First of all, I would like to say that I have enjoyed this class so very much. I looked forward to my weekly discourses. Loretta does an amazing job of telling it like it is, in a clear, kind and loving way.
In my darkest night, I reached out, and there was light.
I found all the classes in this course to be of great interest. However Discourse 11, Letting go of the past, has been the story of my life. To me, letting go of the past is total and complete forgiveness. We can not totally heal our bodies until we totally forgive. Forgiveness is not a momentary thought, it's ongoing. There will always be someone to forgive.
"The Holy Spirit teaches you that your past cannot touch you in the purity of the present moment" This is a profound statement!
To err is human, to forgive is divine. Alexander Pope, An Essay on Criticism
English poet & satirist (1688 - 1744)
I totally relate to true forgiveness. After an extremely abusive childhood, I spent my late teenage years and early twenties contemplating ‘Why me?’ I read self help books, I made changes in my life, however, the nagging question of why me remained. I didn’t have great stories to share with my friends about early childhood or teenage years. It was when I realized that I had life lessons to be learned that I could forgive, let go and move on.
I thought it was all over, I loved my parents, I saw them, I laughed with them, but still there were some deep seated issues that had not been totally forgiven, I just wasn’t aware of what they were.
I had developed fibromyalgia, which is extremely painful. It was painful to raise my arms above my head, almost impossible. When my legs started giving out, I knew I had to do something fast.
I had a 12 year old son and there was no way, this was going to slow me down. I did many things to get rid of this disease, but one of the most important things I did was to forgive. It was in the darkest night that I reached out and found light.. Through many meditations and hypnosis I was able to let go of not only issues with an extremely abusive childhood but also physical pain. Today I am free of fibromyalgia, I am one of the lucky ones. Every time a pain seeps back, I work on forgiveness.
I believe that forgiveness is a very personal issue, sometimes in forgiving the other person doesn't know they have been forgiven. They may not even be aware they have done something to offend you. You forgive in the quietness of your heart, expect nothing in return other than a release, you enjoy the burden that has been lifted from your shoulders, from your heart. It is the cutting of the etherical cord that has been holding you back for so long.
It is interesting to note how different religions view forgiveness,
The Buddhist say forgiveness is necessary for good emotional health
Christianity says it is our duty as a Christian and that is why Jesus died for us. It is part of The Lord’s prayer.
The Hindus see people who can forgive to be very powerful
Islam’s say that forgiveness is necessary for peace
In Judaism, Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) when Jews ask for forgiveness of those they have done wrong to them the previous year.
There is actually a designated day of forgiveness, last year it was August 6, 2006 sponsored by the Wordwide Forgiveness Alliance. Forgiveness is necessary by everyone; for everyone as if we are going to have World Peace.
I like the meditation that Loretta offered in discourse 11. I would also like to suggest if you are forgiving childhood issues that you do a meditation to address your inner child, showing your inner child love and promising to protect it from future related issues.
Rev. Nancy Kuhn
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