Basic Concepts
The basic tenets of Huna can be summarized in these words, "NO HURT: NO SIN," that is, the Huna concept of "sin" is doing something hurtful. "SERVE TO DESERVE," that is, be of help and service to others in order to feel worthy of good things in your life. A more concise statement is the Huna motto: The Hurtless and Helpful Life.
Huna Will Work for Everyone
Potentially, Huna principles will work for everyone. When the desired results are not obtained, Huna psychology reveals the causes of the failure. The best place to start learning the basics of Huna psychology is the Free Huna Online Newsletter available at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/huna/. It is an excellent basic text that will give you a clear statement of what Huna is and how to use it. A good, quick, and thorough introduction is Huna: The Ancient Religion of Positive Thinking, by William Glover.
For further study, the works of Max Freedom Long are recommended. The Secret Science at Work (1953) reviews the account of the discovery of the ancient coded secrets of the kahuna and gives suggestions for the use of Huna principles. The Secret Science Behind Miracles (1948) presents a more detailed account of the search and the method of discovery. These books and more available online at The Huna Store.
Is "Psychic" Ability Necessary?
It is not necessary to have "psychic" ability in order to use Huna. Such ability is natural to everyone and is developed to a greater extent by some, while in others such qualities are latent, or unrecognized, although used naturally. Because the principles of Huna psychology involve the study of universal laws and basic concepts, most people find that the intuition becomes stronger and "psychic" or "spiritual" awareness begins to develop. This awareness is the by-product of profound study in any area, whether astrology or physics, art or Tarot, biochemistry or any of the systems of psychology, including Huna.
You are More than a Body
Because you are conscious of your own existence, you realize that you are alive and that a process of thinking is taking place. You are aware of your body and its various functions, both voluntary and involuntary. The part of you that is all of these things-- the real you, so to speak-- enables you to be conscious of the fact that you exist as a spiritual or psychic "person" in addition to the body in which you seem to live. It is natural, therefore, to speak of YOU and YOUR BODY as two parts, whether they are actually separate or not.
Conscious and Subconscious Minds
At times a person speaks of "having a little talk with himself" in order to make up his mind about a decision or to work up courage for something very difficult or frightening. "I told myself there was nothing to worry about," we might say. Or, in trying to make a decision, we have a little conversation "with ourselves" and mentally list the pros and cons of the alternatives. It is as if one part of us argues for one side, while a second part comes up with arguments for the other!
Whether we consider that there are really two of us inside our minds, or two functions of one mind, at least it seems for the moment that two separate minds exist. At the time the function of the mind is dual and not single. Since most psychological systems recognize a subconscious part of the mind, it is natural to state that there are two minds or psychic entities. For the purpose of discussing the psyche, we may speak of two minds or two selves: the conscious-mind self and the subconscious-mind self.
It is the conscious mind which the kahuna called "uhane," or the middle self, the part of man that is conscious of his own existence and has the ability to reason. The subconscious mind was "unihipili," or the inner self. Max used the term "low self". This is the one we "have a talk with." The term "low" has no reference to rank or importance, but only to the fact that it is "below" the level of consciousness (thus the term sub-conscious) and has its bodily center in the solar plexus, below the consciousness centered in the head. Remember that the function of this part of you is very important and the low or basic self has a very large part to play in your life.
There is Yet a Third Part of Man
The third part is the High Self-- called by the kahuna the name "Aumakua." This is sometimes called the "superconscious," but writers unfamiliar with Huna psychology may use that word to designate the subconscious. The High Self is the "older, utterly trustworthy, parental spirit." The High Self may, in religious terms, be called a sort of guardian angel who helps us when requested to do so, but does not necessarily interfere unless asked to help. However the concept of "God" or deity was considered to be above the level of High Self, which is an integral part of the human personality. It is our divine connection with God. It is the High Self, using whatever higher resources which may be required, that brings all desired conditions into reality.
The Triangle of Trinity
The symbol of the triangle suggests that once all three selves are working together with perfect union and harmony, we have perfect communication among the three selves. Even though we often speak of separate functions of the individual three selves, remember that they must always work together to function effectively. When we refer to an individual self, we must always include the others in proper relation to that part. It is at this stage of harmony that there is "direct" contact from the middle self to the High Self, because all three are a harmonious three-self team. This is the perfect or whole person.
All three selves have their proper part to play in the life of each of us, and they must work together to accomplish whatever is desired, whether solving a problem in the present, or trying to work for a better future. When the three selves work harmoniously together, things can happen that may appear to be "miracles." But when you know the proper and normal functions of the three selves and how they work together, the miracles will seem to be in no way "supernatural."
The ideal to which we aspire is to become a complete person, with all parts united. As Max Freedom Long expressed it: "Our task as middle selves is primarily that of learning to work consciously and properly with both the low [inner] self and the High Self."
"Aka" or Shadowy Bodies
There is an original blueprint or pattern, printed on transparent material, which fits each of the three selves in every detail. Compare this with the transparent overlays used in encyclopedias to show the various skeletal, muscular, or nervous systems of the physical body. The kahuna of ancient Hawaii talked of the three selves of man, with their exact duplicates, which they referred to as aka-bodies. This aka-substance formed a sort of invisible pattern or "aura" around each of the three selves, keeping the blueprint intact, but capable of changing shapes temporarily to form a connecting thread between the basic self, the middle self, and the High Self.
Since aka has a sticky quality and stretches without breaking, when contact is made between two persons, a long, sticky thread is drawn out between the two, like a silver spider-web, and the connection between them remains. Further contacts add other aka-threads and these are braided together into an aka-cord, resulting in strong rapport between the two persons. Such an aka-cord must be kept strongly braided between the inner self and the middle self, and between the inner self and the High Self, in order for the three to work harmoniously together.
Mana, or Vital Force
The kahuna recognized the magnetic and the opposite, repelling nature of vital force, or "mana," but unfortunately left no detailed exposition on the subject. They knew the force as a thing which had to do with all thought processes and bodily activities. The life force was the essence of life itself. The kahuna symbol for this life-force was water. Water flows and so does vital force. Water fills things. So does the vital force. Water may leak away and so may vital force. All thinking involves an electrical-like activity of Mana. The word "mana-o" means "thinking," the "o" added to show that the process is one of using Mana to produce thought. As each thought is formed it is given its aka body and is fastened by a thread of the same substance to thoughts which came before it ("association of ideas" in terms of modern psychology).
Mana is taken from the food and air by the inner self and is stored in its aka-body, but it is shared with the middle self and with the High Self. The Mana, when used as the life-force of the middle self is changed in some subtle way. The kahuna of old symbolized this as a dividing of the basic Mana into two kinds, and called it Mana-Mana, indicating that it was "doubled" in power, so that it could be used by the middle self to direct the inner self. This is the force we know vaguely in modern psychology as "the will." It is seldom used in its full strength, and so the inner self gets out of hand or flits from one activity to another, without carrying out any suggestion or command fully.
Accumulating a Surcharge of Mana
We know that taking a slow, deep breath will give us an extra amount of energy. We can use certain techniques combined with specific mental images to accumulate a surcharge-- an extra large and powerful charge-- of vital force any time we need it. This assumes that we are in reasonably good health and are not weakened by physical or emotional trauma. We can use these surcharges of Mana in several very valuable ways, particularly in healing ourselves and others, and in making a Prayer-Action that will have real power.
An Action of the Mind
The kahuna believed that by an action of the mind a person adds to the amount of Mana created from food and air. The extraction process is quickened. This theory is supported by our physiologists, who have found that when we digest food it is not all used at once, but is changed to blood sugar, or glycogen, and oxidized with oxygen from the air we breath to give us such amounts of force and energy as we may need for the work we happen to do. The basic self, who tends to all such matters, can at any time begin to take in more air and cause more blood sugar to be burned to create more of that strange chemically-manufactured force we call Mana. The inner self learns to do this easily in most cases. By combining the Mana from food and air with additional Mana from unlimited cosmic sources, we can always have the power we need to accomplish whatever we truly and justly desire.
The accumulation of a surcharge of vital force is accomplished simply by explaining to the inner self within just what it is to do and then asking it to do it. To help the inner self, we can start breathing more deeply, add the thought of accumulating a large surcharge of Mana, and the process begins.
The Mana Rises Like a Fountain
The kahuna used the symbol of water for Mana. When he wished to accumulate a surcharge, be breathed deeply and visualized Mana rising like water rising in a fountain, higher and higher until it overflowed. The body is pictured as the fountain and the water is the Mana. Another image that can be used is filling a sphere with light and mentally seeing your entire body surrounded by this sphere and fully illuminated.
An Exercise
Exercise or any form of physical exertion always starts the inner self manufacturing more Mana, otherwise we would use up what we have in a few minutes and would begin to feel faint. Athletes know that they can go only so far on their first wind, which is the charge of Mana they happen to have in their body and aka-body at the start. Then in a short time they get a fresh supply of energy (the second wind) and can then keep going steadily and at top speed. It is important to use the surcharge, over and above the basic physical energy required to maintain health and daily activity, in working toward a specific goal, such as healing or solving a social problem.
Or a Mental Attitude
Instead of exercising, we can assume the mental attitude of getting set to run a race. We hold the picture in mind of getting ready to run, we breathe more rapidly and tense up the muscles a little. The inner self will begin to create the desired vital force.
A Sense of Well-Being
Persons with a low normal charge-level of vital force have found that they can sense the additional surge of Mana after taking on an extra supply. It adds to the sense of well-being, of physical strength and endurance, of will and determination, and it sharpens the mind, makes memorization faster and easier, and the senses more acute. This can easily be tested by checking the clearer vision or sharper memory after a surcharge of vital force.
Mana and Miracles
The point that is most important when considering Mana or vital force is that when you have learned to accumulate a surcharge, it is possible to use it, with the help of the High Self, to perform "miracles," which range all the way from slow and simple healing to miraculous changes in bodily tissue and even the fabric of the future. The High Self contacts us of its own accord in our sleep, making use of the connecting aka-cord. Our thoughts of the day, with our plans, hopes, fears, loves, and hates, are examined, taken as duplicate thought-forms, and at the same time vital force is taken. This vital force is stepped up to the high "voltage" and is used by the High Self to construct a shadowy body which will materialize your future. Such though-forms were described by the kahuna as "seeds" and were symbolized as seeds, which were vitalized by the High Self and grew into actualities of the future.
Let the Rain of Blessings Fall
The High Self not only takes from us the vital force it needs, but returns a compensating force to us. This is vital to our health and well-being. This return can be pictured as a shower of Mana falling from the up-welled fountain, as a gentle mist, a "rain of blessings." Thus the three-fold communication symbolized by the triangle is complete. After consciously contacting the High Self for the purpose of sending a gift of Mana and also presenting a "prayer-picture," the kahuna ended his prayer with these words: " The prayer takes its flight. Let the rain of blessings fall."
Daily contact and guidance in all of our lives may be had from the High Self as our Divine Connection-- but only if requested. All the more reason to discover for yourself the basic concepts of Huna and how they may be put to practical use in your own life-- the three selves and their functions as a unified team and the importance of understanding how Mana, the life force, can be increased and utilized to bring about a better life now and for the future.
Adapted from Huna Psychology: An Introduction by Dr. E. Otha Wingo
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1 comment:
Just came across your blog and I'm fascinated. I try to live by many of the same ideals as you've mentioned here and I'll definitely be back to read more about Huna!
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