Namaskar.
Before we start the forgiveness meditation.
Let's understand what is forgiveness.
There is a common misunderstanding.
About forgiveness.
Many people resist it.
Because they assume it means saying that what happened was acceptable.
Or that the other person wins.
That is not what forgiveness is.
Forgiveness is simply the decision.
To stop carrying something that is hurting you.
The event happened.
And it cannot be undone.
Weather.
It was done by you or someone else.
It doesn't matter.
But you are still carrying the weight of it right now in your body.
In your nervous system.
In the way it visits your mind.
Uninvited.
In form of thoughts,
In form of feelings.
Sometimes anger,
Sometimes guilt.
Forgiveness is setting yourself free from it.
So,
Let's start.
Please sit comfortably.
Close your eyes.
Take a breath.
And let it go with a long exhale.
Now.
Bring to mind a person,
A situation or even something about yourself.
That you have been holding resentment or judgment towards.
You do not need to examine the whole story again.
Just let the feeling arise.
Notice where you feel this in your body.
Where does the heaviness of it live?
In your body.
Is it in your chest?
Is it your stomach?
Your jaw.
Just notice it.
Acknowledge it.
Maybe it has been there for a while.
Now consider this.
Holding Resentment.
Is like holding a hot coal in your hand.
You are waiting to throw it at someone.
But it is your hand that is burning.
Buddha used to Give an example.
That having anger towards someone is like drinking poison yourself.
And expecting someone else to die.
And ascend.
Anger.
Is like that poison.
Or a burning coal in your hand.
See inside yourself.
I am willing to set this down.
Not for them.
For me.
I am willing to stop letting this moment from the past continue to affect this moment right now.
I am willing.
That is enough.
You do not need to feel complete forgiveness right now.
Willingness is where it begins.
Take a breath into the place in your body where you felt the resentment.
Send the breath there like a messenger.
And on the exhale,
Imagine releasing just a little of the grip.
Not everything,
Just a little.
You can let go in stages also.
Again,
Breath in.
Exhale.
Releasing a little more.
And if you're willing.
Say this in your mind.
I free you from my mind.
And in doing so I free myself.
I free you from my mind.
And in doing so,
I free myself.
Sit with what arises.
Grief is sometimes part of forgiveness.
Let whatever comes move.
Without judging it.
You did not deserve to carry this.
For as long as you have.
And today.
You are beginning to put it down.
Take a final breath.
LET THEM EXHALE Carry the last of what you are ready to release today.
This is not the end process.
But it is a real beginning.
Om Shanti.
Om Anand.
May you live.
A blissful life.
