Pu’uhonua O Honaunau

A place of refuge. Restore your positive energy at home and at work.

Rachel Kenyon
Jul 21, 2017 · 4 min read
A cove at Pu’uhonua o Honaunau

Spirit.

Power.

Safety.

In ancient times, people risked their lives traveling to the Pu’uhonua, a place of refuge.

The Pu’uhonua is said to be a center of power, created by the ali’i (chiefs) who resided there. The outlying grounds were open to anyone who needed them and who managed to endure the journey. The journey was difficult, traveling by foot for miles to reach the coast, then navigating ocean currants and rocky shores to the Pu’uhonua. Many did not survive the crossing, but those who did found safety and personal transformation.

Guarded by ki’i, the sacred spaces brought peace as well as mental and spiritual relief, while the ali’i offered guidance and forgiveness. Across the sacred grounds one could find a multitude of spaces to reflect, meditate and rejuvenate mind and body.

What is your Pu’uhonua?

Everyone has the need for refuge. Pushing through, day after day, pursuing our goals, battling challenges, navigating temptations, jumping hurdles, working and playing hard…it all takes a toll. Oh to be able to take a break, enjoy even a few moments of refuge.

Refuge is about feeling safe, free from danger. In our modern lives, I believe refuge is about stepping away from stress, anger and anxiety long enough to restore positive energy.

You can have this space, your own Pu’uhonua. It can be in your house, at your office, or some other harbor. It can be inside or outside. It can be small or large.

During my work day, my Pu’uhonua is my yoga mat (check out “Stop. Breathe.”). I promise you, there are 5 minutes in your day you can dedicate to stepping away and restoring your positive energy. It may look different for you — a route you can walk outside, a chair in another room where you keep books of poetry — it’s about sacred space and that is completely personal.

What does time at your Pu’uhonua give you?

Spirit. Your spirit is the nonphysical part of you. Your spirit is the house of emotions and character. When you don’t take time daily to shed stress and pressure and negative energy, they seep in to your spirit, changing your emotions and character. But you are in charge here. Taking time to re-center yourself will strengthen the emotions and character you love about yourself.

Power. Reflection + Understanding + Strategy = Empowerment. Taking time to reflect on your actions, understand the actions of others, and plan for your next steps allows you to be in control of your outcomes. Our thoughts drive our actions. Our actions drive our outcomes. So take time daily to consider your process and understand how your choices affect those around you.

Safety. We can feel unsafe in many different ways. Threatening energy can come from bosses, co-workers, family, strangers and general pressures of life. One particularly common way we come to feel unsafe is through the countless decisions we make all day. We are constantly choosing between fight and flight, risk and reward. Our brains and bodies are designed to react to challenges and threats. Alarm bells sound and you are in decision making mode at every turn. This is a taxing condition. To exasperate things, one Huffington Post article explains well “ the brain is like Velcro for negative experiences but Teflon for positive ones. Basically, reaction and retention of negatives are stronger than those of positives. Want to increase your feeling of safety? Take time, find Pu’uhonua and focus to restore calm, wisdom and sense of inner strength. Check out the publication Mindfulness and Meditation for great articles on meditation techniques. Investing only a few minutes a day can change your world!

Give yourself this gift of Pu’uhonua. It is not selfish — in fact dedicating time and effort to your personal well-being allows you to give it to others in the form of positive energy.

Sending positive energy your way. Namaste, Shalom and Aloha.

I hope you will❤ my article so more people will find it!I am Rachel Tawil Kenyon. Click on my profile for articles about living a balanced existence at work and at home.

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Rachel Kenyon

Written by

Writing books. Balancing books. Giving often. www.happywithabook.com www.happyquickbooksgirl.com

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