One meaning of Hakalau is, "To stare at as in meditation and to allow to spread out." If you've never tried it before, right now, this technique can be a real eye opener. Try it.

1. Ho'ohaka: Just pick a spot on the wall to look at, preferably above eye level, so that your field of vision seems to bump up against your eyebrows, but the eyes are not so high so as to cut off the field of vision.
2. Kuu: "To let go." As you stare at this spot, just let your mind go loose, and focus all of your attention on the spot.
3. Lau: "To spread out." Notice that within a matter of moments, your vision begins to spread out, and you see more in the peripheral than you do in the central part of your vision.
4. Hakalau: Now, pay attention to the peripheral. In fact, pay more attention to the peripheral than to the central part of your vision.
5. Ho'okohi: Stay in this state for as long as you can. Notice how it feels. Notice the ecstatic feelings that begin to come to you as you continue the state.
   
   
   
   
   (Notice that this description is almost the same as Patanjali's description in the Yoga Sutras of Dharana, Dhyana, and Samadhi leading to Samyama.)

   Hakalau is the means, then, in the Hawaiian system for entering a rapid trance state at will. In our Huna Intensives given in Hawaii, we suggest to the Haumana (students) that they use this technique inside and outside of class -- all the time -- until it becomes automatic. This is the state we are in as we go from place to place, walking, cycling, riding in a car, etc. And as you do it more and more, you will also find that it is impossible to hold a negative state in consciousness when you are in peripheral vision. Hakalau is also why some Shamans won't actually make eye contact with you, because it could interfere with the state. (Truthfully, if eye contact can interfere with your state then you need more practice with a qualified guide.)

   The ability to enter a trance state rapidly, and at will is deepened by sitting in meditation and deepening the experience. The technique is practiced with the eyes closed, and adds some additional techniques to Hakalau.

   To experience Hi'olani -- the sitting meditation of the Kahuna click here Hi'olani

   Learning how to breathe in preparation for meditation is also important -- Ha breathing.
   
   
   

   ---

   Click here to:
   Read Chapter 1 of The Lost Secrets of Ancient Hawaiian Huna, Volume 1

   See Pictures of the Huna Intensive.
   Find out when our next training is: Schedule of Events
   Enroll in our next training: Enrollment Form

   If you can't join us in person, you can find Huna training on tape. This is an excellent resource for review or preparation for any of our Huna trainings: Huna: Exploring the Ancient Wisdom