By Sasha Gary
One morning I was so angry that I was betrayed and made a fool by a “friend” for well over a year. I was so angry when I realized what he had done. For many years I was just a reactive person. Hot-tempered, passionate, whatever you like to call it. I started meditating twenty-six years ago to help me with finding more peace in my life. All of these years later, I was still reactive.
My place of solace is at the beach. I know that if I can walk it out, breathe in the fresh air, and by the time I return to my home, I have let go of whatever it was that was bothering me. That morning I decided to walk to Marina Del Rey and back to Venice, and by the time I was finished, my body was calmer, my mind felt more at ease. As I started walking off the beach and I crossed the threshold of sound where the ocean stops the echoing noise of the waves crashing, and you leave the vortex of peace behind, I felt a rage of fire rise from my belly up into my chest. I knew right then, and there, my anger was still fueled inside of me.
I also knew that I had to forgive him right then, right there in the essence of that beautiful healing energy of the ocean. I knew that I had to forgive him for me! I knew that if I didn’t forgive him, I would be living with that fire inside of me. I said a healing prayer of I forgive you for….
I walked off the beach that day and never felt that anger again. I would run into him with friends, and I wasn’t the least bit reactive. Forgiveness is so powerful. It’s very important to understand it’s never about the other person. It’s always about you! So you can go on and live your life in peace and tranquility.
I love the healing powers of the ancient Hawaiian tradition of p—a healing practice of forgiveness. An ancient spiritual practice originated in the Polynesian Islands of the South Pacific and later Hawaii. You begin by admitting responsibility. It doesn’t matter who is right or who is wrong. You say, “I’m sorry”, You ask for forgiveness, “Please forgive me.” You express your gratitude by saying, “Thank you.” and you give love by saying, “I love you.” You can use this technique to clear out any negativity in your life, like that fire in my belly, or you can forgive yourself. It’s a beautiful, harmonious practice of the highest energy levels of forgiveness, gratitude, and love. It’s extremely powerful. You can do this with a partner face to face, and connect on that energy level between the two of you and feel it together, heal together.
I’ve used this practice, and the other person doesn’t even know it’s about them, because it’s for me. This technique of Ho’oponopono reduces stress, improves your overall health, and will improve your relationships and the most important relationship with yourself. Forgiveness lowers your stress hormones, reduces your blood pressure, and strengthens your immune system.
This practice may not be easy at first, but you do get used to it. Once you feel the healing powers you know, just like I did that, I needed that healing in that moment. Stay positive and focus on living your best life.
You can move on with your life without forgiving someone. However, this anger that is repressed will come back up in some other way, or you will be stuck at a point, and you can’t move past it. The anger can grow deeper inside of you, and you are the person who is angry all of the time. You continue to blame and stay hurt.
Forgiveness brings happiness and peace, and what a beautiful way to live your best life. I love that smile that comes across my face for no reason other than the happiness is shining through. Walking away from people or things that do not bring you happiness will make you smile as you walk out of their lives. That makes me smile even more. Going inside and doing the inner work will bring that happiness and peace, breathwork, and meditation will bring you peace and more love into your life. Focus on the good, not the bad energy of anger, hate, resentment, and betrayal. Visualize yourself in a happier state until you begin to live in that state. Expressing more gratitude for the lesson you learned that had brought you to this place of forgiveness. You can always find gratitude in everything. Say thank you for the lesson, and I am ready to move on! Next, next! It may take time to get there and find peace and compassion in your heart until you get there.
