Forgiveness is a sacred and somatic experience. Pain and resentment reside not only in the recesses of one’s mind but also within the organs, tissues, fascia, and cells of the body. The release from this burden comes through forgiveness, an essential element in healing from trauma. In Greek, the word “forgive” translates to aphiemi, meaning to set free, to let go, to release, to discharge, or to liberate. With a firm commitment to healing both the mental and physical bodies, one aligns with the energies of forgiveness, redemption, and restoration. This is the energy of grace, love, and peace.
Speaking in terms of emotional vibrational frequencies on the Hawkins Scale, peace and love rank among the highest energetic vibrations, leading to an expansion of consciousness. Forgiveness serves as a bridge to these elevated vibrational energies. Conversely, choosing the lower end of the scale leads to contraction, where energies are mired in resentment and revenge. Embracing forgiveness opens the door to a higher vibrational reality, a gift available to all.
It’s important to note that forgiveness does not excuse anyone’s actions or behavior; rather, it restores personal power to the one who has been harmed. I think of forgiveness as giving the energy back to God for transmutation. We are not meant to carry it. We “let go” of or “release” (i.e. forgive) the distorted energy from the body—a process akin to internal alchemy. Holding on and seeking revenge only perpetuates the cycle of pain, adhering to “an eye for an eye” mentality.
Forgiveness can feel impossible because it is disempowering and invalidating to a victim. Navigating the path toward forgiveness requires us to address the pain while maintaining our dignity, self-respect, and boundaries. I’ve personally struggled with minimizing and invalidating my own feelings in the past by excusing someone who fails to take responsibility for their actions, even when I’ve taken full accountability for mine, both internally and externally. However, clinging to pain, anger, rage, and resentment only adds more toxic energy to the situation—energy that can only be healed by love and grace. Releasing the energy to God, allows for transformation, enabling the heart, body, and mind to evolve and view the transgression from a higher perspective. We are not required to accept the other person and their actions or behavior; that is left between their soul and God. Holding onto pain and resentment obstructs the flow of peace and grace internally, whereas forgiveness allows spirit to work through our body.
Though it may seem impossible to see beyond the depths of such profound trauma, one doesn’t need to understand how; all that’s required is to make a choice. By inviting the energy of healing and choosing to forgive, one surrenders to the present moment and offers up density and revenge. In this offering lies the unveiling of a new path, with vitality returning to the soul and a deep peace enveloping the body. Choosing forgiveness is an act of courage—a restoration of personal power to the one who has been harmed. In this journey, victims become victors, and the wounded become heart-warriors.
Image by Georgia De Lotz.