The Little Workbook – Ho’oponopono

“I’m sorry. Please forgive me. Thank you. I love you.” These four phrases form the core of the modern form of Hoʻoponopono, which Maria-Elisa Hurtado-Graciet introduces in this little workbook. They are intended to help you let go of blame, reflect on your own part in a situation and rediscover inner peace.

Traditional Hawaiian Hoʻoponopono is a communal process of clarification and reconciliation within families. This booklet draws on a later, simplified interpretation that can be integrated into everyday life as a personal practice. Brief explanations, stories, rituals and easy-to-follow exercises invite you to examine your own perspective, to accept, to forgive and to rediscover your personal scope for action.

The points of contact with Non-Violent Communication lie primarily in questioning hasty accusations and taking responsibility for managing one’s own feelings. That said, Hoʻoponopono and NVC are distinct approaches with different origins and methods.

Handwritten passages and numerous drawings by Jean Augagneur lend the booklet a personal, playful character. It is ideal as a concise introduction and as a companion that you can pick up time and again.

By Maria-Elisa Hurtado-Graciet, illustrated by Jean Augagneur and translated from the French by Claudia Seele-Nyima. Published by Trinity Verlag, 64 pages.