Forgiveness As A Spiritual Life Lesson

I remember telling my friend Audrey many years ago how well she was handling an upsetting situation. The matter related to a mutual friend who had borrowed a significant amount of money, and even though swift repayment was promised, the promise was not kept, nor acknowledged by the borrower.

Audrey seemed to take a really spiritual approach towards the situation and said to me, “I don’t lend money without first considering that I may well have to write it off in the end.” This was ironic, since he wasn’t exactly well-off herself.

“Why should I choose to be a victim, and to carry that huge load of resentment around on my shoulders, when I do have a choice to simply put it down? To carry that heavy knapsack of anger and resentment would only be draining to my health and peace of mind,” she explained.

To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover that the prisoner was you ~ Louis B. Smedes

Very recently, I put Audrey’s wise words to good use in my own life. It involved a family member whom I felt had betrayed me, and caused a big drain on my financial and energy resources, not to mention my health.

Forgiveness really is a powerful and profound tool, which assists in releasing past trauma, betrayal or hurt. It includes both forgiving the other for what they have done to you, and, probably the hardest part of all, making sure that you actually forgive yourself.

I felt so much better when I put down my load of resentment. I am still constantly reminded of what happened, and the subsequent chaos and stress caused. People still tend to remind me how angry I should be and how remorseful the guilty party should feel, but this spiritual approach I have chosen to apply, truly feels so much better.

Forgiveness Meditation

1. Sit or lay down in a comfortable position as you focus on your breathing, or any other method which works for you in helping you to feel most connected to the source of your being.

2. Close your eyes.

3. Bring to your mind’s eye the person you most need to forgive to let go of the burden of resentment.

4. Affirm in your thoughts, and out loud if it helps: “I forgive you for everything that you have inflicted upon me”. Your intention is important, so do your best to really mean it (not always easy, but it does get better!)

To forgive is the highest, most beautiful form of love. In return, you will receive untold peace and happiness ~ Robert Muller

5. Next, send out a request asking for forgiveness from any person you may have harmed in the past. In doing this, you can even be covering ground in asking for forgiveness for deeds done to another in a previous lifetime. You can simply say: “I ask for forgiveness of anyone or of any being I have harmed intentionally or unintentionally in this lifetime, or in any other lifetime.”

6. Finally, but equally as important to do, bring your focus back to yourself and inwardly recite: “I forgive myself for any hurtful acts or mistakes I have made towards others.”

7. Keep pen and paper handy. Once you have opened your eyes, you may have feelings and images you wish to journal whilst they are fresh in your mind after your forgiveness session.