A walk-through of Ho'oponopono using example of shoulder bursitis and shouldering responsibility

[Context: Workshop participants share their reactions thus far to the readings and exercises and to the keeping of an optional journal on "What Touches Us". Particularly any reaction that are quite positive or quite negative. Workshop participants also shared if a relative, friend, or co-worker, someone in fairly close proximity in intimacy--or vice-versa someone that annoys them yet is in close enough proximity that they cannot avoid being involved--has had a recent diagnosis of an illness, or any chronic illnesses. The following is briefly edited from the workshop email to protect privacy:]

Whatever you shared and thought is what's vivid for you--so, what I'll address over the next few days. Basically, wanted to gauge what your reactions are, as often very intense (either admiring or annoying) spectrum of reactions shows us what we've yet to see and accept unconditionally accept about ourselves--and, thus the world. Usually these projections are things that are either too wonderful or too horrible for us to accept as part of ourselves, too.

So let's with what you shared about your friend's diagnosis. I'd like give you a few resources to look up symbolism, and see what it seems a heart murmur might indicate for you. Yes, it is probably a message for your friend too, but the focal point is that of yourself. There is no need to share this with your friend.

So I'll give you an example, as again I'm letting you see what the heart murmur might tell you for yourself first. Please respond with what you think the heart murmur is telling you about you.

There are other sources for symbolism, but Louise Hay typically seems to be pretty on target. I don't usually use her affirmations myself, as I take the symbolism and then use Ho'oponopono on it. Over time, I'll share a few more symbolism resources, but for simplicity take note of the two below as they will be something you can refer to after this online workshop is over.

Again, these are not the causes of the illness as the cause is basically lack of harmony in the world-at-large starting with your disharmony (and never "them"). These are the messages behind the illness that may provide a clue to restoring harmony in the present time to what Ho'oponopono refers to as the Zero Point.

HEAL YOUR BODY HEAL YOUR LIFE, by Louise Hay
http://www.docstoc.com/docs/8755001/Bodytalk---Louise-L-Hay---Heal-Your-Body

and as well, a shorter list, http://www.paganspath.com/healing/ailments.htm

and yet another chart, http://www.squidoo.com/spiritualmeaning

Look at all lists for clues.

Sometimes you have to really think through the symbolism. I'll give you an example. A friend shared on Facebook that he might not be able to go on vacation which he enthusiastically looks forward to attending each year, and is dealing with heavy-duty (I think he is using steroids for pain and inflammation) shoulder bursitis. Unfortunately, he didn't share which shoulder. It definitely does make a difference as to left or right as they indicate inner masculine/feminine as well as mother/father issues. But we'll ignore the left/right for now. But in general if you notice someone around you -- family, friends, co-workers etc have an accident or injury or illness, make note if it is left or right side (when applicable).

So I look up BURSITIS in the list:

Bursitis -- Repressed anger. Wanting to hit someone. Affirmation: "Love relaxes and releases all unlike itself."

So now going further (using my intuition as sometimes you can just tell by language/phrasing what body parts correspond to which blocks as I was having trouble finding "shoulder" when I Googled the metaphysical message) could I have anger at shouldering too much? Oh yes. I was angry with a housemate who was being destructive and "acting out" to the other housemates and myself and also to physical property. They left the other housemates' with the burden of shouldering the responsibility.

Plus, in general, and not pointed to anyone specifically, I do feel anger at shouldering so much responsibility on a global emotional body level (not as if I'm the only person doing this type of work by any means, but it does lighten up the entire universe when anyone does this emotional clearing work), and not feeling appreciated for it. The "repressed anger" is basically underlining the fact that it feels like I would not be a nice person if I were to get angry enough that I'd actually wish to hit someone--though in reality, yes, I definitely was that angry even if I'm not "supposed" to be. ("Supposed" to be I realize is other people's perceptions and expections.)

Later, I was stumped why I could not find Shoulder in list of illnesses. Well, turns out I had accidentally Googled: "shoulding Louise Hay" when I meant to type "shoulder Louise Hay" -- the Freudian slip told me everything.

Should-ing is an illness too that blocks our joy. I should..., you should..., they should... This is basically the key to all shoulder problems. (And in writing this up for the blog, recalled an acquaintenance in another city that just suffered from an assault that injured both her shoulders.)

Shoulder Problems -- Carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders. Feeling like life is a burden.

"Feeling like life is a burden" is a far cry from joy!

So now I've seen and identified it. I take some quite time to accept it (by the way, this is not meant to stir up self-guilt or self-blame for feeling the anger as that would be just to stack up more divisiveness upon a sense of division). The point is self-acceptance and awareness of everything, SEEING NOT JUDGING.

Then, next step is to do Ho'oponopono on the issue that appears to be out there ("out there" being my friend's bursitis), by mentalling or verbally saying:

"I love you. I release you. I love you. I am sorry. I love you..." [There are thousands of possible variations... I do this more or less silently, more like the intention of acceptance is the key.]

Try this for the heart murmur. And let me know how it goes. Also, if it seems appropriate [some workshop participants are already familiar with Byron Katie's The Work which is also based on reclaiming reflections], you can also do Byron Katie's THE WORK too on it. For instance, on the bursitis of the shoulder tied to anger with my housemate: "They should not have caused havoc in the house." TURN-AROUND: "My thoughts create havoc." (Much truer.) "They should take responsibility for cleaning up." TURN-AROUND: "I should take responsibility for my thoughts, and for my projections and clean up." (Yep, that feels true-- and is actually basis of Ho'oponopono and this course!).

It does seem like this takes a lot of time, however, over time it really does get to point that really does only take a few moments to pinpoint what's "out there", see what it indicates within us, and clear it. If it's a biggie, like the Gulf oil spill, it might take a few days or weeks to have the willingness to tackle it (at least that was so in my case!), but it's not really about time as much as willingness, sincerity, and acceptance. It is pretty instantaneous. And yes, my friend was able to go on his vacation after all.

Well, this is a long one, and seems a bit skewed on the work/process and no play direction (we'll rectify that in future soon!). Plus letting you know I'll share "how" or "why" Ho'oponopono works gradually over the next few weeks. Today just wanted to outline the overall steps.