Fundamentals of Hawaiian Mysticism [Paperback]

Charlotte Berney (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 2000

Huna is ancient and at the same time magnificently modern.The mystical practice of Kahuna evolved in isolation on the island paradise of Hawaii. The ancient Hawaiians valued words, prayer, their gods, the sacred, the breath, a loving spirit, family ties, the elements of nature, and mana-the vital life force-ideas profound yet elegantly simple. Discovering the concepts of Huna is like finding gemstones in a mountain-a joyous journey!

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

In this third book of the publisher's "Fundamentals" series, Santa Fe-based Huna scholar Berney approaches a subject almost entirely disregarded in modern writings for a general audience: Hawaiian religion and spirituality. Huna spirituality, as Berney seems to understand it, can be a little difficult to differentiate from the New Age practices of the newer religions and meditation styles, and some may be frustrated by her rather general and nonscholarly approach, but it may be valuable for many libraries to have a first book on this little-known subject. For larger collections strong in spirituality.
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Crossing Press (April 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1580910262
• ISBN-13: 978-1580910262
• Product Dimensions: 5.6 x 0.6 x 8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #780,616 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

59 of 60 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best HUNA book in print!., June 23, 2002

By 

W. Lambdin "Two Bears" (Ellensburg, WA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Fundamentals of Hawaiian Mysticism (Paperback)

I HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone that is interested in HUNA as a way of life.

I wish to commend Ms. Berney for being the only HUNA author that began in the steps of Max Freedom Long (MFL) for gathering information from Hawaiian sources and including a subset of the Akua (deities) the Hawaiians acknowledged.

"Hawaiian Magic And Spirituality" Scott Cunningham has a more complete list of the Akua, a list of various types of kahunas. and even information about the little people (the menehune) of Hawaii.

To be an effective HUNA practitioner you must bring the three selves into harmony. Ms. Berney gives simple exercizes in assisting the three selves reach harmony and balance.

Each of the three selves has a distinct job to do in crafting an effective HUNA prayer action.

The Uhane (middle self) decides what will be prayed for. Select your prayer picture wisely. Choose a prayer picture as if the prayer has already been manifested (This allows the Aumakua (high self) to use the path of least resistance to manifest your prayer.

The Unihipili (low or basic self) gathers a surcharge of mana (Hawaiian term for universal lifeforce energy), then sends the energy and the prayer picture to the Aumakua.

The Aumakua will take the surcharge and mana, and ramp it up to mana loa, and uses the prayer picture, and the mana loa to bring your prayer picture into manifestation on the physical plane.

Most of the prayer actions fail because the Unihipili has complexes and fixations (guilt, fear, shame, wrong ideas about money, etc), and feels unworthy of requesting help, and will not send the prayer picture and mana to the Aumakua. The Aumakua tries to maintain harmony and balance, and will not assist in prayer actions that violate harmony and balance.

On page 72; Ms. Berney lists the HUNA vow that her teachers taught her. If you want to memorize and live by her vow; be my guest because it has some wonderful precepts. However; I recommend people memorize a four word tenet "Harm nothing with hatred". If you will live by those four words; you will keep all of the precepts in the HUNA vow.

I have two nitpicks about this book.

1. In places; she seems to imply there was one kind of kahuna. There were various kinds of kahuna. The title "kahuna" means master or expert.

2. This book has one weak area. That of assisting you in clearing the Unihipili of complexes and fixations. Ms. Berney recommends that you read the books by John Bainbridge, or visit a Vector Counselor.

There are simple rituals you can perform in order to persuade the Unihipili that you are aware of your errors, and have a sincere desire to make ammends. E-Mail me if you want assistance. Two Bears.

You may want to view my two HUNA listmania lists or my HUNA "So you would like to" list.

Aloha nui loa (I love you very much)

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A superbly presented introduction to Hawaiian mysticism., August 6, 2000

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Fundamentals of Hawaiian Mysticism (Paperback)

Charlotte Berney's Fundamentals Of Hawaiian Mysticism provides an important philosophical coverage of Hawaiian mysticism, linking Huni and the science of prayer to other Hawaiian mystical concepts, from meditation to healing. Case histories blend with overall history and coverage of techniques. A superbly presented introduction to all aspects of Hawaiian mysticism.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Work of Alternative Philosophy!, September 11, 2004

By 

D. Buxman "A Seeker of Truth" (Pueblo, CO United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Fundamentals of Hawaiian Mysticism (Paperback)

I'm not from Hawaii, so I don't know anything about whether Huna has a Hawaiian origin or not and, as a practical matter, the origins of the concept don't really concern me. This book offers practical advice on expanding your spiritual life in a way that is not tied down by the strictures of the Christian Church (I'm not attacking the Church, but some people want the freedom to seek an alternative). In my opinion, the best part of the book is the extended, final chapter entitled "Huna for Everyday." This chapter contains 80 pages of practical advice on using Huna techniques to address everyday problems.