NOTE - These articles are based on the insights of the author Serge Kahili King. I am not a Hawaiian myself and no expert in the teachings of Hawaiian spirituality. There is some controversy concerning the works of Serge Kahili King and his use of Hawaiian terminology. For more see this Wikipedia article. Even if his teaching does not reflect true Hawaiian heritage I still found his teachings insightful - that‘s why I kept these pages on my site for your own discretionary reading.
This is a series of 7 articles based around the 7 principles of life in the Hawaiian Huna tradition.
Huna is a Hawaiian term for “Secret”. But its practical application makes it a universal method for growth and achievement that is far from being psycho-babble. This series discusses the underlying 7 principles of Huna.The 7 fundamental principles of Huna are:
IKE – The world is what you think it is
KALA – There are no limits, everything is possible
MAKIA – Energy flows where attention goes
MANAWA – Now is the moment of power
ALOHA – To love is to be happy with
MANA – All power comes from within
PONO – Effectiveness is the measure of truth
This is the 3rd article in this series following my last 2 articles about the Huna principles of IKE – “The world is what you think it is” and KALA – "There are no limits, everything is possible". Be sure to read these articles since I might refer to them. Also it is good to grasp the content of Ike and Kala for understanding principle 3 – Makia or "Energy flows where Attention goes".Done that? Okay, let’s jump into it …
3. MAKIA - Energy Flows Where Attention Goes
Whatever you spend most of your conscious and unconscious time thinking off, will grow in your reality. This works on the positive as well as on the negative side. If you focus the majority of your attention on why things are not working out the way you want them to, then your struggles will grow and become more concrete through time. If you aren't clear about your goals and direction, then the fuzziness will grow within your life.
Therefore becoming clear of what you want (and not on what you want to avoid) is essential for creating things in this world. That's where the power of vision comes in place. You need a vision to focus your energy like a laser - otherwise your energy will be scattered (and therefore powerless). Think about what has more power - a laser beam or a light bulb.
Did you know that every time you concentrate and focus on something for more than a few seconds you are indeed meditating? Meditation comes from the latin root "med" which means "to measure" - the same root that forms the word medicine. And yes, meditation is one of the best medicines available. But with our new definition of meditation, you don't have to sit down for hours and watch your breath to meditate (it isn't a bad practice though, there are a lot of great benefits by practicing regular meditation settings). You meditate naturally several times a day. But unfortunately very often with a bad placed focus. Every form of remembering bad memories is a meditation - a meditation on failure, lack, sorrow and so much more. You can also call it hypnosis - which is another name for a state of focused attention. And since the introduction of the concept of guided meditation the borders between hypnosis and meditation have become very thin.
Since energy follows where attention goes it is not about practicing meditation for 1 hour a day and then not change the rest of your focus, it is about the sum or the general attitude you have towards life.
Concentrated reinforcement works - all the time.
A prolonged concentration and focus on one subject channels the energy of the universe so, that the physical equivalent of your meditation subject will get enough energy to grow. So in Huna your physical experience is indeed a direct equivalent of your predominant thought patterns.
Corollary: Attention Follows Energy
Bright lights, shimmering objects and loud noises all draw our attention naturally. It is the intensity of the energy that affects us most. Any strong energetic vibrancy attracts our minds (although they might be subtle like a smell). And it is the same with people who extent a strong energetic forcefield and are best described as charismatic.
Corollary: Everything Is Energy
This is no new fact for science - but the implications are nonetheless stunning. Everything is energy - that includes all material object but also your own thoughts. Everything is vibrating (and can often be measured using electrical devices, like an EKG or an EEG).
Action Steps for Makia
To experience the power of makia, you best select something that you don't like to do or that get's you tired easily.
If it's time for doing some tax work or any paper filing you hate to do, that would be an excellent exercise.
Set yourself a time frame of about 30 minutes. You might use a kitchen timer for it. If you want to get real fancy about this read about the Pomodoro technique - then go for 25 minutes. The idea behind it is that fractionalizing work allows you to increase your focus tremendously. It works - try it.
During those 30 (or 25) minutes, repeatedly ask yourself in the back of your mind these questions:
What is funny about it?
What is fascinating about it?
How can I break my own record and do this more effective?
How can I have lots of fun while doing it?
Place the point of your focus and awareness into your object of focus.
Now this might sound complicated but it is easy to do - try to find the location where your point of awareness is right now. Point to it with your finger. You might find it in your brain, or your stomach, or somewhere else. Feel it. There is no right or wrong point. Ask yourself: "Where is my point of awareness now" and you will get your individual answer.
Once you have your current point of awareness, move it into the position where your work is. If you need to do paperwork, then move it within the pile of papers. Experience how your experience changes with you moving your point of awareness.
Stay for some minutes with that location of awareness. Later you might experiment with different points of awareness. If you need to type something - you might experiment with your awareness being in the text your typing, in your hands, slightly behind and over your head (this is a position where in the Jewish tradition the position of the Kippah would be) . This last position is a great point of awareness for studying and reading.
Another way of using your point of awareness is while lifting heavy loads. Try to place your point of awareness on the top part of a heavy load you want to lift and see if that makes a difference in the experience.
Once you have experienced the power of focus and awareness, you then should regularly ask yourself: "Where is my point of awareness now", "What am I focusing on right now?" and "Is my focus empowering or disempowering me right now?"
