Huna and the Endocannabinoid System

You Think You're in Balance? Think Again.

Let’s get one thing straight. The whole idea of “finding balance” is bullshit. This notion that life is about achieving some kind of static, peaceful equilibrium is a comforting lie we tell ourselves. It’s a fantasy sold by gurus and self-help books that has absolutely nothing to do with the fundamental nature of reality. Life isn’t about balance. It’s about being far from equilibrium.

This is where the ancient wisdom of Hawaiian shamanism and the cutting-edge science of the endocannabinoid system (ECS) collide. The ancient Hawaiians, the kahuna, were masters of understanding energy, consciousness, and the flow of life. They knew that to thrive, you had to ride the edge of chaos, not retreat from it. And what modern science is discovering is that our own bodies are hardwired for exactly this principle, through a master regulatory system that most people have never even heard of.

The Problem with "Normal"

We’re obsessed with being normal. We want a stable job, a predictable life, a body that never gets sick. We see any deviation from this baseline as a problem to be fixed. Got anxiety? Medicate it. Feeling pain? Numb it. We’re constantly trying to force ourselves back into a state of homeostatic balance. But what if that very struggle is the source of our suffering?

Dr. Bob Melamede, the brilliant, stoned-out hippie with a PhD, taught me that life exists on the edge. It’s a dissipative system, constantly taking in energy, creating complexity, and pushing back against the relentless tide of entropy. The Second Law of Thermodynamics dictates that everything in the universe is moving toward a state of greater disorder. A rock is in equilibrium. A corpse is in equilibrium. A living, breathing, thinking human being? You are a raging fire of organized complexity, a temporary eddy in the cosmic river flowing toward chaos. To be alive is to be far from equilibrium.

This is where the distinction between Forward-Looking People (FLPs) and Backward-Looking People (BLPs) becomes critical. BLPs are stuck in the past, clinging to what’s known and comfortable. They resist change, fear the unknown, and are terrified of losing control. They are desperately trying to maintain a state of equilibrium that doesn’t exist. Their entire worldview is based on the flawed premise that things should stay the same. They are the ones who tell you to 'be realistic' and 'play it safe.' They are the anchors that weigh you down, preventing you from exploring the vast ocean of potential that lies before you.

FLPs, on the other hand, embrace the arrow of time. They understand that the past is gone and the future is an open field of possibility. They adapt, they evolve, they flow. They are the innovators, the creators, the explorers who are constantly pushing the boundaries of what's possible. They understand that true security doesn't come from stability, but from adaptability. They are the ones who are truly alive, dancing on the edge of chaos and creating a better future for themselves and for humanity.

The Application: Stop Resisting, Start Flowing

So what the hell does this mean for you? It means you have to stop fighting the current. You have to stop trying to force your life into a neat, tidy box of “balance” and start embracing the beautiful, chaotic dance of being far from equilibrium.

When you feel anxiety, don’t just try to suppress it. Ask what it’s telling you. Anxiety is often a signal that you’re resisting change, that you’re clinging to a past that no longer exists. It’s your inner BLP screaming for control. Your ECS is trying to help you adapt, but if you’re mentally fighting the process, you’re just creating more internal friction. Instead of popping a pill, try taking a few deep breaths and asking yourself, 'What am I afraid of losing?' or 'What change am I resisting?' By bringing conscious awareness to the source of your anxiety, you can begin to work with it instead of against it. You can start to see it not as a problem to be solved, but as a messenger to be heard.

When you experience pain, physical or emotional, recognize it as a signal. It’s information. The kahuna practiced ho’oponopono, a process of reconciliation and forgiveness, to clear energetic blockages. This is a form of mental and spiritual self-organization, allowing the system to find a new, more coherent state. You can do the same by acknowledging your pain, understanding its source, and taking action to change the conditions that created it.

This isn’t about getting high. It’s about getting in tune. It’s about recognizing that your body has an innate wisdom, a built-in system for navigating the complexities of life. Whether you use tools like meditation, breathwork, or even plant medicine in a conscious and intentional way, the goal is the same: to support your ECS and enhance your ability to flow with the arrow of time.

Stop being a BLP. Stop trying to paddle upstream against the river of entropy. The past is a ghost. The only thing that’s real is the present moment and the infinite possibilities of the future.

The Takeaway: Your Three-Step Guide to Flowing Forward

1. Acknowledge the Arrow of Time: Every morning, look in the mirror and say, "The past is gone. I am a forward-looking person." Make a conscious choice to let go of yesterday’s baggage and focus on the opportunities of today.
2. Listen to Your Inner Kahuna: Pay attention to the signals of your body. Your anxiety, your cravings, your pain—it’s all information. Your ECS is talking to you. Instead of numbing the signals, get curious about what they mean.
3. Embrace Self-Organization: You don’t have to have it all figured out. Complex systems create order from chaos spontaneously. Take one small step in the direction of your goals. Trust that the path will emerge as you walk it. Let go of the need for a perfect plan and allow for spontaneous, creative solutions.

It’s time to stop seeking balance and start surfing the edge of chaos. That’s where life truly happens.

References

1. Ligresti, A., et al. (2012). The plant-derived yangonin is a novel CB₁ receptor ligand. Pharmacology, Biochemistry and Behavior, 101(4), 576-82.
2. Meesakul, P., et al. (2023). Hawaiian Plants with Beneficial Effects on Sleep, Anxiety, and Pain. Pharmaceuticals, 16(10), 1413.
3. Melamede, R. (Various lectures). Teachings on far-from-equilibrium thermodynamics and the endocannabinoid system.