Branch Mathematics and Statistics Faculty and Staff Publications
A Review on how an Ancient Forgiveness Way Called Ho’oponopono Can Boost Human Health and Immune System
Abstract
aming parent. In response to painful emotions, individuals may react with anger, hostility, and the desire for revenge. Experimental evidence suggests that when people are transgressed against interpersonally, they often react by experiencing unforgiveness. Unforgiveness is conceptualized as a stress reaction. As an alternative, they may decide to forgive the wrongdoer and relinquish resentment. Forgiveness is one (of many) ways people reduce unforgiveness. Forgiveness is conceptualized as an emotional juxtaposition of positive emotions (i.e., empathy, sympathy, compassion, or love) against the negative emotions of unforgiveness. Forgiveness can thus be used as an emotion-focused coping strategy to reduce a stressful reaction to a transgression. More evidences have shown that forgiveness can result in better health and boost human immune system. In this article, we discuss an ancient Hawaiian way of forgiveness, called Ho'oponopono.
