Welcome to day 9 of Soul Sustenance.
How many times have we walked away from a bad situation with a smile on our face and forgiveness in our heart?
This question may need many of us to think hard.
We all make mistakes and ask for forgiveness.
We even grew up being told to forgive and forget.
Yet when someone else behaves in a manner which is not right for us,
We hold on to anger,
Criticism,
Impatience,
Grudges,
Hatred,
Revenge and apathy.
To forgive is divine.
So if we are to identify a perfect gift that everyone needs today,
It would be forgiveness.
Giving and receiving it makes way for a world of love and harmonious coexistence.
We will also experience the enormous freedom and lightness when we let go of the baggage on the mind about other people's mistakes.
Forgiveness can be expressed in different forms.
Some of its shades and attributes are generosity,
Having the heart to excuse mistakes,
Openness,
Being more receptive to people and situations,
Thankfulness,
Giving gratitude to all that come into your life,
Warmth,
Making people comfortable,
Tolerance,
Having an easy eye for people's weaknesses,
Acceptance,
Embracing people along with their personalities,
Giving,
Using virtues to influence people.
When we stop focusing on others' mistakes or highlighting their weaknesses,
Practicing the above virtues becomes easier.
Let us select at least two virtues from the above list every morning and apply them during the day in any scene.
Let's dive into our meditation now.
Considering the self,
Come to a point of deep inner stillness.
Observe how the body is calm and relaxed.
The breath is flowing at a steady rate.
In and out.
In and out.
As you step away from the negativity around you,
You quieten the chatter of the fear-driven mind.
The thoughts are beginning to slow down as you tap into your inner intuition,
Which flows continually in stillness from your higher self.
Aligning inner desires with the higher self,
Take yourself on a journey where you,
The being of peace,
Can shower rays of peace to all fellow brothers and sisters of this world.
Imagine stepping into a hot air balloon.
The moment you take a seat in the basket,
The balloon begins to drift upwards.
You look at the scenes down below,
The unlimited natural beauty of the fields,
Lake,
Mountains around you.
As the balloon rises above,
The scenes down below appear smaller.
Your attention goes upwards and outwards.
You notice the horizon and see how the sun's rays are beaming over the mountains.
You begin to do the same.
With your pure and peaceful vision of love and compassion,
You radiate this very energy outwards and down below.
You appreciate all that has come into your life and send that appreciation to everyone and everything.
You accept all the scenes and sceneries,
Knowing that they are in perfect harmony.
You emanate warmth,
Giving comfort to all.
You tolerate the mistakes of others,
Knowing that they didn't know any better at that time.
You generously radiate love so that the mistakes are excused.
You continue to give out just like the unlimited rays of the sun,
Giving out unconditionally,
Knowing that what you give out will come back to you.
Envisioning a world of perfect balance,
Harmony and peace,
You spend a few more minutes absorbing the vastness and beauty around you.
You continue to take from the supreme ocean the qualities of love,
Gratitude,
Forgiveness,
Warmth,
Acceptance,
Openness.
Gently,
The balloon floats back to where your journey began.
And as you return back to the world,
You begin to reflect onto all those around,
The calmness and lightness you just experienced.
They too begin to experience a sense of kindness and inner peace.
Om Shanti.
Om Shanti.
