Why Does Life Feel Like a Battle? Kumu Ramsay Taum on Finding Peace
In a time when life feels increasingly chaotic—emotionally, spiritually, even globally—many of us are left asking: Why does life feel like a battle? According to Kumu Ramsay Taum, the answer lies not in what surrounds us, but in what’s within us.
In this powerful episode of Greater Good Radio, Kumu Ramsay joins Evan Leong to explore how ancient Hawaiian wisdom can help us navigate conflict, trauma, and disconnection. Through practices like Lua, Hoʻoponopono, and a return to pono (alignment), he offers not only insight—but a map for healing.
The True Meaning of Battle and Balance
While Lua is often thought of as a physical combat system, Ramsay reframes it as a practice of protection, not aggression. Before he was allowed to learn the art of breaking bones, he was required to study healing: setting bones, manipulating muscles, and understanding how to restore energy flow. That’s because, in true Hawaiian tradition, you don’t learn to hurt until you’ve learned to heal.
Similarly, Hoʻoponopono isn’t about forgiving others in words alone. It’s about cleansing your internal landscape—releasing stored guilt, pain, and unconscious expectations that lead to emotional and spiritual misalignment.
“The key is: can we operate with intention rather than from tension?”
It's All an Inside Job
At the heart of Ramsay’s message is this: healing begins with accountability. “What is it about me that allows me to see in you what bugs me about you?” he asks. He teaches that the conflicts we experience with others are reflections of unhealed parts of ourselves—and until we address those inner fractures, the outer battles continue.
Whether it’s a car accident or a relationship breakdown, Ramsay sees these moments as invitations to realign, not just events to overcome. In one moving story, he recounts being hit by a car whose driver fled. Instead of reacting with rage, Ramsay sat in his vehicle and immediately began the Hoʻoponopono prayer—forgiving the stranger, himself, and his ancestors. He chose to find meaning, not blame.
Alignment with Ancestors and Descendants
Ramsay speaks about the concept of alignment not just as a personal state of peace, but as a spiritual lineage. He explains that being in line with your purpose not only gives your life meaning but also gives your ancestors a place to send their wisdom—and your descendants something to inherit.
“When there’s peace in the heart, there’s peace in the person. When there’s peace in the person, there’s peace in the home… and ultimately, peace in the world.”
That alignment isn’t just a feeling—it’s a responsibility. A kuleana.
From Scarcity to Abundance
One of the most vulnerable parts of the episode is when Ramsay shares how financial loss during the 2008 economic crisis led to personal bankruptcy. It was a humbling experience—but also a healing one. Through that collapse, he realized he’d been chasing illusions and success metrics that didn’t align with his soul’s path.
By returning to source, and embracing the abundance within, he rebuilt—not just his career, but his sense of self.
Honoring the Source
Throughout the episode, Ramsay warns against the commodification of spiritual practice. He critiques the way modern culture reduces deep ancestral wisdom into surface-level mantras, stripping them of context and sacredness. Practices like Hoʻoponopono, he says, must be done with reverence, not repackaged as spiritual shortcuts.
“Don’t call my grandmother’s stew ‘beef stew’ if you put chicken in it.”
Grief, Love, and the Power of Presence
Later in the conversation, Ramsay opens up about the passing of his wife, mother, and mentors—offering profound reflections on grief and transformation. He sees death not as an end, but a continuation of relationship in spirit. Through it all, the practices of alignment, prayer, and connection remain his compass.
One of the most moving moments comes as he imagines a final message to his daughter:
“Thank you for choosing me… You’ve embodied your ancestors and directed that energy with compassion.”
Finding Peace in a World of Uncertainty
As the world continues to shift in unpredictable ways, Kumu Ramsay leaves us with a powerful reminder: the only certainty is uncertainty. But in that reality, we still have a choice—to act with aloha, to find our alignment, and to bring more love into our daily lives.
“If you want to prepare for peace, start living it now.”
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