Lately, I’ve found much comfort in the natural world. Not that I ever didn’t, but my draw to Taoism is even more appreciative because of its simplicity and its emphasis upon the natural world. I’ve also been listening to interviews of shaman, Johnathan Hammond who especially has learned from Hawaiian shamans. His first principle of the importance of thoughts and beliefs is SO true and seems to be what life is trying to teach me in a big challenge I’ve faced lately.
Jonathan Hammond, in his book The Shaman’s Mind: Huna Wisdom to Change Your Life, outlines seven principles of Huna, a Hawaiian shamanic philosophy. These principles are universal truths rooted in indigenous wisdom, designed to guide individuals toward healing, empowerment, and harmony with the world.
Below are the seven principles of Huna as explored by Hammond:
Ike (EE-kay): The world is what you think it is.
This principle emphasizes that your perception shapes your reality. By changing your thoughts and beliefs, you can transform your experience of the world. Hammond highlights the importance of starving doubt and cultivating a positive mindset to align with this principle.
Kala (KAH-lah): There are no limits.
Kala teaches that anything is possible if you can figure out how to achieve it. It encourages flexibility and creativity, suggesting that limitations are often self-imposed and can be overcome by exploring new possibilities.
Makia (MAH-kee-ah): Energy flows where attention goes.
This principle underscores the power of focus. By directing your attention intentionally, you channel energy toward manifesting your desires.
Manawa (MAH-nah-wah): Now is the moment of power.
Manawa stresses the importance of living in the present moment, as it is the only time you can take action or create change.
Aloha (AH-loh-hah): To love is to be happy with.
Aloha is about love, compassion, and connection. It suggests that true happiness comes from loving and accepting yourself, others, and the world.
Mana (MAH-nah): All power comes from within.
This principle affirms that you have the inner strength and divine energy to create your reality. It encourages self-empowerment and trusting your own truth.
Pono (POH-noh): Effectiveness is the measure of truth.
Pono teaches that the validity of any belief or practice lies in its results. If something works for you and brings positive outcomes, it is true for you. This principle promotes flexibility, encouraging you to find what resonates and produces effective results in your life.
Hammond presents these principles as a practical framework for thinking like a shaman, emphasizing their universal applicability across cultures. The principles are not about transcending reality but harmonizing with it, aligning mind, body, and spirit to create a fulfilling life.
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