audiobook Origins of Huna: Secret Behind the Secret Science by Shelley Kaehr in History

Review

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful. not excitedBy Enigmatic TzuI have never done a review before due to the limited free time I have but feel it is necessary. I will try to walk a fine line as I try to focus on positive. I feel as though Shelly spent too much time focusing on nonessential aspects. There are a few gems in the book but I believe it is not worth the time of reading through the "blank" pages to find them. But if you do read it; make sure you read about the cord cutting procedure at the end it is a truly wonderful exercise.I was very shocked to find that of all the several pages of recommended reading she never mentioned Serg King; which I shall at this time. I highly recommend "mastering your hidden self" and after that; only for the brave at heart; "urban shaman"Now; I don't claim to be an expert and if I am mistaken please feel free to contact me. But I have found a wealth of amazing info on Huna from those 2 books.35 of 36 people found the following review helpful. Researched using a what? A OUIJA BOARD?By A CustomerMs. Kaehr studied with a Huna teacher in Dallas; Texas; who is not named in the book but who is a well known former pupil of Tad James. After completing one level of Huna training she purchased an Ouija board at Wal-Mart (!) and convinced herself she was communicating with the ghost of Max Freedom Long; the first person to write about Huna in the thirties. Inspired by that; she went to Hawaii and did some research which persuaded her that Max Freedom Long's books were inaccurate and that he made up much of what he wrote. Shelley's book is quite readable and well written. However; on some points her argument falls completely apart.Max Freedom Long says in his books that he never met a kahuna while he was in Hawaii; that he did become friends with Dr. Brigham of the Bishop Museum; and that everything he wrote about Huna came from Dr. Brigham and the Hawaiian Dictionary. Shelley accurately points out that none of these statements are true. Shelley has done an honest and courageous job of exposing the myths; but regrettably she stopped short of discovering the truth. Her documentary research is excellent but to arrive at the end of the story she resorted to Ouija boards; conversations with ghosts banging on the walls of her house; and automatic writing; whereas IMO she should have continued exploring documents. The truth is that Huna was illegal when Max was in Hawaii; that he studied under two kahunas; and that they gave him permission to publish some of what they taught him; provided that he conceal their identities. That he did with the silly stories about Dr. Brigham and the Hawaiian Dictionary which Shelley has thoroughly debunked. All of this came out after his death and after Huna was legalized. Like Shelley; I; too; was unimpressed with the obvious phoniness of these stories; and interviewed a woman in 1986 who studied in Hawaii with several kahunas. She told me that not only were Long's books accurate representations of Huna teaching; but that there were a lot of people in Hawaii who were angry that this information had been published. It is true; as the Kaehr book points out; that the popular understanding of such terms as aumakua and unihipili are different from the secret; esoteric meanings given by Long. But was Long wrong? Not according to people who have spent considerable time in the islands studying with real kahunas. We should note that Ms. Kaehr herself does not claim to have studied with any kahunas while in Hawaii; although she did do some valuable research with others who also did not study under any kahunas. So Ms. Kaehr's book is partly right so long as it depends on documentation; and dead wrong when its statements are based on ghostly visitations and things that go bump in the night (or bang; as the case might be). I say this in the hope that she will bring out a second edition in which these flaws are corrected. It should also be said that Max Freedom Long's bona fides or lack thereof have no bearing on the teachings of Clark Wilkerson; Serge King; or Tad James; all of whom studied in Hawaii; and none of whom claim to have learned everything they know from a dictionary; or from Long; for that matter. All three of these teachers have tipped their hat to Max Freedom Long as the first mainland author to write about Huna and acquaint stateside readers with this ancient Polynesian form of spirituality. It is absurd to say that no one should study under any of these teachers or their students because of Ms. Kaehr's experience with a Ouija board. After all; someone else might look at some tea leaves or something and decide not to study under Ms. Kaehr and then where would we be? Would that make any sense? We need better information than her presumed seances to make intelligent decisions.So I would give this book two stars. Two for the part that is half right; and minus three for the part that is all wrong.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. A worthwhile read for those who have studied HunaBy AmandaOverall I really enjoyed reading this book. The title clearly explains what this book is about; a study of the "Origins of Huna". The information Shelley provides appears to be well researched and is; in my opinion; well written. I have studied Huna and had my own questions regarding this healing modality- this book answers those questions. The author has also concluded her research in what I believe is a positive atmosphere given the results of her research. In my opinion this book is definately worth reading; particularly for those who have either studied; or are considering studying; Huna.