Forgiveness and The Divine Flow, Part 2

August 1, 2010

Dear Friends,

Last week I wrote about the important role that forgiveness plays when it comes to living life in the divine flow. The general idea was that unforgiveness is an indication that you are in ego—a judgmental state of mind that limits your ability to be in the flow, because the ego is not open to divine direction.

I went on to suggest that you practice forgiveness by looking beyond a person’s outward behavior to see the innocent spirit that lives at the core of his or her being—that divine spirit that comprises his or her Authentic Self.

But what if you are still feeling extremely hurt or exceptionally angry over a perceived offense? What if you are willing to forgive, but willingness alone just doesn’t seem to be enough to get you over your emotional hurdle? Well, here is a technique I find helpful in instances like that:

Whenever I feel extremely judgmental towards someone, I imagine something that might have happened to that person as a child that would explain his or her behavior. Could that child have been abandoned, neglected, or ignored? Could that child have been given adult responsibilities too early in life? Could that child have been physically abused?

I then see the person that I need to forgive as still that child . . . still using the same coping mechanism that may have once served to protect him or her from an intolerable circumstance . . . or still behaving in a way in which he or she was conditioned to behave.

Whenever I do that, I immediately feel compassion for that individual, and forgiving him or her becomes much, much easier.

That doesn’t mean, however, that I condone that person’s behavior. And it doesn’t mean that I am going to tolerate that behavior any longer, either. I see nothing wrong with holding someone accountable for his or her actions, establishing boundaries to protect myself, and taking steps to shield others from being harmed, as well.

The difference is, I no longer condemn that person for their perceived shortcomings. Instead, through eyes of forgiveness, I look upon that individual as a wounded soul who wants nothing more than to be healed of that wound through my compassion and understanding.

Try it. You will be surprised at how quickly some situations transform when people sense that you are no longer attacking them with your judgments. And, of course, you will be amazed at how your forgiving attitude puts you right back in the flow . . . once again open-minded enough to receive and perceive G.O.D.—the Guidance Of the Divine.

Steven

© 2010 by Steven Lane Taylor
Author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat:
A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow
www.rowrowrow.com