The Foundation of Huna - Ancient Wisdom for Modern Times [Paperback]

Spirituality can be a tricky thing in this day and age of technology. Who do you trust to provide you with authentic information that will lead you on your path? Finding a spiritual teacher is not like researching which university has the best law program. There are far and few between such individuals that live their teachings at such a high level of integrity. I feel Dr James is one of those few.

There is not as much information about Huna as there is other teachings like Kundalini Yoga or Qi Gong but you will find that the study of Huna is just as whole of a system as any other path.

You will learn about some very specific teachings that I have not found explained so well anywhere else. You will learn about:

-Ho'oponopono which is a powerful technique of forgiveness
-The deeper meaning of what Aloha means
-Understanding the importance of Mana
-What Ha breathing meant to the people of Hawaii
-A practical perspective and use of the elements
-What the ancient people thought of the three selves and how they connect
-A great perspective of how different spiritual teachings of the ancient ways were really not so different
-Learning about the gut and being "pono" (being right within yourself)

Don't let the simplistic writing of this book fool you. It is very concise and to the point. Considering the background of Dr James (besides being responsible for teaching an unbroken lineage that is 25 generations deep keep in mind he is also a Master NLP Trainer) it is obvious he wrote the book just as the title indicates. This is about foundation!

I know I've been overwhelmed in the past when trying to choose a spiritual path. At times we use western (analytical) thinking to document step by step by step singular answers to our deeply intrinsic questions: Who am I? and What is my purpose on this planet?

If you have been on the path (at least for awhile like me) you will begin to recognize the idea of Creator and creativity.

So how can someone step by step by step document a way to tap into your creator/creativity? With the age of the Internet it can be all too much some times.

I love the idea of "Think not all wisdom is in your school." When I connected to this idea I had this sigh of relief. I didn't realize the stress I was putting on myself for finding a Spiritual path. He conveys an idea that as I go on my path I need to be kind myself. I will hit challenges. I know I need to be focused and also I need to be gentle in my approach in everything I do. This idea of being "pono" right with my own self. Besides, who else will do it for me?

Learning Huna helps me to slow down. And to really become aware of all that is around me. I feel a greater sense of wholeness and each day I practice Huna I feel more connected in my heart and to the world. That is a feeling I wish for everyone I meet on their own path.

In this day and age people want to get to their destination all too quickly. And there is this strange phenomenon that spirituality needs to be flashy. I recognize technology plays a role in it. And technology is wonderful because it brings us information that seemed so hard to acquire only just 10 - 20 years ago. It brings ancient knowledge that we can read at the click of a mouse button.

However, it really is about the basics and about practicing with [integrity, intention and in the context of Huna it's about Aloha!] Love is the means! I know it sounds simple. And realizing it will take a life time to master is the greatest lesson of it all.

If your are just discovering Huna this is a great way to go. If you are studying other spiritual paths, this will only give you a better perspective and enhance what you already know. And if you've studied Huna in the past this is a great book to keep as a refresher and I would use it like a freshman level text book.

And I don't think this may be as obvious but I believe the knowledge presented in this book focuses more on you the student rather than how great the author is. In the book the "h" in aloha means "ha'a ha'a" to be humble. I believe Dr James is truly that.

Dr James takes his years of training and takes ancient concepts and makes it applicable to use in these modern times. That is a very difficult task for any spiritual teacher.

I've gone to yoga teachers and tai chi teachers that get lost in their teachings only to end up distancing the student because they just don't seem to know how to bridge the gap of ancient dialog (that at times tells cryptic metaphors) to our current culture. And more importantly it can be apparent when they don't practice fully what they teach. I've read Hermetic books where the language is a few logical levels above me and inundates you with so many techniques that you just don't know where to start.

Huna likes to keep it simple. And yet, it really is a powerful system if you apply it. I've have yet to come across a system that ties together so well this idea of interconnectedness with our physical world and our spiritual world. Or rather, a teacher that can bring information of a complex nature and make it easily transferable to everyday living.

With Huna I perceive this dichotomy of simplicity associated with spirituality but I suspect this may throw the intellects of this world off a bit. It did with me at first. Over time I've really learned to set the intention and let go. The tendency to look for gobs and gobs of citations or scientific evident doesn't always make the information viable or even palatable. Particularly in this context. I believe it's important to take this information and like buddha said, "Go test it out."

The information in this book also gives you permission to
1. Truly be forgiving of yourself and others
2. Be flexible in your thinking
3. Recognizing there really are many paths to the destination (again being flexible)
4. And just as important to attain knowledge it's equally important to apply the information. Applied knowledge is power!
5. Recognize we are more than our labels. We will always be more!

I think you should ask yourself a couple of key questions when you read this book. What is the purpose of this knowledge? Will it enhance my well being or help me evolve? I believe this is also what Dr James had in mind when he wrote the book. Because I know I can apply this to my everyday life starting now. I don't have to wait.

I realize sometimes a person will read a book and think they now know it all. I hope you take this information and incorporate it. Watch your life unfold. Use the information to make the world the way you want. Huna is a way of understanding, being, doing and having. This information seems new but has been around long before we could document it. However, more importantly I believe its here to help you remember what a truly magnificent creator you are and have been since your birth.

These are seemingly challenging times. The media wants you to believe it. Maybe even your family members or your next door neighbors want you to think you are less than that. Huna is quite the opposite. I'm so glad this information is now in a book for me to read over and over again. (It's about repetition, right?)

Huna is a way of thinking that says you will always be more. And don't just learn the information to know it! The tools in this book are presented to you in a way that it gives you opportunity to live your magnificence now!

I hope this review helped.

Much Aloha!

Before I had the opportunity to attend the Huna training, I was fortunate to get to read this wonderful book. Giving a clear understanding of the ancient teachings, supplying excellent information to understand what this incredible wisdom has to offer, and it is written so you are captivated with what is being shared with you. I will read and reread this over and over. It's not only a "reading experience", it's a spiritual journey from the moment you open up the book to page one!!!!!

Beautiful work. Teaching the light, giving the power to the people through the accessible techniques of Huna. If you want to deepen your appreciation of your faith, your partner and family, and your reality, read this teaching. I do hope a second edition will see a good editor work it over to make it even more engaging and effective, however, I am very particular about tiny perceived issues of writing, and I would buy it as is again just to give to friends and family.