Episode 3: How to Practice Forgiveness for Yourself and Others

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Discover the power of forgiveness with this transformative episode. Whether you're struggling to let go of self-judgment or harboring resentment toward someone else, this practice offers a gentle path to peace. Learn a simple, effective tool to release anger, embrace compassion, and free yourself from the weight of unresolved hurt. Join us as we explore the healing mantra, “I forgive you for not understanding,” and feel the shift within your mind, body, and soul. Ready to reclaim your inner peace? Tune in now.

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Episode Transcript

Brian Plachta (00:01):
Hello.
Thanks for taking some time foryourself to gain some spiritual
tools to put into your toolboxto live your life with deeper
peace, balance, wholeness,compassion.
Today let's take a look at theconcept of forgiveness.

(00:22):
Forgiving ourselves andforgiving others is probably one
of the hardest parts of ourspiritual journey.
It's hard to forgive ourselveswhen we fall short of our
expectations.
It's hard to forgive otherpeople who offend us, who hurt
us.
Yet there's opportunities togrow when we find the tools we

(00:44):
need to overcome that grumblinganger, that frustration seethe
within us like a teapot thatwants to boil over.
One of the easy tools you canuse whenever you need to forgive

(01:04):
yourself and forgive others isthis.
Find a quiet spot where you canbe alone for a few moments.
Close your eyes.
Take a couple of deep cleansingbreaths to just allow the
breath, the Spirit of God toflow within you.

(01:27):
Put a little smile on your face.
And then bring to mind somethingthat you need to forgive
yourself for.
Just name it with compassion.
It could be that you lost yourtemper with somebody, that you

(01:48):
failed at a project you'reworking on.
Whatever it is that comes tomind about yourself that you'd
like to forgive.
or need to forgive.
Just gently bring it to mind.
And then whisper softly toyourself, I forgive myself for

(02:09):
not understanding.
I forgive myself for notunderstanding.
Let those words flow within youas a healing mantra.

(02:31):
Allow the words to bathe yourbody with peace, compassion.
Notice in your body, as youwhisper those words, where in
your body do you notice the feltsense of your desire to forgive

(02:56):
yourself?
Where do you notice in your bodythat sense of forgiveness?
forgiveness for yourself withinyou.
You might feel it in yourstomach as a gentle ripple of

(03:19):
compassion.
You might feel a sense ofrelease within your body where
you let go of the tension ofjudging yourself.
You might feel it as a flow ofenergy, a flow of love in your
heart space.

(03:42):
Allow yourself to feel in yourbody the felt sense of your
desire to forgive yourself fornot understanding.
Next, bring to mind someonethat's offended you, someone

(04:07):
that's hurt you.
In your imagination, see theirface and then In your heart,
whisper these words.
I forgive you for notunderstanding.
I forgive you for notunderstanding.

(04:33):
Notice in your body the feltsense of your desire to forgive
that person.
Even if you don't want toforgive them, that's okay.
Just notice what the desire Toforgive that person feels like
within you.

(04:58):
Let that desire to forgive thisperson flow within you.
You might notice a sense offreedom within your body, a
letting go, perhaps a calm, agentle peace in your heart,

(05:21):
perhaps in your shoulders asthey release the frustration
with that person and desire toforgive them for not
understanding.
If your mind wants to get backinto the details about how the

(05:44):
person or how you offendedyourself, don't go there.
That's called the rabbit hole.
Don't go down the rabbit holeand try to figure out the
details again or try to changethe circumstances or Try to
figure it out.
Just come back gently to thespirit of forgiveness within you

(06:08):
with those gentle words, Iforgive you for not
understanding.
You can use this simple toolduring your meditation time and
throughout the day whenever younotice yourself needing to
forgive yourself.

(06:31):
And when you notice yourselfangry and frustrated at someone
that's offended you, instead ofgoing down the rabbit hole, use
this simple practice.
Close your eyes.
Bring a smile to your face torelease the calming endorphins

(06:55):
from your brain.
And then offer yourself, or theother the simple mantra, I
forgive you for notunderstanding.
Let the felt sense of yourdesire to forgive yourself, to

(07:16):
forgive others, bathe you inloving kindness and free you
from the judgments that we allhold against ourselves and
others.
May this Spiritual tool provideyou with what you need to return

(07:40):
to your natural state of love,peace, and joy.