Forgiving yourself can be a tough one because the person who feels angry, and the person you’re angry with is the same person – YOU!  We get stuck in self-judgment.  We can’t let ourselves off the hook.  Maybe we betrayed our own integrity.  Maybe we betrayed someone we love.  We think we are bad and we don’t know how to get over it.

1) See your own innocence.  Close your eyes and imagine your childhood self.  See how innocent that child is?  If they did do something wrong – they didn’t do it on purpose!  Their intentions were pure.

They are beautiful.  Sweet.  Loveable.  In your higher self, take them in your arms and hug them.  Give them some of the love they never had.  Drink it in for a while.

2) Understand and Accept.  Close your eyes and imagine the you who did something you’re not proud of.

From your higher self, look upon that unforgivable person.  Ask yourself, “What motivated the unsavory behavior?  Did it come out of a deep wound?  Did it come out of loneliness?

Depression?  Despair?  What would have made me behave in this way?”  Find a reason.  If you can’t find one, make up the most plausible reason for the moment (this will help you get close).  There is ALWAYS a reason we do what we do.

3) Love yourself.  Free yourself.  Open your heart.  Close your eyes and see the “bad” part of yourself and hug them.  Imagine love pouring out of your heart and showering them with it.  You may imagine that she resists it.

That’s ok – stay with it anyway.  Shower love.  Say, “You made a mistake, but I know that you are good in your core.  The mistake can be repaired.  Love will show you how to make repairs with those whom you have wronged. I give you the gift now of release.

You may start anew here.”  Let the love seep into the places that you cannot forgive in yourself.  Let it wash you.  If you stay with it, it will change these places… you’ll feel and visualize shifts happening right before your inner eyes.  Let the sighs come.  Let the ease come.  Feel the pressure lift.

Do this every day until you can see yourself differently.

4) Clean things up with others.  If it’s possible, repair the damage with people you have hurt.  Make amends.  That’s all that’s required.  If you are sincere, they will know, and you will know.  Constant and repeated repentance is not necessary.

You’ve heard it before – you’re human.  You make mistakes like everyone else.  The TRUTH is – there is no mistake you could make in all the world that would make you un-lovable.  There is no action, word or thought that is un-forgivable.

Spiritual growth means we must do the deep work of self-forgiveness.  Until this work is complete, we’ll have trouble moving on into healthy relationships with others.  The Universe doesn’t make mistakes.  Every moment is a brilliant opportunity for spiritual evolution.  Self love is the beginning.

 

 

Paige Bartholomew is a licensed psychotherapist and a devoted student of Sufism for 17 years.  She is ordained with the station of Sufi Master Teacher by the Shadhuliyya Higher Sufi Council.  She is a long-time spiritual healer, student of A Course in Miracles, shamanic journey guide, energy healer, certified hypnotist and passionate writer about consciousness and existential issues. Be watching for her upcoming Book: The Soul Map: Understanding the Divine Path of Soul Evolution, where these concepts, and so many more, are explained in glorious detail!