What is Huna?

Huna is the Hawaiian art and science of healing and spiritual development and is an ancient teaching dating perhaps, as far back as 35,000 years ago.  It is  part of a universal teaching which emphasized spiritual growth and understanding and was used in the sense of 'power for' rather than 'power over' the natural worlds.  The word Huna means knowledge which is "concealed" or wisdom which is "protected like a treasure".  Rather than a desire to keep this knowledge secret, it referred to a knowledge of the hidden or unseen side of life.

This system of personal development, healing and spiritual discipline was a balanced one, honoring both male and female equally.  We find that today, all over the planet, the ancient teachings are being revived with a return to this balanced system.

The keepers of this universal esoteric wisdom were the Kahuna .  The term Kahuna means 'keeper of the secret' and is equivalent, in today's terms, to a Ph.D., someone who has developed a degree of mastery as a specialist in a particular field.  In ancient times there were, for example, Kahuna of fishing, farming, philosophy, government, canoe building, navigation, child birthing and rearing as well as those who practised divination and prediction, psychological healers and mystical initiators.

In Hawaii, this teaching was originally called Ho'omana which means to make 'Mana' or life force energy ie. to empower. The people  knew that all power or life force emanated from the one source -known as 'IO.  This same belief in the 'One',  was taught all over the planet and known as Wicca in Western Europe, Tantra in India, and permeated the traditions of the Native Americans, the Aboriginals of Australia, and the Maoris of New Zealand.  Over time, those communities who believed in and practised this way were the subject of  many attempts to eradicate their  teachings and culture.  Fortunately, in Hawaii, the teachings were not lost as they were hidden in the chants and the Hula dance. It is only since 1979 when the US government passed the Native American Religious Freedoms Act, that these ways could then be taught,  practised openly and passed on to younger generations.
 
 
 

 

Huna is a shamanistic system which has correspondences in other disciplines.  The belief in the Guardian or Holy Spirit in Hermetics, Native American and Alchemical traditions is the Higher Self of Huna.  The Dream Time of the Native Americans, Maoris and Aboriginals is in Huna,  Moe Uhane.  Just as there is a  belief in the power of the five elements in Hermetics, Egyptian Magic and Alchemy, so also in Huna.  Herbal healing, energy healing, numerology, astrology and the tradition of chanting all exist within Huna as they do within other disciplines.  There is an ancient Hawaiian saying which acknowledges the idea that we are all connected: "A Ohe Pau Ko Ike I Kou Halau" - Think not that all wisdom is in your school.

This ancient secret science was rekindled by Max Freedom Long who, earlier this century, painstakingly researched the knowledge and deciphered the code within the Hawaiian language to begin the revival of this dying knowledge.  In his view, in order to expand our awareness and experience the joy of oneness à "Our concern is to learn to understand our three selves and how they can be made to work harmoniously together.  Only then can man be completely integrated, as he was surely meant to be."  Within this time-honored discipline of Huna is the understanding of the three selves  - the Unconscious Mind, Ku, the Conscious Mind, Lono and the Higher Conscious Mind or Higher Self, Kane.   Yet, it is only as recently as the 1960's that western science has achieved an understanding of the nature and functioning of the conscious and unconscious minds and this was accomplished by Milton Erickson, M.D., an esteemed psychiatrist, psychologist and hypnotherapist.

Through the use of breathing techniques to increase Mana (energy), processes for clearing relationships,  connection with the Higher Self  and drawing on the spiritual power of the chants - just to name several aspects of the practice of Huna - we have simple methods to help us achieve this harmony of the minds.  And, as many wise teachings have claimed, it is through such understanding of the mind that we learn to be the conscious creators of our reality, being at cause in our lives not a victim of the effect.  In this way, we gain maximum power by taking responsibility for everything happening in our universe.

What tends to happen as this process continues, is we begin to know who we really are in all of our multidimensionality - we gradually become whole.  Through the gradual clearing of negative emotions and limiting decisions from the past , we strengthen our sense of self.  We learn to walk consciously with each step and understand that stress is the result of our own fears.  We also learn that the primary requisite for successful relationship between humans is built upon love of self and an appreciation of who we are as living creatures on this earth.  Through being self-ish  - learning to be aware of self - not only do I become whole but in so doing, I am making my contribution towards an expansion in global consciousness at the same time.

  

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For information on the next Huna  seminar  in Melbourne, contact:
Annette Janover     email: anaisa@bluepacific.com
Ken James               email:  kcjames@ozemail.com.au
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