Written by Raymond Salas
There have been times when forgiveness has been a challenging concept for me to accept. During these times, the voice of my ego would proclaim loudly to me “How can I forgive this, when I know that I am right here?”
After studying A Course In Miracles, this is no longer true for me.
In my study of the “Course,” I learned about the power of forgiveness:
As discussed in The Secrets of My Success, I now think about forgiveness in this way:
How to Forgive
Here is the process that I use to activate the power of forgiveness in my life:
Step #1:
First, I ask myself “Do I prefer to be right or happy?” If I prefer to be right, this is the voice of my smaller self (ego). If I prefer to be happy, this is the voice of my higher self (spirit). After hearing this voice (of my higher self), I am ready to move on to the next step in my forgiveness process.
Step #2:
I remind myself that regardless of who or what is involved in my “grievance” of the moment; everyone is doing the best that they know how to do (as we all are). I also recognize that although I may have my own ideas on what this best is, I cannot decide or choose it for any one else except myself.
Step #3:
I release my expectations that anything (or anyone) should be any different, other than how it is (or they already are). I have learned that all of my stress is created whenever I resist whatever is happening in the present moment. When I let all of this go, I am free.
Step #4:
I accept the possibility for a miracle (i.e., a change in perception for all involved, including myself). However, I have no idea what this miracle will look like. Therefore, I do not expect anything to be other than how it already is (as stated in previous step # 3).
Step #5
After completing all of these steps (in my mind), I let it all go, release the energy, and shift my focus back to what I do want to experience and create for myself.
I find it helpful to also remind myself:
Forgiveness and the Law of Attraction
In my daily application of the Law of Attraction, I realized that I have a unique opportunity to experience the power of forgiveness in a radical way.
In the process of deliberately creating my reality daily, I accept 100% responsibility for everything and everyone in my awareness, experience, and life. If any aspect of my life is not bringing me the joy that I desire in any given moment, I do the following:
First, I stop in that moment to relax and breathe.
As Abraham-Hicks suggests:
As Dr. Haleakala Hew Len, master of Ho'oponopono, the ancient art of Hawaiian problem solving, reminds us:
There have been times when forgiveness has been a challenging concept for me to accept. During these times, the voice of my ego would proclaim loudly to me “How can I forgive this, when I know that I am right here?”
After studying A Course In Miracles, this is no longer true for me.
In my study of the “Course,” I learned about the power of forgiveness:
“(Forgiveness) will remove all sense of weakness, strain and fatigue from your mind. It will take away all fear and guilt and pain. It will restore the invulnerability and power God gave (you) to your awareness.”
As discussed in The Secrets of My Success, I now think about forgiveness in this way:
“To forgive does not mean that you condone, agree with, or give your approval to anyone or anything. Rather, it is a powerful acknowledgment to yourself that ‘I am willing to let this go. I am willing to move forward in my life.’”
How to Forgive
Here is the process that I use to activate the power of forgiveness in my life:
Step #1:
First, I ask myself “Do I prefer to be right or happy?” If I prefer to be right, this is the voice of my smaller self (ego). If I prefer to be happy, this is the voice of my higher self (spirit). After hearing this voice (of my higher self), I am ready to move on to the next step in my forgiveness process.
Step #2:
I remind myself that regardless of who or what is involved in my “grievance” of the moment; everyone is doing the best that they know how to do (as we all are). I also recognize that although I may have my own ideas on what this best is, I cannot decide or choose it for any one else except myself.
Step #3:
I release my expectations that anything (or anyone) should be any different, other than how it is (or they already are). I have learned that all of my stress is created whenever I resist whatever is happening in the present moment. When I let all of this go, I am free.
Step #4:
I accept the possibility for a miracle (i.e., a change in perception for all involved, including myself). However, I have no idea what this miracle will look like. Therefore, I do not expect anything to be other than how it already is (as stated in previous step # 3).
Step #5
After completing all of these steps (in my mind), I let it all go, release the energy, and shift my focus back to what I do want to experience and create for myself.
I find it helpful to also remind myself:
“The only person hurt and impacted the most by your unforgiveness is you. Release yourself now and be free. Remember to tell yourself, ‘I am willing to forgive this now and be free.’ I know that it may take some time, especially with some areas of your life, but the first step must be taken by you, with your willingness. The greatest power you have is the power to change your mind.”
Forgiveness and the Law of Attraction
In my daily application of the Law of Attraction, I realized that I have a unique opportunity to experience the power of forgiveness in a radical way.
In the process of deliberately creating my reality daily, I accept 100% responsibility for everything and everyone in my awareness, experience, and life. If any aspect of my life is not bringing me the joy that I desire in any given moment, I do the following:
First, I stop in that moment to relax and breathe.
As Abraham-Hicks suggests:
“Next time you feel any discomfort… stop in the middle of it and say to yourself, ‘This discomfort that I’m feeling is nothing more than my own awareness of resistance. Time for me to relax and breathe. Relax and breathe. Relax and breathe.’ And you can, in seconds, bring yourself back into comfort.”Next, taking full responsibility for everything in my life experience, I forgive the part of my consciousness that created this aspect or “problem” in my life that is not bringing me joy.
As Dr. Haleakala Hew Len, master of Ho'oponopono, the ancient art of Hawaiian problem solving, reminds us:
“You don't have to know what the problem or error is. All you have to do is notice any problem you are experiencing physically, mentally, emotionally, whatever. Once you notice, your responsibility is to immediately begin to say, ‘I am sorry. Please forgive me for whatever is going on inside of me that manifests as (this) problem.’”
The Power of Forgiveness
How powerful is forgiveness?
Dr. Len says:
“We are perfect, made in the image and likeness of God, whole, complete, timeless. (Forgiveness and) the Hawaiian process of Ho’oponopono reminds me who I am whole, complete, perfect, made in the image and likeness of love.”
Furthermore, A Course In Miracles adds that forgiveness is actually the key to our spiritual awakening:
“The dreams forgiveness lets the mind perceive do not induce another form of sleep, so that the dreamer dreams another dream. They lead from sleep to gentle waking, so that dreams are gone. And thus they cure for all eternity.”
