Flow of Forgiveness
Our ability as humans to have a mind and body conscious connection is incredibly unique and intricately intertwined within our figure. Simply put, our thoughts, feelings and beliefs have an immense impact on our physical wellbeing. Mind-body therapies and mindfulness practices, like yoga, meditation and breathing are beneficial in the unionization of a person. By allowing space for stillness of the mind, we can find inner peace and create self-awareness.
Essentially, emotions are the energy in motion that helps to weave through the ins and outs of life’s obstacles. It is only human to feel the feelings and embrace all emotions and thoughts. Although, it is necessary for the mind to not be obsessed, gripped, or controlled by these feelings. The process of finding inner peace and contentment starts with acknowledgement, acceptance and ends with liberation. This is called the flow of forgiveness – energy filled emotions within the motion of life.
What makes up the flow of forgiveness are three categories of emotions that are inventible for the human species to feel and feel intensely. Embracing our emotions as human beings is a learned skill that takes patience, time, and recirculation.
The first type of emotions falls within the cathartic category and are vital to the human design. These energy-filled emotions are joy, love, empathy, tolerance and contentment. To experience these emotions is to experience genuine pleasure within ourselves and what life has to offer.
Contradictory to pleasurable emotions is of course emotions which come in the form of sadness, fear, shame, and even worry. This energy group often weighs heavier on the mind and body because these emotions are often intense and very vivid. Although this thick cloud of energy tends to hover like a gray cloud, it is what classifies humans as a unique species who has the distinct ability to grow, learn, communicate, and even take control of our own environment.
The last energy filled step of motion is often grouped as toxic emotions and what the Hindu theology refer to as the six enemies, or shadripu, in Sanskrit. They are: krodha (anger), kama (desire), mada (pride), lobha (greed), matsarya (envy) and moha (attachment). The six enemies are emotion filled toxins that slowly destroy every ebb and flow of motion in the body which can prevent humans from achieving moksha, or liberation. If left uncontrolled or gone unnoticed, Shadripu can infinitely linger and cling to the most vulnerable moments in the past, present, and future.
It is unrealistic to assume a complete escape from this emotional filled energy roller coaster but do not fear, when faced with challenge there comes a solution. The solution is embracing and fully immersing in the path of forgiveness. Liberation is fundamental to achieving freedom, but forgiveness is the answer to moving on with life and making peace with the past. Johns Hopkins Medicine has researched about the relationship between forgiveness and health as their studies presented the following, “the act of forgiveness can … lower the risk of a heart attack; improve cholesterol levels and sleep; and reduce pain, blood pressure, and levels of anxiety, depression and stress” (Johns Hopkins Medicine, Health).
Forgiving yourself is just as or more important than forgiving others when aiming to achieve in moksha. Most importantly, as this concept should never stray far from the mind, forgiveness does not excuse the harm and wrongdoings of others. Forgiveness also does not undermine or justify the wrong that has been done to you. Everyone has a seat at the table, but it does not have to be located at the seat directly next to you. Embrace the flow of forgiveness and be one with the flow of energy that creates the motion of life.
By sprinkling micro-practices throughout your week you’ll find that before you know it, you have almost effortlessly built a new routine into your life. Thank you for being part of the YOGA365 community!