Self Care and Fitness Education: Relax . . . And Follow the Aloha Spirit

At the beginning of the treatment portion of an acupuncture session, Erin tells me to do three things: relax, accept the love of the needles as they work to heal my body, and follow the Spirit where it takes me. This week I began to think about the Spirit I follow and found out that it is something I have experienced a couple of times before in my life, but somehow let it get away from me. It is known as the Aloha Spirit.

Today we are going to delve into the meaning of the Aloha Spirit and how it can be a model, or a beacon if you will, on how we can make this world a better place to live. Hawai'i is my all time favorite state to visit. Not only does it embody a true sense of paradise, but it also holds great healing powers or Mana just by setting foot on its lands. Aloha holds such great meaning for the People of Hawai'i that it is encoded in section 5-7.5 of the Revised Statutes and is known as The Aloha Spirit Law "and acknowledges that The Aloha Spirit was the working philosophy of native Hawaiians and was presented as a gift to the people of Hawai'i" (2014).

All citizens, government officials, and visitors to the state must follow the precepts of the law in both the performance of their duties as well as day-to-day living. The law was founded on the intent that it can serve as a model for the world to do the greatest good for the greatest number of people. Here is what the Aloha Spirit Law says verbatim:

A- Akahai, meaning kindness to be expressed with tenderness;

L- Lokahi, meaning unity, to be expressed with harmony;

O-Olu'olu, meaning agreeable, to be expressed with pleasantness;

H- Ha'aha'a, meaning humility, to be expressed with modesty;

A- Ahonui, meaning patience, to be expressed with perseverance.

Furthermore, the law states that aloha means "mutual regard and affection and extends warmth in caring with no obligation in return"(2014). When we do something for others, it should be done without expecting anything in return.

After my first trip to the Islands I decided to explore a little bit more about the Aloha Spirit and found a book written by a poet and philosopher named Robert James titled What is this thing called Aloha (2002). On every other page of this book, the author relates what he believes and feels is the meaning of Aloha. I will now share a few select quotes that will help to better define this wonderful gift:

"And once found, aloha makes our lives whole, gives power to our words, fills our actions with purpose, and assures that our every thought is of benefit to each other and to the world around us."

"Like seeds on the wind, let your aloha find a home in every soul you meet."

"The existence of aloha in not an abstraction. Feel it now. It is in your blood. It is in your bones. It is in your mind, heart, and soul. Find it in the silent wonder of yourself."

"It is easy to love those most dear to you. Aloha makes it possible for you to love your larger family, humanity."

"We have two voices within ourselves. One is in our head, the other is in our heart. One says, "I want!", "I need!", I must have this!" It is filled with greed, envy, anger, and plotting. Aloha, the other voice, says, "If I have, let me share it with others. If I dream, may it serve the greater good."

"Aloha is found in silence, lived in peace, and passed on in love" (2002).

All too often in this world we get caught up in a sense of entitlement and end up losing our Aloha Spirit along the way. I should know because I have been there and done that. If the people of Hawai'i can harness the wonders of Aloha, then why not us all? As Erin tells me, follow the Spirit (Aloha) where it takes you. In my case it is leading me down the path of peace, inner harmony, and a more balanced life.

One more thing about Hawai'i. Every year before Judy and I go on vacation we ask for a travel blessing from our pastor, Father Barrett. When we returned from our last trip to Hawai'i (four years ago) Father Barrett asked me how it was and I said "awesome". However, over the days following I really thought about the answer to his question. When I saw him the next week, I better defined my experience and told him: "On the seventh day when God rested, he settled over the Hawaiian Islands and said "I am going to leave them a snapshot of what Heaven is like." That to me is what the Aloha Spirit is all about.