstances. Ho’oponopono is not about fixing the outer world directly; it’s about healing your inner reactions, emotions, and energy. When you shift your internal state, your external reality begins to transform naturally. Focus on your inner well-being rather than using the practice as a tool to force outcomes.
