Editor’s note: “Spiritual leaders answer” is a weekly column inviting Kaua‘i’s religious and spiritual leaders to share their doctrine’s perspective on a suggested subject. Every Friday a topic is printed inviting a response. Submissions are edited for content and length.
Editor’s note: “Spiritual leaders answer” is a weekly column inviting Kaua‘i’s religious and spiritual leaders to share their doctrine’s perspective on a suggested subject. Every Friday a topic is printed inviting a response. Submissions are edited for content and length. Thoughts or suggestions for future topics are always welcome. Next week’s topic is wisdom. The topic at the end of the column is for the following week.
Rev. James Fung
Lihu‘e Christian Church
The word “aloha” spoken with affection and sincerity is one of the most beautiful words that one can whisper to another. In fact, an old Hawaiian teacher spoke to me of the deepest meaning of aloha, which is much more than the phrases we use to greet each other. She told me that aloha came from the word “alo” meaning face and “ha” meaning breath. When a person was dying, he would call to his bedside the person he was closest to. With softness and tenderness he would whisper endearing words to that person. And with it she would feel his soft breath upon her face. Giving someone your aloha, therefore, is something spoken deeply from the heart, something dear, personal, sincere, tender.
The spirit of aloha has to do with the affection, the respect, the charitable feelings we have for another person. When we say, “aloha,” it is as if we breathe our spirit of well-being and good wishes into their soul.
This is the same meaning that Christians attach to the spirit of love that is described in St. Paul’s letter to the Christians in the ancient city of Corinth. Instead of using the Greek word “agape,” he could have used the Hawaiian word we’re so familiar with here in the islands. The poetry of 1 Corinthians 13 would then say, “Aloha is patient and kind. Aloha is not jealous or boastful, not arrogant or rude. Aloha does not insist on its own way. It is not irritable or resentful. Aloha bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things and endures all things.” And just as God’s aloha for us goes on forever, may our aloha for each other be strong and enduring as well.
The Baha’is of Kaua‘i
Few can dispute that we live in paradise. But what makes our island home so special? Is it the beaches, the sunsets, the weather or the fragrant flowers? Perhaps the outward beauty of Hawai‘i is merely a reflection of the spiritual beauty known as the aloha spirit. The aloha spirit is the embodiment of the Hawaiian core values of love, cooperation, kindness, unity and harmony. These values resonate true with all of us because they are also emphasized throughout history in each of God’s religions. They are guidance provided by our Creator as to how humanity should relate one to another. These are the values that will unify mankind and bring the world closer to peace, one heart at a time.
The Baha’i writings counsel us to relate to one another in the following ways:
“…Be alive with the fragrances of holiness in the Kingdom of the Highest; be a caller to love; kind to the human race; gentle with humanity; interested in all the people of the world; wish for harmony and seek friendship and honesty. Be a healing for every wound, a remedy for every sick, a source of harmony among the people; chant the verses of guidance; pray to God; arise for the guidance of the people; let thy tongue explain and thy face illumine with the glowing of the love of God. Rest not a moment and breathe not a breath of repose until thou becomest a sign of God’s love and a banner of God’s favor.”
“For one another must ye give up even life itself. To every human being must ye be infinitely kind. Call none a stranger; think none to be your foe. Be ye as if all men were your close kin and honored friends. Walk ye in such wise that this fleeting world will change into a splendor and this dismal heap of dust become a palace of delights.”
Pastor Wayne Patton
Anahola Baptist Church
The spirit of aloha is a way of living and treating each other with love and respect. This is exactly what Jesus taught when he said, “Whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets” (Matthew 7:12).
There are two kinds of people that come into our lives. They remind me of Oscar Wilde’s quote: “Some cause happiness wherever they go; others whenever they go.” How can we become people in the first category? We need to become “refreshing” people who practice the spirit of aloha.
Refreshing people project friendliness (Prov. 15:26). They display a quiet cheer and loving optimism that people need. Refreshing people practice kindness (Prov. 11:16-17). They commit random acts of kindness. They always have a “cup of cold water” in Jesus’ name for a person in need.
Refreshing people display cheerfulness (Prov. 15:13). Someone once said that our day goes the way the corners of our mouths are turned. Our faces are barometers of the heart. Refreshing people cultivate patience (Prov. 9:11). Patience is a quality that evidences wisdom and maturity.
We exhibit the spirit of aloha by our demeanor — being friendly, kind, cheerful and patient.
Lama Tashi Dundrup
Kaua‘i Dharma Center
The aloha spirit of the Hawaiian people past and present is the basis of all human interaction. This spirit and activity mixes loving kindness, compassion and concern for one’s self, others and the natural environment, with social intercourse on all levels — political, religious, scientific, shamanistic and medicinal. We, the people of Hawai‘i, stand out as a living example to the whole world of peace, harmony and cooperation. This is a true ‘ohana of family, friends and lovers. May all human beings have such a fortunate rebirth. May all beings be free and happy and enjoy life. We sum this up with the mantra “Om Mani Pemi Hung !”
Topic for two weeks from today
• Will you speak to us on charity?
• Spiritual leaders are invited to e-mail responses of three to five paragraphs to afrainier@thegardenisland.com.
• Deadline each week is 5 p.m. Tuesday.