The Role of Forgiveness in Spiritual Growth
Give yourself permission to start fresh. Give yourself permission to begin again. Give yourself permission to love and accept yourself. With the habit of being a perfectionist, I hid behind the mask of presenting ideally to those around me. Not allowing any 'flaw' to show. Not admitting I needed guidance. Not giving myself permission to fully be me. For years I was tried to be the perfect daughter, perfect girlfriend, perfect sister, perfect class president, perfect church girl. With all the masks, I couldn't really recognize myself. It wasn't until I begin sitting. Just by simply sitting (ie. meditating), I realized there were even layers to my self concept. This self identity that I had built to be palatable to others around me, both groups and individuals. With no regard to how I felt about myself. I was living in the gaze of others perceptions rather than my own purpose and passion.
Reflecting on this brings a rush of gratitude that washes over me. Because without these experiences where I limited my power, self-sovereignty and awareness - I wouldn't know the depths of my expansion. This intuitive knowing that I am connected to ALL THAT IS. That I belong on this planet as a unique expression of Source. That all those who surrounded me at that time where mirrors- reflections- of where my ego had to mature. I had no one to blame - not even myself.
You cannot forgive yourself until you learn the lesson of 'there is no one to blame.' - Not even yourself.
You, your Soul, came here for expansion, exploration and experience. Remember when you were fresh out the womb, so interested and curious about life on earth. After conditioning and social programming, there must be a path back to that simple, pure point of view. Life is experienced on the basis of perspective. As a child, it is natural to take on the perspective of those around you because it feels necessary to your own survival. Yet as you grow. As you tap into your intuition. As you experience. As you read this blog and the like. Something clicks within you, to know YOU ARE MORE. You experience life at the level of your awareness. It is okay that your level of awareness THEN isn't at the same level NOW. This is the root of where self-forgiveness begins.
For me, Meditation was my first step towards noticing where my path to self forgiveness lies. Maybe it is your's too. I created a Meditation E-guide for Beginners with different meditation styles, the scientific & spiritual meaning of mindfulness and the profound benefits of meditation. - click here to learn more.
Self-forgiveness is a profound and transformative act that not only impacts the relationship we have with ourselves but also ripples outward, influencing how we engage with the world around us. It’s a key element in the process of healing and soul evolution, offering us freedom from the past and the emotional burdens that we carry. The butterfly symbolizes transformation and self forgiveness because it never looks back at its previous form with disdain. Instead, the butterfly honors that stage of life as a caterpillar with deep presence. When we forgive ourselves, we reclaim our power and become more aligned with our true, authentic self. Here's how it works and why it's so powerful.
Healing the Relationship with Ourselves
Self-forgiveness allows us to heal wounds that have been caused by guilt, shame, regret, or self-blame. These emotions often keep us stuck in the past, reinforcing a negative self-concept. When we forgive ourselves, we acknowledge our imperfections and mistakes with compassion, understanding that they are part of the human experience. This is the point where true inner freedom lies.
By letting go of self-judgment, we release the emotional weight that holds us back. We shift from a mindset of self-criticism to one of self-acceptance and self-love. We begin to give ourselves the gentle nurturing that may have been missing in development. This shift in perspective nurtures a healthier, more balanced relationship with ourselves, where we can learn, grow, and evolve without constantly feeling "less than" or "unworthy."
Through forgiving yourself, a sense of inner peace and emotional freedom. Without sitting with myself and emotions, I wouldn't have accessed the parts of me that were bitter, hurt and confused. When you allow yourself to go within the depths of the tougher emotions, it builds self-respect and self-worth. We are allowing ourselves the opportunity to be seen as worthy of love, growth, and second chances. This is essential to a healthy relationship with the self while being the foundation for all other relationships.
Allow yourself to be a masterpiece and a work in progress at the same time.
I'm on the path to master peace. Glad your'e joining me.
Till the next one ~ Sai 🪬