Mana [H]

Mana is the basic life force which, according to the Huna people of Hawaii, arises in the solar plexus region and flows in waves through the body, forming a figure of eight as it flows down the left leg, back up to the right shoulder and then in reverse pattern down the right leg and up to the left shoulder. It operates at three levels. As [mana]

it builds the physical body, acting through the subconscious, [ku]

or [unihipili]

, the low self. As [mana-mana]

, creative willpower, it operates [uhane]

, the middle self, equivalent to the conscious level, and appears as thought and emotion. As [mana-loa]

it causes the higher self or superconscious level - [aumakua]

or [aka]

- to function; at this level it not only can be controlled for miraculous healing but is also the power of compassion. Various rituals including prayer and breathing exercises are used to convert lower levels of [mana]

to [mana-loa]

and to use this for healing, working with the [ku]

to restore harmony between the [aka]

or etheric body and the conscious mind. Practitioners of this holistic approach to healing, which includes physical treatment such as massage, diet and cleansing of blood and colon as well as rituals involving amulets and mana-charged natural objects, are trained from their childhood, either by a natural or by an adoptive parent, and are referred to as [kahunas]

.