Perhaps the most difficult part of the Ascension Process is to understand the meaning of Forgiveness. We all would like to point fingers, scream out loud about our pains and suffering, demand justice, request that the “bad ones” must be eliminated and removed right now, and so on and so for.

Without noticing, we are keeping ourselves still trapped in the lower vibrations of the duality experience. Even when we forget about this, we choose to be here. Each incarnated being, before coming to the physicality, decided which experience (or experiences) it would like to have in a lifetime. If a being would like to experience forgiveness, another being would necessarily need to come to our lives and “play the role” of the one who will make something “bad” to us, so we would experience pain and would learn to forgive. The parable “The Little Soul and The Sun” explains this situation brilliantly.

Learning to forgive will help us to vibrate in Unconditional Love. To help you to understand the meaning of forgiveness, we collected some quotes about the meaning of forgiveness:

As we know, forgiveness of oneself is the hardest of all the forgivenesses.

Joan Baez

We must develop and maintain the capacity to forgive. He who is devoid of the power to forgive is devoid of the power to love. There is some good in the worst of us and some evil in the best of us. When we discover this, we are less prone to hate our enemies.

Martin Luther King, Jr.

Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.

Martin Luther King, Jr.

• The power of deciding to forgive – and why it’s hard
• “HOW DO I FORGIVE THEM?”
• 1. Know that forgiveness is possible
• 2. Make the choice to forgive
• 3. Make a list
• 4. Expose the anger
• 5. Make the commitment
• 6. Consider the other person
• 7. Acknowledge the other person’s humanity
• 8. Softening your heart
• 9. Take the pain
• 10. Reflect and discover
• 11. Repeat the process
• Decree of Forgiveness

The power of deciding to forgive – and why it’s hard

The act of forgiveness may just be the single most powerful antidote for the pain caused by others.

Forgiveness does not mean that you simply “forgive and forget.” Nor does forgiveness mean that you absolve the person of their actions.

Forgiveness, instead, is letting go of anger, and instead choosing to compassionately release the desire to punish someone or yourself for an offense.

Yes, forgiveness is a choice. Yes, you can forgive yourself. But here’s the thing: while we may accept these statements on the surface, we often have trouble following through on the act of forgiveness – be it forgiving ourselves or someone else.

Why do we have this trouble? Because of our emotions. Because we rationalize things. After all, we are not responsible for their actions.

Maybe not, but you are responsible for yours. You’re responsible for your actions. Plus, you’re solely accountable for your emotions and thoughts.

You’re responsible for mitigating the damage inflicted. Ultimately, you are responsible for forgiveness.

But, even more importantly, you’re responsible for your happiness and peace of mind.

“HOW DO I FORGIVE THEM?”

According to Dr. Robert Enright, a pioneer in the scientific study of forgiveness, we can implement a four-phase model to help us learn how to forgive ourselves and others.

1. Know that forgiveness is possible

Before we can learn how to forgive, we must first believe that forgiveness is possible. We must, at a minimum, accept the notion that forgiveness is a feasible solution to the problem.

2. Make the choice to forgive

“People should not be forced into forgiving,” Enright says, “I think it’s important that people are drawn to it.”

As mentioned, learning how to forgive doesn’t entail excusing someone or forgetting about their past behaviors. Understanding this – and forgiveness’ positive influence on your emotions – allows us to look at forgiveness in the right light.

3. Make a list

This step works by making a list of everyone – going back to childhood – who has harmed you in some way. After the list is created, prioritize by ordering the names starting with who has hurt you the most.

Start off by forgiving the individuals toward the bottom of the list and make your way up.

Take the time needed to process the emotion; you’ll know when it’s time to move to the next step.

4. Expose the anger

“This step is kind of a checklist,” Enright says. “How are you doing in terms of your anger? How have you been denying it? Are you angrier than you thought you were? What are the physical consequences of your anger?”

Enright concludes “Once you look at those effects (of your anger), the question becomes, Do you want to heal?”

5. Make the commitment

After step 4, you’re ready to commit to the act of forgiveness. “Once people have completed phase one and seen how the effects of the anger have made them unhappy, there’s a tendency to give this a try,” says Enright.

6. Consider the other person

Now that you know how to forgive, this step is where the “work” of forgiving starts. It involves thinking about the person in a new way. Were they hurt in any way? If so, did their hurt possibly contribute to yours?

7. Acknowledge the other person’s humanity

“You were both born, you will both die, you both bleed when you’re cut, you both have unique DNA and when you die there will never be another person like you. And given the humanity that you share with this person, is it possible that they might be just as special, unique, and irreplaceable as you are?” asks Enright.

8. Softening your heart

Knowingly or unknowingly, the other person’s actions have hardened your heart a bit. Eventually, if you practice the type of forgiveness prescribed by Dr. Enright, you should begin to feel the healthy release and letting go of anger.

“It’s a tiny glimmering of compassion,” Enright states.

9. Take the pain

It’s normal to feel strong emotions at this point. Enright says that there’s a dose of pain involved; but that this pain ultimately allows us to move on.

“(Pain) builds self-esteem because you’re saying, ‘If I can see the humanity in the one who didn’t see the humanity in me, and if I can soften my heart to the one who didn’t to me, then who am I as a person? I’m stronger than I thought.”

10. Reflect and discover

“Typically, people are more aware of the wounds in the world,” says Enright. “They become more patient with people who might be having a bad day; they see the people are walking around wounded all the time, and they’re generally more aware of others’ pain and want to be a conduit for good.”

There’s certainly a reflection period involved when the pain passes. You realize: (a) you’re stronger, and (b) you’re happier.

11. Repeat the process

Know how you started out with a list? Well, after a certain period, it’s time to get back after it.

Decree of Forgiveness

You can use this Decree of Forgiveness, published by Judith Kusel, when you would like to ask for forgiveness, forgive yourself and forgive the others. This decree can be repeated as often as you feel the need for it. You can repeat it daily, or when you feel guided to do so. If persons come to your mind, then make work of whatever you need to forgive, release, cleanse, and clear away.

I forgive everyone who has ever hurt or harmed me,
Consciously or unconsciously,
In this life or any other.
In every plane, level or dimension known or unknown.
I offer them Grace.

I ask for forgiveness for anyone I have ever hurt or harmed,
Consciously or unconsciously,
In this life or any other.
In every plane, level or dimension known or unknown.
I ask for Grace.

I forgive myself for anything I have ever done
to hurt or harm myself and another,
consciously or unconsciously
In this life or any other.
In this universe or any other.
In every plane, level or dimension known or unknown.
I accept Grace.

I am free.

All chains and restrictions fall from me.

I stand in my power as a master.

So BE IT and so IT IS.

References:

~ Psychologists Explain How To Forgive And Truly Let Go Of The Past:
https://www.powerofpositivity.com/psychologists-explain-truly-forgive-someone-let-go/

~ Judith Kusel:
https://www.facebook.com/judith.kusel/posts/3109352379096020