“FORGIVENESS FREES THE PRISONER: YOU”
“Sigh… Forgiveness. It does not come easy, in some cases. Even though we all instinctively know we would be better off without our resentment and pain.
Twenty years ago I visited a hypno-therapist who put it to me: ‘you don’t need to drag all that anger around’. I had never thought of ‘anger’ as something one could ‘drag’ around like a prisoner’s ball. This realization enabled me to release my anger and be free to move forward with my life with a lighter load. Forgiveness is the key that opens one’s shackles. I realized that my anger was separate from me. It was a condition I could shed by forgiving.
One of the ways in which we experience divine love is through forgiveness. True and lasting peace ofmind and well-being are maintained when we are forgiving. The blessing of forgiveness heals any sense of separation between us and others.
FREE REIKI
I will do a group healing within 1 month of this writing for anyone who is dealing with forgiveness. If you are interested in participating and receiving a free distant Reiki session for this purpose, email me with your name, your location and the issue/condition for which you wish to receive a healing.
WHY & HOW TO FORGIVE
“Learning to forgive is infinitely more useful than merely picking up a stone and throwing it at the object of one’s anger” said the Dalai Lama recently. (Don’t you just love his no-nonsense flair?!)
Forgiveness is the mental & spiritual process of stopping to feel resentment or anger against another person for a perceived offence, difference or mistake. It may mean stopping to wish for punishment, restitution or other compensation. Forgiveness may refer to the feelings of the person who forgives, or to a relationship between the forgiver and a person being forgiven. And, sometimes we need to forgive ourselves.
“Many sources suggest that forgiveness can lead to decreased anger, depression and anxiety, and stress as well as enhanced well being, including peace of mind.” concludes Fred Luskin, a world-leading authority on forgiveness from Stanford University. He found in his studies “that forgiveness increases mental and physical health and vitality. … People experienced decreases in hurt feelings, stress, and physical symptoms of stress and increased willingness to forgive in the future.”
Of course, Fred’s premise did not come out of the blue. Most world religions include teachings on forgiveness, and many provide a basis for modern-day theories and practices of forgiveness.
10 STEPS HOW TO FORGIVE
The web is filled with ‘How to Forgive’-top 10’s, but I like counselor Diana Robinson’s practical Steps to Forgiveness:
1. Understand that forgiving does not mean giving permission for the behavior to be repeated.
2. Recognize who is being hurt by your non-forgiveness: you.
3. Do not require to know ‘why’ as a prerequisite to forgiveness.
4. Make a factual list of what you need to forgive.
5. Acknowledge your part.
6. Make a list of what you gained from the relationship, whatever form of relationship it was.
7. Write a complete forgiveness letter to the person (no need to mail it).
8. Hold a ceremony destroying your lists and letter, so symbolizing ending the damaging link between you.
9. Visualize the person you are forgiving being blessed by your forgiveness and, as a result, being freed from continuing the behavior that hurt you.
10. Now that you have freed yourself from the painful links and released the pain, feel yourself growing lighter and more joyous.
Recommended Books
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The Wisdom of Forgiveness: Intimate Journeys and Conversations
Working with this article may bring up strong emotions.This is the beginning of your healing process. A good cry is a great release, so just allow that to happen. Welcome it as it frees you. However, if your very strong emotions persist, consider seeking support. Work with the above books, talk to a counselor or therapist and be sure to get Reiki simultaneously as that makes it so much easier. Reiki can help you resolve your issues energetically on all levels, including on a soul level. A counselor can help you sort things out, consciously. Both treatments complement each other. Good luck clearing up your past!
Copyright Astrid Lee, 2008. http://www.TherapeuticReiki.com Do not reprint any part or all of the article without written permission.