The Path of Forgiveness
Our thoughts make up most of our lives, all of them are included in memories and with memories comes emotions. Emotions can trigger responses like joy, happiness, peace, sadness, anxiousness, and even anger. These emotions are a way of showing us where we are mentally in each moment and how that moment can pass maybe with our thoughts or without. We can let them carry on like a train that stops to pick up emotions and then drops them off at the next station. They can either fester or be brought to an understanding with unique tools and methods, eventually, leaving the burden behind, and coming closer within our true selves and the world around us. One method that can help us let go of the pent-up anger and rage is forgiveness.
Why do we need to incorporate forgiveness into our lives? The past can hurt, and with hurt comes suffering. It can be challenging to relieve the burdens. It can burden us so much every day that we have no room for anything else but hurt, making us feel unworthy and undeserving of any type of love because of this guilt and shame we have created.
They say we can’t change the past because it is gone, but however, the past is still within us in the present moment. The fact is right in front of us, the past will always be present in our minds if not handled with care. That’s why we must start with this liberating practice to relieve stress and unresolved trauma.
How can we liberate ourselves from this suffering that we or others have caused us? These tools today will start us on a new journey to self-improvement and healing. Once we heal ourselves real transformation shows on a mental and physical level. It will deepen our relationships in every way possible!
Forgiveness method #1
We can start by forgiving others who hurt us. This might require a much-needed effort and a bit of time to actually liberate ourselves, but it is worth it. We can sit or lay down and think back to how they hurt us. Let the emotions come to the surface and when they do, say out loud or to ourselves “I offer my full forgiveness, I forgive you for the ways you have hurt me.” We can say this as many times as we like. We most likely will feel irritated, feel angry, or sad in the beginning but after we can feel the energy of this dissipate, being replaced with lighter emotions.
Forgiveness method #2
This time we are going to remember the times we hurt other people, not only does this show that we are human and are a part of this learning process in life as everyone else is but it’s revealing that we are also growing in compassion. This is the growing part of the self-healing journey. We can say, “I offer forgiveness for the times I have inflicted pain, Please forgive me. I am sorry.” Again, sit with this and put the intention of letting the person truly know you are sorry.
Forgiveness method #3
Lastly, where the magic starts to happen and the world around us shifts is when we offer forgiveness towards ourselves, for all the pain we have put ourselves through. To do this we have to recall all of the suffering, the blame, and the guilt, we have inflicted on ourselves. Letting this be our guide into liberation and acceptance. Let’s say, “I forgive myself for all the pain and suffering I have caused myself, I forgive you, I am sorry, I love you.”
Practicing reconciliation in this way, having to do it often or even one time has tremendous benefits to the way we think, the way we see ourselves, and the way we can start to see a new path to life. New doors open while old doors finally close. This helps us find true peace within. Therefore, we begin to trust ourselves and others which can ultimately bring us closer together. We will become more compassionate, understanding, joyful, and sincere. The new energy of lightness comes into being, we are a fresh new start.
(Author’s note: I would like to state that this is a practice that monks use every day to liberate themselves, I found out about this practice a couple of years ago while going through a dark time and I fell in love with the way it made me feel and that is why I included it here. I truly felt at peace and had a better outlook on the way I treat myself and others.)
Please let me know if you enjoyed doing this, remember you can add or do what makes you feel more comfortable. What matters the most is the intention behind it.
Neena
If you would like to know more about mindful living and practices that can help improve ourselves, please take a look here:
