Spiritual Solutions

Whenever you feel bitterness, resentment or unforgiveness, it is a time for-giving. If you truly forgive from your heart, in that moment letting go of whatever situation prompted the bitterness, resentment or unforgiveness you will find it is also a time for-getting. It is a time for getting a sense of peace, for getting in touch with the love in your heart, for getting an opportunity to express your true self, and for getting into the flow of love and harmony.

We hear it said, “Well, I’ll forgive, but I won’t forget.” Forgiveness is not an obligation or a “have to.” If you continue to feel the emotions and sensations around the situation, forget about forgetting; just focus on the forgiveness. However many times it comes to mind, forgive. Remember the response of Jesus when Peter asked whether he should forgive even seven times: “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven.” In other words, keep forgiving as long as it takes.

You see, for-giving is a form of giving which brings an appropriate return according to the sincerity of our actions. We must give in order to receive. And, of course, as in all our giving, our motivation must not be to get something in return, but for-giving simply out of the awareness that forgiveness is a choice and a necessary action for our own spiritual health. For forgiveness to be authentic, it has to be a choice and not a chore. Let it be a spontaneous flow of love and forgiveness toward the other person.

Forgiveness and understanding go hand in hand. Remember this, just like you, the other person is doing the best that he or she can at any given point in time. Forgiveness of yourself starts with self-acceptance, and forgiveness of others is the acceptance of others just as they are. Forgiveness is recognition that, in essence, we are all the same.

At all times, there is a wellspring of Infinite life, substance, and intelligence within you, and you can give way to its flow into your experience. Sometimes we block that flow, and the most effective remedy is to give and forgive. There’s an old saying that when things get tight, something’s got to give. And that means you. You must give, by giving way to the flow of infinite and eternal energy from which all things proceed.

One of the most effective ways of getting back into the flow is through giving. You may have been thinking lack, thinking “get” or the need to “get.” Now you need to “think give.” It’s the “give” in it that makes all the difference! The need is to think “give,” to give way to the inner flow. Jesus says, “The Father knows what you need before you ask him.” Couple this with the promise that it is the Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom, and we realize that the answer is always within.

When we think “give” and “for-give” not only will our thoughts be in the flow of spiritual power, which will invest our own words with creative power, but also we will become ready and willing channels for giving in life’s relationships, which in turn will draw even greater good to us. It is a continuing cycle that is always in evidence with the spiritual healthy-minded person.

Life is a flowing experience and, as Emerson says, ”Within every person is an inlet that may become an outlet to all there is in God.” All that is required is that we “give way,” let it be, or as Meister Eckhart said, “let God be God in us.” Think “give,” for life is lived from within-out.

Remember, God is Blessing You, Right Now!

Rev. Alan A. Rowbotham

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Rev. Alan A. Rowbotham, a Unity minister for over thirty-nine years, invites you to enjoy more articles and/or subscribe to his free inspirational newsletter, “Spiritual Solutions,” at www.spiritualsolutionsblog.com

Feel free to share this article in its entirety with a friend. You may also reproduce and publish this article if you also include this reference box. Thank you!

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The following is an excellent article by author Louise Hay that highlights the very important principle of forgiveness. The article has some very simple yet effective exercises you can use. I encourage you to put them into practice.

 Held Back By Your Past? – By Louise L. Hay

Many people come to me and say they cannot enjoy today because of something that happened in the past.

Because they did not do something or do it in a certain way in the past, they cannot live a full life today…

Because they no longer have something they had in the past, they cannot enjoy today…

Because they were hurt in the past, they will not accept love now…

Because something unpleasant happened when they did something once, they are sure it will happen again today…

Because they once did something that they are sorry for, they are sure they are bad people forever…

Because once someone did something to them, it is now all the other person’s fault that their life is not where they want it to be…

Because they became angry over a situation in the past, they will hold on to that self-righteousness…

Because of some very old experience where they were treated badly, they will never forgive and forget…

Because I did not get invited to the high school prom, I cannot enjoy life today.

Because I did poorly at my first audition, I will be terrified of auditions forever.

Because I am no longer married, I cannot live a full life today.

Because I was hurt by a remark once, I will never trust anyone again.

Because I stole  something once, I must  punish  myself forever.

Because I was poor as a child, I will never get anywhere.

What we often refuse to realize is that holding on to the past, no matter what it was or how awful it was, is ONLY HURTING US.  They really don’t care. Usually, they are not even aware. We are only hurting ourselves by refusing to live in this moment to the fullest.

The past is over and done and cannot be changed. This is the only moment we can experience. Even when we lament about the past,  we  are experiencing our memory of it in this moment, and  losing  the  real  experience  of  this  moment  in the process.
 

Exercise: Releasing

Let us now clean up the past in our minds. Release the emotional attachment to it. Allow the memories to be just memories.

If you think back to what you used to wear in the third grade, usually there is no emotional attachment. It’s just a memory.

It can be the same for all of the past events in our lives.
As we let go, we become free to use all of our mental power to enjoy this moment and to create a great future.

List all the things you are willing to let go of. How willing are you to do this? Notice your reactions. What will you have to do to let these things go? How willing are you to do so? What is your resistance level?

Forgiveness

Next step, forgiveness.  Forgiveness of ourselves and of others releases us from the past. The Course in Miracles says over and over that forgiveness is the answer to almost everything.  I know that when we are stuck, it usually means there is some more forgiving to be done. When we do not flow freely with life in the present moment, it usually means we are holding on to a past moment. It can be regret, sadness, hurt, fear,  or guilt, blame, anger, resentment, and sometimes  even  the  desire  for revenge. Each one of these states comes from a space of unforgiveness, a refusal to let go and come into the present moment.

Love is always the answer to healing of any sort. And the pathway to love is forgiveness.  Forgiveness dissolves resentment. There are several ways in which I approach this.

Exercise: Dissolving Resentment

There is an old Emmet Fox exercise for dissolving resentment that always works. He recommends that you sit quietly, close your  eyes,  and  allow  your  mind and body to relax. Then, imagine yourself sitting in a darkened theater, and in front of you is a small stage. On that stage, place the person you resent the most. It could be someone in the past or present, living or dead. When you see this person clearly, visualize good things happening to this person, things that would be meaningful to her. See her smiling and happy.

Hold  this image for a few minutes, then let it fade away. I like to add another step. As this person leaves the stage, put yourself up there. See good things happening to you. See yourself smiling and happy. Be aware that the abundance of the Universe is available to all of us.

The above exercise dissolves the dark clouds of resentment most of us carry. For some, it will be very difficult to do. Each time you do it, you may get a different person. Do it once a day for a month, and notice how much lighter you feel.

Exercise: Revenge

Those on the spiritual pathway know the importance of forgiveness.  For  some  of  us,  there  is  a  step that is necessary  before  we  can  totally  forgive.  Sometimes the little kid in us needs to have revenge before it is free to forgive. For that, this exercise is very helpful.

Close your eyes, sit quietly and peacefully. Think of the people who are hardest to forgive. What would you really like to do to them?  What do they need to do to get your forgiveness?  Imagine that happening now.  Get into the details. How long do you want them to suffer or do penance?

When you feel complete, condense time and let it be over forever.  Usually at this point you feel lighter, and it is easier to think about forgiveness. To indulge in this every day would  not  be good for you. To do it once as a closing exercise can be freeing.

Exercise: Forgiveness

Now we are ready to forgive. Do this exercise with a partner if you can, or do it out loud if you are alone.

Again,  sit  quietly  with  your  eyes  closed and say, “The person  I  need  to forgive is ___________ and I forgive you for ___________.”

Do this over and over. You will have many things to forgive some for and only one or two to forgive others for. If you have a partner, let him say to you, “Thank you, I set you free now.”  If you do not, then imagine the person you are forgiving saying it to you. Do this for at least five or ten minutes.  Search your heart for the injustices you still carry. Then let them go.

When you have cleared as much as you can for now, turn your attention to yourself. Say out loud to yourself, “I forgive myself for ___________.”

Do this for another five minutes or so. These are powerful exercises and good to do at least once a week to clear out any remaining rubbish. Some experiences are easy to let go and some we have to chip away at, until suddenly one day they let go and dissolve.

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About the Author
Excerpted from You Can Heal Your Life, ©1999 by Louise L. Hay. Louise L. Hay is a metaphysical lecturer and teacher and the best selling author of 27 books, including You Can Heal Your Life and Empowering Women. Her works have been translated into 25 different languages in 33 countries throughout the world. Since beginning her career as a Science of Mind minister in 1981, Louise has assisted thousands of people in discovering and using the full potential of their own creative powers for personal growth and self-healing. Louise is the owner and founder of Hay House, Inc., a publishing company that disseminates books, audios and videos that contribute to the healing of the planet. To learn more, visit Hay House: www.hayhouse.com
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Remember, God is Blessing You, Right Now!

Rev. Alan A. Rowbotham

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Rev. Alan A. Rowbotham, a Unity minister for over thirty-eight years, invites you to subscribe to his free inspirational newsletter, Spiritual Solutions.

Please feel free to publish this article in your blog or newsletter or share it with a friend, as long as you include this resource box.

If you’d like to receive weekday inspirational quotes, you can subscribe at Rich Words.

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RENUNCIATION

l5th Day, Friday. Read Matthew 18:21-35.

The accumulated effects of sins of past lives, is a burden that those who accept it expect to carry for ages, or until they work out of it. They are weary treadmill travelers from birth to death. There is no such hopeless note in the doctrine of Jesus. He came to bring a full consciousness of abundant life, complete forgiveness, redemption from all sin, and victory over death and the grave.

The law is Truth, and the truth is that all is good. There is no power and no reality in sin. If sin were real and enduring, like goodness and Truth, it could not be forgiven but would hold its victim forever. As I enter into the understanding of the real and the unreal, a great light dawns on me, and I see what Jesus meant when He said, “The Son of man hath authority on earth to forgive sins.”

The Son of man is that in me which discerns the difference between Truth and error. As I get this understanding, I am in position to free my soul from sin and my body from disease, which is the effect of sin. In spiritual understanding the I AM of man forgives or “gives” Truth “for” error; the mind is set in order, and the body healed. The moment man realizes this he puts himself in harmony with the Truth of Being, and the law wipes out all his transgressions.

In His name I affirm: “The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus makes me free from the law of sin and of death.”

Questions:

1. For what purpose did Jesus come?

2. How did Jesus convey to us the truth that there is no power and no reality in sin?

3. What happens when we enter into an understanding of the real?

4. What in us discerns the difference between Truth and error?

I rejoice in the truth that there is no power and no reality in sin. The place in my thoughts that had been occupied with past disappointment and past mistakes is now filled with an understanding of God’s freeing love.

Remember, God is Blessing You, Right Now!

—————————————————–             

 Rev. Alan A. Rowbotham, a Unity minister for over thirty-eight years, invites you to subscribe to his free inspirational newsletter, Spiritual Solutions.

Please feel free to publish this article in your blog or newsletter or share it with a friend, as long as you include this resource box.

 If you’d like to receive weekday inspirational quotes, you can subscribe at Rich Words.

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There’s a story from when Charles Fillmore, co-founder of the Unity movement, was still alive and at Unity Village. It’s told that a young girl who was working there came to him and said, “Oh, Mr. Fillmore, I dreamed last night that I became so spiritual that I could fly.” He responded, “Well then, that’s all very well but are you so spiritual that you can pay the rent?”

Charles Fillmore was very focused on his Christianity being practical Christianity, on applying the truths of being to every aspect of our lives.

I want to share with you some of the prosperity truths that are recession, depression, and inflation proof. You will enjoy using them often. Let me share two with you now, starting with a quote from Charles Fillmore right here at the beginning. He says, in his book Prosperity, “The law of supply is a divine law. This means that it is a law of mind and must work through the mind.”

In other words, prosperity, health, well-being, all of those aspects of our life which we equate with prosperity, must come through our prosperous thinking. And our mind can be trained to think prosperously in simple and delightful ways that will bring satisfying and delightful results into our lives. <!–[if !vml]–>

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I dreamed I had an interview with God.

“So you would like to interview me?” God asked.

“If you have the time” I said.

God smiled. “My time is eternity.”

“What questions do you have in mind for me?”

“What surprises you most about humankind?”

God answered…

“That they get bored with childhood,

they rush to grow up, and then

long to be children again.”

“That they lose their health to make money…

and then lose their money to restore their health.”

“That by thinking anxiously about the future,

they forget the present,

such that they live in neither

the present nor the future.”

“That they live as if they will never die,

and die as though they had never lived.”

God’s hand took mine

and we were silent for a while.

 And then I asked…

“As a parent, what are some of life’s lessons

you want your children to learn?”

“To learn they cannot make anyone

love them. All they can do

is let themselves be loved.”

“To learn that it is not good

to compare themselves to others.”

“To learn to forgive

by practicing forgiveness.”

“To learn that it only takes a few seconds

to open profound wounds in those they love,

and it can take many years to heal them.”

“To learn that a rich person

is not one who has the most,

but is one who needs the least.”

“To learn that there are people

who love them dearly,

but simply have not yet learned

how to express or show their feelings.”

“To learn that two people can

look at the same thing

and see it differently.”

“To learn that it is not enough that they

forgive one another, but they must also forgive themselves.”

“Thank you for your time,” I said humbly.

“Is there anything else

you would like your children to know?”

God smiled and said,

“Just know that I am here… always.”

-author unknown  

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