You’re probably
familiar with a Disney movie where an alien and a troubled girl find solace in their disfunction. You’ll hear the main character say, “‘Ohana means family…”
Hawaiian
language has more depth and a single word can take you years to explore. For example ‘Ohana. I will share the translation I grew up with.
‘Ohana means
prayer.
Pule ‘Ohana
Our Na Kupuna, elders, would call us together and say, “Hele mai, ‘ohana” and we knew that they wanted to pray. We came from all over and sat huddled. Children on the floor, parents in chairs and babies in the arms of someone. Our eyes wide with anticipation and silently waiting for their mana’o or wisdom.
I’m sitting on my Mama’s lap. Picture taken by my Auntie Nalani of Big Island.
Why they prayed…
If we were celebrating and someone was going to leave the party they would pray to send them off and those who would follow. They knew that time was precious and we are not guaranteed to see one another.
If someone shared urgent news and sought the wisdom of our Kupuna to guide them. Maybe they were applying for a new job, parenting issues or trying to conceive.
If their own intuition guided them to pray they would call whomever was around and ask them to pray in agreement. This could happen at 12pm or 12am, depending on their na’au or gut feeling. (Intuition)
Why we should pray…
Because our day’s are shrouded with confusion and misinformation. Prayer grounds us and offers clarity.
Because we need relief from the mental strain and stress that’s slammed in our faces daily. We can offer our concerns and release it to the heavens.
Because it’s healthy to believe in something higher than our own selves, to elevate our minds.
Because prayer unites us in empathy towards one another. When we lift the needs of other we inevitably lift ourselves. It’s and act of love to pray for the needs of others while not expecting anything in reward.
Grounding
Clarity
Release
Healthy
Elevate
Empathy
Love
“I never heard of a person, who in their last breath said, “I wish I prayed less.” ”
When is it a good time to pray?
Anytime!!!
To gather in one mind.
Momentum happens when everyone has one thought in mind. For example before Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. many sought for equality but it took one person to ‘Ohana and gather everyone to one purpose. Once united anything is possible.
I would have loved to hear the prayers that were said before they marched on Washington DC in 1964. That must have been powerful! We’ve all seen or heard Dr.MLK Jr’s speech but I want to hear the ‘Ohana that happened before he stepped out onto the podium.
Imagine the elders circling around him and praying fervently.
It’s not religious.
Prayer was never meant to be religious. It’s our right as human beings to pray, to gather, to ‘Ohana.
Last week.
I’m closing off my mastermind by the end of January 2021 and might open it up later. (Might) If you want to take your self-improvement, self-development or business to the next level you should join us.
Do you have a group you can trust?
Find likeminded individuals and form your own prayer circle. Make sure that they don’t gossip or spread rumors. I know of groups who disguise themselves a prayer partners but all they do is gossip. Be careful. If someone is quick to talk about another person to you… believe that they’re talking about you to someone else.
