Huna – Discover the Unique Hawaiian System of Values
Hawaiian Huna – an Ancient System of Knowledge and Values
There are still many indigenous peoples around the world who, unlike us, have not lost their original connection with nature. One such ethnographic group is the inhabitants of Hawaii, whose representatives live by the principles of Huna. It’s time to delve into this fascinating system of values, which continues to captivate researchers and New Age enthusiasts.
Where did Huna come from in the modern world?
It was the year 1917 when Max Freedom Long, an American representative of the New Age movement, traveled to Hawaii, where he took up a job at an elementary school. It was there that he became interested in the beliefs and religious practices of the indigenous people. He sought to delve into the traditions of the priests called kahuna, as well as their more contemporary followers.
Long stayed in Hawaii until 1931, but over those long years, he failed to find answers to his questions. The natives were reluctant to share their secrets with the newcomer. Five years after leaving the islands, when Long wrote a book about his Hawaiian experiences, he named the belief system with the word Huna, which in the local language means “secret.”
This means that the modern name Huna does not have its counterpart in Hawaiian tradition. However, today we know that this system was formerly called Ho’omana, where ho’o means “to create,” and mana is the life force energy similar to Chinese chi. Thus, at the core of Hawaiian beliefs lies the creation and strengthening of vital energy.
What is Huna and what are its fundamentals?
The system of values known today as Huna is an ancient belief related to the possibility of accessing higher knowledge within ourselves. Achieving this goal is possible if there is complete energetic harmony within our “self.” Healing occurs when both the physical and spiritual aspects of our lives are strengthened simultaneously.
Huna is based on seven basic principles, fulfillment of which allows for achieving spiritual-physical balance:
- IKE – the world is what you think it is.
- KALA – there are no limits, everything is possible.
- MAKIA – energy flows where attention goes.
- MANAWA – the moment of power is now.
- ALOHA – to love is to be happy.
- MANA – all power comes from within.
- PONO – effectiveness is the measure of truth.
The above principles of Huna are attributed to Serge Kahili King, the founder of The Aloha Project. This organization aims to unite people connected with Hawaiian culture, spirituality, and medicine.
Hawaiian Beliefs in Our Daily Lives
Exploring the principles of the Huna system, it’s worth examining the basics of these beliefs. Central to the interests of Hawaiian priests is often the concept of consciousness. It is worth noting that these teachings to some extent correlate with the Freudian view of psychoanalysis.
It can be said that Hawaiians have their own Sigmund Freud, and that is the great Kahuna priest, Daddy Bray. He stated that the true lesson of life is the journey from unconsciousness through consciousness until a higher level of consciousness is achieved. The return journey is mastery of Kahuna priesthood. What does this actually mean?
Bray’s philosophy is worth explaining with a practical example. Each of us knows people who focus solely on the physicality of their bodies in life. According to the Kahuna, these individuals are not very developed in terms of emotions and intellect.
Another group of people are those who remain in some contact with physicality and emotions, but lack intelligence.
The third group consists of those who focus on intelligence and physicality but struggle with their own emotions.
The physical side of our bodies is the most developed in the world. Only in selected parts of the globe can we talk about the emotional or intellectual body’s maturity.
Another aspect of life is the spiritual layer. Achieving it is only possible through reaching a higher level of consciousness. Proper functioning of all bodies is a characteristic reserved only for great thinkers and healers of our time.
However, it is worth noting that Huna beliefs allow for the possibility of human development throughout their life journey. This means that with age and acquired experience, one can open and activate further spheres of life. There is no need to limit oneself only to primitive physicality when emotional, intellectual, and eventually spiritual sides of development are achievable.
How does Kahuna knowledge fit into traditional belief systems?
On many levels, the belief system practiced by Kahuna priests resembles other traditional shamanic philosophies. Huna has its counterparts among numerous indigenous peoples scattered around the world. Although they differ from each other, a common element of most of them is a unique connection with nature and human consciousness.
This philosophy may therefore resemble the principles of Wicca, Alchemy, or Hermeticism in Western Europe. Huna also operates in correlation with the beliefs of Native Americans, Amazonian tribes, Australian Aborigines, New Zealand’s Maori religion, and Indian Tantra priests. Common features can also be found with regard to the belief in numerology, individual symbolism, and the use of songs in daily life.
However, it must be borne in mind that modern researchers have only discovered about 20% of what Huna truly is.
What is the significance of Aloha?</h 2>
Almost everyone is familiar with the word Aloha, which Hawaiians use to greet each other. However, the meaning of this magical word is much broader, as it can also be used for farewells and declarations of love. Interestingly, Aloha is also a representation of a certain system of values, as each letter hides a unique philosophy.
Aloha is part of the Huna sphere, and it consists of the following elements:
- A = AO, meaning “light.” It is responsible for actions that lead others and us towards light, and thus enlightenment.
- L = LOKAHI, which means “unity.” Everything is unity according to Huna belief, especially concerning our relationships with other people.
- O = OIAIO, which means “truth.” The key to truth is its dissemination, avoiding lies and deception, and being truthful.
- H = HA’A HA’A, meaning “to be humble.” One must constantly work on their ego to avoid self-exaltation. Do you think you know more than others? Prove it, rather than throwing around empty phrases.
- A = ALOHA, meaning “absolute, true love.” Only by fulfilling all previous principles can we achieve divinity here on earth.
Living according to the principle of Aloha is an indispensable element of the Huna system. It’s about being good, loving another person, and striving for constant self-improvement. It’s a system of values we’ve lost in the modern world, without which we cannot achieve true spiritual happiness.