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Forgiveness Forgiveness.
Its one of those highly charged words that either
gets people staring at the floor or debating over
just what is and what is not forgivable. It is one
of the easiest and yet most difficult things on
Earth one can do. Just about every world religion
has some teaching on the nature of forgiveness, some
sort of Prodigal Son story. Some spiritual
disciplines, such as those studied in A Course in
Miracles, maintain that true forgiveness pierces the
veil of illusion, allowing one to come to the
realization of the oneness of all.
The definition of forgiveness says that it is the
mental and/or spiritual process of ceasing to feel
resentment or anger against another person for a
perceived offence, difference or mistake, or ceasing
to demand punishment or restitution. So basically if
there is any person (or situation for that matter)
we really dislike, want to lash out at, or consider
getting even with, we have work to do. If we read
through this and start feeling uneasy or angry, we
have work to do.
Obviously, it takes great discipline to get to the
point where we can be like Mahatma Gandhi , who
forgave his own assassin as he lay dying, but
practicing the art of forgiveness is definitely a
worthy endeavor, if not just for the spiritual and
physical rewards one gains for themselves.
Spiritually, forgiveness helps hone us to be the
clean and clear channel our wise spiritual teachers
coax us to become, so that we may hear the voice of
Spirit much more clearly, and convey messages of
hope and enlightenment as opposed to messages with a
fearful or negative edge.
Physically, clinical studies have shown that that
people who forgive are happier and healthier than
their counterparts who hold resentments. Emotions
such as anger and resentment trigger the release of
hormone like substances such as cortisol, which can
have grave effects over time on the body, such as
memory loss, depression, fatigue, heart malfunction,
and the list goes on and on. For those concerned
with outward appearances, these same “stress
chemicals” also have a detrimental effect on the
skin and hair.
There are a great many resources for working with
the act of forgiveness, many just an internet search
away, or a quick conversation with a trusted
spiritual teacher. Wikiquote, on the online
encyclopedia, Wikipedia, has an entire collection of
quotations related to the subject. A Course in
Miracles has many helpful quotes and exercises on
attaining forgiveness, regardless of one’s affinity
to its teachings. An example is Lesson 249, which
states: “Forgiveness ends all suffering and loss.”
Some psychologists recommend a type of meditation in
which one simply visualizes those we need or wish to
forgive walking towards them in a beautiful meadow,
and telling them to their face in this safe mental
environment that they are released from any anger or
resentment. The act of forgiving in this case is
simply to relieve the client of past hurts and
traumas, without having to confront the perpetrator
in a physical setting.
Sometimes though, it just seems that it is helpful
to have something tangible, downright touchable to
remind and comfort us as we attempt to walk the
winding, narrow path that is forgiveness, and
fortunately for us, the loveable mineral kingdom is
more than happy to help. Certain gemstones and
crystals have been used for centuries as tools to
raise and/or balance our vibration so that we can
better attain lofty goals such as forgiveness.
Stones for forgiveness can be grouped by color,
starting of course with pink tones, since this color
is most often associated with love.
Rose Quartz - the most renowned gem of forgiveness
of course, which most folks have heard of, known for
emitting warm, positive vibrations of pure love and
forgiveness.
Rhodocrosite - an almost “hot pink” gem even in its
opaque grade, really pumps up the loving vibrations
when worn or carried with Rose Quartz, and can help
stir us to act upon them.
Rhodonite - most often an opaque soft whitish pink
semiprecious gem with black striations, has been
used historically for releasing resentment, and
drawing to its wearer the ability to see both sides
of a situation.
Tourmalines – good love and forgiveness gems.
Red
–for mending a broken heart, Pink – opens the heart
to unconditional love, Watermelon – (two toned)
teaches us to live in harmony with others, Black –
great for removing negativity.
Pink Calcite - also a forgiveness stone. |
Purple stones are often associated with spirituality
and higher ideals.
Amethyst – inner peace and spiritual transformation.
Charoite – light pinkish lavender to purple opaque
stone that instills unconditional love and
acceptance of others, helps with letting go of old
attachments and relationships.
Sugilite – often called Christ Stone, and Luvlite
for its spiritually transforming qualities. Absorbs
and dissolves anger and hurt, draws love and
understanding. |
Blue stones are thought to connect us with Angels
and instill tranquility.
Blue topaz – aids spiritual growth, insight.
Turquoise – often called friendship stone, a master
healer.
Angelite – draws Angels, healing, unconditional love,
peace. |
Earthy colored stones ground our spiritual ideals
into our physical bodies.
Red Jasper – helps with forgiveness by aligning the
heart energies.
Amber – draws negative energy away on both physical
and spiritual levels, so considered a “cure all” for
stress related ailments, among others.
Smoky Quartz – draws forgiveness to self or others,
helps ground our desires into the physical, and
repels negativity.
Green Jade – calms anxiety and harmonizes
relationships. |
These stones are a great addition to the quest for
forgiveness, and can be “supercharged” simply by
clearing (see August Angelic Wise Ones Newsletter)
and then forming an intention/program such as “you
will help me to forgive others”, or “so and so”,
then sending that intention through your hands and
into the crystal.
Remember that forgiveness is not limited to others,
and though often it is most difficult to bestow it
upon ourselves, it may be one of the most important
and helpful of our lessons on this physical plane.
There is a lovely anonymous poem/quote
that I have loved since childhood. I think it sums
it up. “Forgiveness is the fragrance the violet sheds upon
the heel that crushes it.” |
