Recently, my son and I were at the Pahoa Market on the Big Island of Hawaii, and he wanted some fruit
juice. All the flavours looked so good that it was hard to choose, so he asked for a jar with a mix of
everything. It tasted good—refreshing and enjoyable—but only the strongest flavour stood out.
Unless you knew what had gone into it, you'd need the training of a wine taster to tell the juices apart.
The modern world can be viewed in a similar way—a blend of many schools of thought from various
cultures. We often encounter conflicting ideas about many aspects of life, and this can become very
confusing. Cultural belief systems are highly influenced by the environment in which they develop, so what
works well in one context might not in another. We can end up trying to apply a solution where it’s
ineffective—sometimes making things worse—or become so afraid of breaking someone else’s rule
that we freeze up, unable to decide, and all the joy gets drained out of our lives. Without a clear set of
rules or beliefs to follow, Ku, our subconscious mind, will often align with the strongest
influences around us, much to the consternation of Lono, our conscious mind.
When too much information is blended from various sources, it becomes hard to tell what’s useful in a
given context. As a result, many people end up confused and indecisive—afraid of making mistakes, or
even angry and fearful when what they know no longer solves the problems they face. Conflicting ideas from
different systems can build up beneath conscious awareness, creating so much internal tension that even
seeing someone do things differently can shake the foundation of their sense of security. This kind of
inner conflict can lead to intense discomfort—sometimes described as cognitive dissonance—even
in response to small differences in belief or behaviour.
What we consider to be “real” is largely shaped by the consistency of our memories about it. We naturally
filter out information and experiences based on our current beliefs, expectations, fears, and biases.
Having a well-practiced framework—or even several that we can shift between as needed—helps us
become more aware of those filters and opens the door to new possibilities.
Huna is a word often translated as “the secret” or “hidden.” In the esoteric teachings of the
Kahili family tradition—often referred to as Huna Kupua—it more accurately means
“tiny” or “hard to see.” Nothing is kept secret; the knowledge is all around us for those who care to
look. Just like with the juice, all the flavours are still there—but without some training and
practice, it’s hard to taste them with any confidence.
Even after a few decades of working with and teaching this philosophy, I continue to find new inspiration
and understanding in the seven principles. It’s been a gradual process—encountering situations,
applying the techniques, and learning from experience. Sometimes insight comes quickly; other times it
takes a series of similar situations before a deeper realisation occurs—one that leads to lasting
change.
The philosophy offers a framework we can use to organise our thoughts and expectations, and to focus our
attention on information that supports our current goals. Anyone can do this by learning to observe and
adjust their own awareness and behaviour. The knowledge is out there, all around us, for those who care to
look.
Working with a guide—a Huna teacher—can accelerate this process. Teachers may take the form
of people, books, or even videos. A good Huna teacher helps you navigate the process in your own power.
They teach you the skills, but they don’t do it for you—it’s up to you to make your own choices. A
teacher can assist in identifying recurring patterns or create situations that allow you to move through
challenges more consciously, rather than bouncing through life like a ball in a pinball machine.
‘A’ohe pau ka ‘ike i ka hālau.
Not all knowledge is taught in the same school.
This doesn’t mean we should try to study at every school to gather all the knowledge. The conscious mind
simply isn’t equipped to process that much at once. Learning something is one thing; integrating it and
applying it effectively in the right context is another.
What this saying really means is that we choose a school or tradition that offers a body of knowledge
suited to our current focus—and we honour that choice by giving it our full attention. We can always
change paths later, if we find our needs have changed.
We wouldn’t go to medical school to become an electrical engineer. We respect that other schools are
valid and useful to those who choose them, and we respect the one we’ve chosen by not blending in
unrelated ideas or diluting what we learn there. I wrote about an example of this in my article
“Infusion Confussion.”
There is one exception: as shaman, we learn to identify and work within the belief systems of the people
who come to us for help. But this isn’t about blending those beliefs into our own tradition—it’s
about meeting people where they are, while staying grounded in our core framework.
Once we’ve mastered what we’ve learned in our chosen school, we may begin to adapt or adopt techniques
from other traditions—because we’ve come to understand what makes them effective and how they fit
within a system. When I teach such techniques, I always do my best to identify where they’ve come from.
‘Ike, The world is what you think it is. Start paying attention to the thoughts that
come up when you imagine the life you want. Do those thoughts support your vision—or do they hold
you back?
Kala, There are no limits. You are free to change the thoughts that don’t support
you—and to strengthen the ones that do. Remember, the greater part of yourself—the largely
unseen “inner-self” for some—is always there to offer inspiration and guidance, if you ask.
Makia, Energy flows where attention goes. As we become more aware of where our
attention goes—and what truly supports our growth—we can develop the skill of maintaining
that focus. Scattered focus makes it difficult to achieve much at all.
Manawa, Now is the moment of power. Bringing our attention back to the present and
refocusing on our goals helps us develop the habit of noticing when we’ve lost focus—and doing
something about it, right now.
Aloha, To love is to be happy with. Creating change in our lives can be a frustrating
process as we work through the thoughts and habits we want to shift. But when we recognise that it’s a
process, and become an encouraging coach to ourselves—patient when we drift off track, instead of
beating ourselves up—we make much more effective progress.
Mana, All power comes from within. When we begin making positive changes in our
lives,
those who benefited from our old patterns may complain or drift away. Developing the confidence to
ignore
the criticism, let them go, and stay the course—knowing that more supportive people will show
up—is a key part of making lasting, beneficial change.
Pono Effectiveness is the measure of truth. Change is often a process of trial and
error. What matters is persistence—developing awareness, clearing old patterns by creating new
ones, and focusing on what we want in the present moment. Staying flexible as we adapt to what works,
and increasing happiness and confidence along the way, keeps us aligned with what’s truly effective.
Alongside the seven principles, Huna includes the concept of four levels of reality. These are not
“levels” in a hierarchical sense, but rather distinct perceptual frameworks—ways of interpreting the
one reality from different sets of assumptions. Broadly, these include an objective viewpoint, a
subjective viewpoint, a symbolic viewpoint, and a holistic viewpoint. What appears impossible
through one lens may become entirely accessible through another.
These perspectives are explored in greater depth in Dr. Serge Kahili King’s books Urban Shaman
and Changing Realities.
Huna also teaches the concept of the three aspects¹—or functional
dimensions—of the self. This esoteric model facilitates communication with inner faculties that
modern society often overlooks: the conscious mind, the subconscious, and the higher self. Cultivating
awareness of these subtle dynamics opens the door to expanded personal power, healing, and alignment.
Together, the seven principles, the three aspects of self, and the four levels of reality comprise an
elegant and practical framework for engaging with life’s challenges. They enable us to discern the
“flavours” of experience with greater clarity—and to choose our responses consciously.
Many systems offer insight and guidance, and there are valuable traditions that others may find work well
for them. But for me, none has proven more effective—on both the inner and practical
levels—than Huna.
(February 2025)
Huna isn't a system that tells you how you should be.
Huna is a system
that teaches you how to change, if you want to
~ Serge Kahili King
The Three Aspects of Self
– Dr. Serge Kahili King (YouTube)
