Benefits of Forgiveness

Forgiveness is a process. It is one of our biggest lessons as we travel through our human experience. It can be defined as “the process of concluding resentment, indignation, or anger as a result of a perceived offense, difference/mistake, and/or ceasing to demand punishment or restitution”. Forgiveness is a gift to our spirits, one that frees up our energy so that we can refocus and use that energy to build, develop and follow our truest path.

We need to put forgiveness into perspective; it is about not allowing another’s actions to affect our life and our energy. Forgiveness allows for the release of hurt and anger, provides nourishment to our heart centres and facilitates our self love. It is not about allowing bad behaviour from others or forgetting about the incidents that brought pain; it is about releasing those negative emotions that do not belong to us and allowing karma and the Universe to impart the lessons for the other person as is their job.

Holding onto negative emotions affects us not only mentally, emotionally and spiritually but also can manifest physically. Physical manifestations include: tension migraines/headaches, backache, joint pain, immune system suppression, decrease metabolism and can increase blood pressure.

Why is it so difficult to release and forgive? Holding onto events is a defence mechanism from an ancient portion of our brain. The Amygdala or “reptilian brain” acts immediately at an offense and provides protection by building walls and holding the emotions within them. This action was beneficial when we needed to act on instinct, quickly, efficiently against other predators.

Today this is not the case, we do not need to remember every offense or affront and build walls because the situations are different--no longer life or death. But our reptilian brain does not recognize this, thankfully our prefrontal cortex has developed and now we are able to view emotional situations with equanimity and have control over our emotional reactions.

What happens to our body when we release anger and welcome forgiveness?

Our muscles relax. We breathe more easily. Our blood vessels open up; more oxygen enters our bloodstream. We feel as though a load has been taken off our chest. We sleep more deeply, more peacefully at night. Our body processes achieve equilibrium again and our energy fields become unblocked. We are no longer pouring energy into building walls; we can now re-direct energy towards building relationships, coherence and love. All of these mechanisms are possible because we are relaxed, our parasympathetic nervous system is engaged; relaxing our adrenal glands and reducing the amount of adrenal running through our bodies.

Forgiveness Tools:

Affirmations- these are great tools to use daily. All you need to do is to repeat a positive thought/idea/goal in your mind or out loud. It is believed that the best way to create a paradigm shift in your mind is to say 10 affirmations 4 times a day for 40 days. This is optimal, but be kind on yourself and if you feel you can only do it once in the mornings then do it as fits your lifestyle best!

Some examples of affirmations:

I forgive myself and release my past to its highest spiritual progression path.

I forgive and communicate Love, easily and effortlessly now.

I now liberate my past from my mind, body and affairs. I AM free!

I forgive my family and embrace them with Love and compassion. 

I AM grateful for my ability to easily forgive.

My forgiving nature is contagious.

I set my past free and forgive myself for my participation

I am forgiveness

I have a free and open heart, forgiveness is within me

Write a letter- writing is a great release tool. You can write a letter to the person, state how you feel, why you feel that way and if you want provide a solution to the situation. Once done you can burn it (safely!!!) or bury it, allowing the intention that you release your emotions and that the Universe hear your concerns and possible resolution, hand it over and leave it be!

Call on your Angelic Team- Sit quietly and ask your angels/guides to come in. Now picture in your mind the situation or individual- imagine angels wings surrounding you and when ready release the situation to the angel wings allowing them to float away to the light. The angel wings will carry away all energy and take them to be transformed for a Higher purpose.