The Hawaiians Knew: An Introduction to Huna

_This article is part of Justin Hartfield's "Far From Equilibrium" series on The Forward Look._

The Hawaiians Knew: An Introduction to Huna

You think you're in control. You think you've got it all figured out, with your to-do lists, your five-year plans, and your perfectly curated Instagram feed.

Bullshit.

You're not in control. You're a leaf on the wind, and you're fighting a hurricane of your own making. You spend every waking moment trying to build a fortress of certainty in a universe that is fundamentally, gloriously, and terrifyingly uncertain. And you wonder why you're so damn tired.

The Problem: The Seductive Lie of Balance

The biggest lie we've been sold is the myth of balance. We're told to seek equilibrium, to find our center, to achieve a state of perfect, Zen-like calm. It’s a comforting thought. It’s also a recipe for stagnation and decay. It’s the spiritual equivalent of a participation trophy.

Nature doesn't do balance. Nature does chaos. It does storms, and fires, and evolution. Life isn't about finding a safe harbor; it's about learning to surf the damn waves. The universe is constantly expanding, constantly moving towards a state of higher entropy. The second law of thermodynamics guarantees it. Disorder is the default setting of reality. Trying to create a permanent state of order and balance in your life is like trying to build a sandcastle against a rising tide. It’s a fool’s errand.

This is where most self-help gurus get it wrong. They sell you on the idea of a finish line, a state of perpetual bliss you can achieve if you just buy their book or attend their seminar. They’re selling you a fantasy. The real work isn’t about arriving at a destination; it’s about embracing the journey, chaos and all.

The Application: Forward-Looking People vs. Backward-Looking People

So what does all this have to do with you? Everything.

You have a choice. You can be a Forward-Looking Person (FLP) or a Backward-Looking Person (BLP). A BLP is someone who is stuck in the past. They’re constantly replaying old stories, nursing old grievances, and trying to recreate a world that no longer exists. They are fighting against the arrow of time, and they are losing. They are the ones who are constantly stressed, anxious, and unhappy. They are the ones who are clinging to the illusion of control, and it’s tearing them apart.

An FLP, on the other hand, is someone who embraces the uncertainty of the future. They understand that the past is gone and the future is unwritten. They are adaptable, resilient, and creative. They are the ones who are constantly learning, growing, and evolving. They are the ones who are surfing the wave of increasing entropy and creating a better future for themselves and for the world.

This isn’t just some new-age mumbo jumbo. This is physics. This is biology. This is the way the universe works. You can either align yourself with the flow of the universe, or you can fight against it. The choice is yours.

It makes me laugh to reflect upon some of the choices I've made in my former life. Man was I a fucking idiot! I used to resist change; I used to hold on to things that were not; I made horrendous decisions every day, all in the effort to preserve my ego and resist change.

It wasn’t easy. It required me to let go of my need for certainty, my need for control. It required me to be vulnerable, to admit that I didn’t have all the answers. But it was worth it. Because on the other side of that fear, I found a sense of freedom and aliveness that I never knew was possible.

The Takeaway: How to Surf the Wave

So how do you become an FLP? How do you learn to surf the wave of increasing entropy? Here are a few practical steps you can take:

1. Embrace Impermanence: Nothing is permanent. Not your job, not your relationships, not your body. Everything is in a constant state of flux. The sooner you accept this, the sooner you can stop clinging to things that are destined to change.
2. Practice Mindfulness: The only moment you ever have is this one. The past is a memory. The future is a fantasy. Bring your attention to the present moment. Feel the sensation of your breath. Notice the sights and sounds around you. This is where life is happening.
3. Cultivate Curiosity: Be a lifelong learner. Ask questions. Challenge your own assumptions. The more you learn, the more you realize how much you don’t know. And that’s a good thing. It keeps you humble. It keeps you open to new possibilities.
4. Nourish Your Endocannabinoid System: Your body is your temple. Treat it with respect. Eat a healthy diet. Get regular exercise. And consider incorporating cannabis into your wellness routine. Cannabis is a powerful tool for modulating the endocannabinoid system and promoting a state of dynamic, non-linear balance.
5. Find Your Flow: What are the activities that make you lose track of time? What are the things that you are passionate about? These are the things that will help you get into a state of flow, a state of effortless action where you are fully immersed in the present moment. This is where you will find your true power.

Closing

Look, I’m not going to lie to you. This isn’t easy. It’s a lifelong practice. There will be days when you fall back into old patterns. There will be days when you feel like you’re drowning in the chaos. That’s okay. The important thing is to keep getting back on the board. Keep paddling. Keep surfing.

The universe is not against you. It’s not for you either. It just is. It’s a chaotic, beautiful, and unpredictable dance of energy and information. And you are a part of it. You are a wave in the ocean of consciousness. You can either fight the current, or you can learn to ride it.

So what’s it going to be?