Forgiveness And Spirituality

Forgiveness is a gift we give to ourselves. Forgiveness opens the door to abundance and prosperity. Without forgiveness for ourselves and for others we will not be able to go forward on our journey of spirituality.   Forgiveness is a key to our spiritual development as well as for our mental well being.  Forgiveness is a choice.

We all need forgiveness at one time or another in our lives because we are human and therefore are fallible.  Forgiveness is a release from the burden of anger and pain.  When you choose to forgive, you choose to live in the present and the future instead of the past.  It does not mean you forget.  It just means you are choosing to release this burden and move on in life.  Forgiveness doesn't happen on it's own.  It is a choice.  You must choose to forgive.

Many times when our life is not going the way we would hope or wish for, it can be a sign that there is some overlooked forgiveness that needs to take place before we can start attracting our wants and desires. Sometimes when we have low self-esteem or when we feel stuck in grief there is overlooked forgiveness that needs to take place to allow for more forward momentum.  Forgiveness for self and for others opens up the path to abundance in all areas of our life.

There are three ways to forgive which can be used to forgive others or yourself:

1. Mental Forgiveness - use when you want forgiveness from someone - No contact needed
2. Journaling Forgiveness - use when you need to forgive others or yourself - No contact needed
3. Directed Forgiveness - use when you feel you must contact a person directly

Mental Forgiveness.  This type of forgiveness is used when you want forgiveness from someone. Use it if you feel you have hurt or harmed someone in some way.  Even if the person has passed on you can still use the Mental Forgiveness.  You can also use it if you are too embarrassed or uncomfortable with Directed Forgiveness. You don't need to have direct contact with the person you want forgiveness from.  

Mental Forgiveness Exercise:

1.  Sit quietly for a moment and close your eyes.
2.  Picture the person you feel you have harmed or hurt in any way.
3.  Mentally ask the person for forgiveness by using the following affirmation. Start the statement affirmation with the person's name.. For example: "Bill I am so sorry for causing you any hurt or pain when I did ...........(put in the act that you feel caused the harm or hurt)  Please forgive me for any and all hurt that I may have caused you.  Thank you for your forgiveness."
4.  Then make this statement: "I now forgive myself and go free."

Journaling Forgiveness.  This type of forgiveness is for when you want to forgive others without making any contact with them.  It is for you and your eyes only.  It is a list of all the people that you feel have hurt or harmed you in some way.  It is also an exercise for forgiving yourself.  This forgiveness exercise is also used for forgiving yourself.  If you are doing it for yourself then you would list all the things you have done that you feel need forgiveness and then following steps 4 thru 7.

Journaling Forgiveness Exercise:

1.  Use a journal, a spiral notebook or any paper will do.
2.  List all of the names of people that you felt hurt or harmed you in any way.
3.  Write down a brief description of how each person has hurt or harmed you.
4.  Read the list out loud.
5.  Then make an affirmation statement for each person that states you are
forgiving that person and moving on.  For example: "I now forgive Bill and go free." 
Then go on to the next person on the list and do the same thing.
6.  Once you have completed the list in this way destroy the list.  You can shred it.
You can burn it.    Just destroy it.
7.  Once you destroy the list make this affirmation "I now forgive and go free to live a
more loving and fulfilling life.   Thank you."

Directed Forgiveness.  This type of forgiveness is for when you feel a strong

 desire or need to forgive someone directly.  You can call them and do it over the phone.  You can write them a letter and mail the letter.  You can email them.  The point is that this person will know that you are forgiving them because you are telling them directly.  It is not about shaming or blaming.  It is about forgiveness so you can move forward with your life in a positive way.

     Directed Forgiveness Exercise.

1.  Write down what you want to say to this person.  Be brief and to the point.  Remember it is not about shaming or blaming.  It is about forgiving.
2.  If you are calling the person start the conversation with this statement.  Name the person and say something like this: "Bill I just need a moment of your time.  Is now a good time to talk?" 
3.  If you get a yes answer here then say the following:  "Bill maybe without your knowledge I have been carrying around some hurt and pain in reference to when we last spoke or were together.  I want you to know that I am choosing to move forward in my life and I now forgive you for any actions that I felt were hurtful to me and to our relationship.  I did experience some hurt and sadness over this past event.  I am letting it all go and am moving forward without anymore resentment being sent your way.  I appreciate you taking the time to hear this from me.  Thank you."
4.  If the person has anything to say you could hear them out if you wish and then end the conversation with a "Thank you for listening.  Goodbye."

If you still have some forgiveness issues then I recommend the following book:
Radical Forgiveness by Colin C. Tipping

Please Note:  Law of Attraction simply stated is this:  "I attract into my life whatever I give my persistent thought and focus to."  If you are new to The Law of Attraction and its principles and would like some extra help and guidance in learning how to use and practice these principles in your everyday life, then please click on the following link Coaching and Mentoring.