Forgiveness -- Good for the Body and Soul

Perhaps the strongest poison to the human spirit and body is the inability to forgive oneself or another person. When I say “forgive” I mean letting go, releasing your anger, bitterness, fear and hurt. Forgiveness is different than saying “I lose” or “I was wrong” and it does not mean that you will ever allow or condone the behavior or injustice to occur again; however, forgiveness is letting go of your own suffering and your own pain and it is an ongoing process.

Forgiveness is necessary to free your spirit. The first step in this process of forgiveness and moving forward with your life is “Releasing”. When you release the hurt, bitterness, anger or whatever negative emotion you are experiencing, you take back control of your own life. By releasing you feed your spirit and regain your power. You increase your capacity for joy, love and happiness beyond measure.

This is not easy. As Dr. Edward M. Hallowell, a Harvard psychiatrist and author of “Dare to Forgive” states, “Forgiveness… has to be cultivated; it goes against a natural human tendency to seek revenge.” It is for this reason that he recommends getting help to accomplish this.

Trying to accomplish this with your conscious mind alone is a slow and uncomfortable process. A process that can be made much easier with the help of hypnosis. By using relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, imagery, visualization and positive suggestions and by accessing the subconscious and conscious mind as well is not only an effective way to help with the releasing and letting go process, but a pleasant experience. Clients often say that they experience a feeling of peacefulness and euphoria during and after a session.

This may be why hypnosis, by using both the conscious and subconscious mind and positive statements and suggestions while a client is in a fully relaxed state can enable a client to more easily focus on what needs to be forgiven and released. Working from the inside out, more easily releasing the negative thoughts that have been harmful to you and freeing your spirit.

In addition, you could save your life. Thirty years ago we were told that Type “A” personalities were more likely to suffer heart attacks. It has been discovered that this is only partly true. Further investigation has revealed that it is anger, resentment and hostility that are the problem, not ambition or competitiveness.

Because these issues are so important to our overall health, I have developed several mini-sessions to deal with these various aspects. They include Anger, Releasing, Healing and Love.

There is an ancient Cherokee story that goes something like this:

There are two wolves fighting for control in each person. One is evil: Anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego. The other is good: Joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith.

"Which wolf wins?" The Cherokee answer is very simple, "The one you feed."

Holding on to your resentment, hurt and anger keeps that person in your thoughts and in your mind thereby giving them power over you by controlling a part of your life. Isn’t it time to take back control?

Linda Simmon, C.Ht.
www.newhypnotherapy.com