Fundamentals of
Hawaiian Mysticism
Charlotte Berney
Published by Crossing Press, 2000
"An excellent book. The author makes the Huna methods easy and natural, leading you to see how it applies
to your own lives here and now."
- From the Foreword by Otha Wingo, Ph.D.
"Useful to scholars looking for reliable information, and at the same time the general reader will welcome
the rare initiation into a world so deeply concerned with balance."
- Ruth-Inge Heinze Ph.D.
Author of The Nature and Function of Rituals
"A well-grounded overview of Huna, which traces its evolution and integrates it into the Hawaiian world view.
Charlotte Berney's depth of the study and practice of Huna, along with her respect for the Hawaiian people and their
beliefs, make for a very clear and formidable presentation."
- Laura Keoloha Yardly. Author of The Heart of Huna
"A clear and informative presentation of centuries-tested ideas, tools, and rituals for reconnecting with the Earth."
- Larissa Vilenskaya.
Co-author of Firewalking, A New Look at an Old Enigma
Charlotte Berney has been involved with Huna and Hawaiian metaphysics for the past twenty years and is certified as a
Huna Counselor-Teacher. Berney is a professional writer and editor with many articles to her credit. She lives with her
husband near Santa Fe, New Mexico.
(The text above comes from the back of the book)
Review
First of all I would like to say about this book that it was more enjoyable to read than most other books on Huna,
this book is more nuanced and more research has been done for it.
On page 14-15 of her book, after the introduction, Charlotte Berney writes that Max Freedom Long interpreted what he understood
of the Hawaiian traditions from his own knowledge as a psychologist and projected it onto his limited knowledge of the
Hawaiian traditions. A so-called "universal interpretation". Unfortunately, Max Freedom Long was quite wrong.
Charlotte Berney also writes that the Hawaiians never called their traditions Huna.
In this book by Charlotte Berney the Huna philosophy around the three selves is explained: the lower self, middle self and higher self
respectively the Unihipili, Uhane and Aumakua. However, Charlotte Berney is aware in her book that these words have never been interpreted
in this way and therefore does not use them and refers to alternative Hawaiian words: Kane (higher self), Lono (middle self) and Ku (lower self).
It seems that the concept of the three selves is important and when the Hawaiian concepts that are linked to this do not appear to be correct,
then we look for other Hawaiian words. After all, it has to continue to sound Hawaiian.
Max Freedom Long used the wrong words, so Charlotte Berney then mentions others, such as Serge King, who would come up with better Hawaiian words.
But the Hawaiians have no concept of the three selves at all, no matter what words you use. There is nothing Hawaiian in Huna!
This book is therefore still cultural appropriation; cultural colonialism.
Martin