The benefits of forgiveness

CEBU, Philippines -  There are many other benefits to be gained from forgiveness. In fact many of the benefits are physical. Being clear of bad thoughts and feelings can help a lot in maintaining good health.

Breast cancer, in fact, can be one of the causes of un-forgiveness, says Lea Yakutiel in an article at www.selfgrowth.com. Yakutiel is a breast cancer survivor. “Fortunately, forgiveness helped me heal my breast cancer much faster than anything else,” she says. “I’m so grateful for this natural, powerful way of treating my disease. Yakutiel admits she also knows of some people who cured themselves of breast cancer just by forgiving.

Lea Yakutiel observes that, “generally speaking, it is often easier to forgive others than to forgive ourselves for our own mistakes.” She suggests, “The best way to learn how to forgive ourselves is to make a list of everything that we think we did – from minor mistakes to the bigger ones. Then let us forgive ourselves.”

You probably are asking yourself how Yakutiel does it – how she goes about the process of forgiving. Yakutiel is kind enough to share from her own experience. She says she keeps the following thoughts in mind:

“Just like me, this person I am mad at is only seeking happiness in her/his life.”

“Just like me, this person has known sadness, loneliness, and despair, too.”

“Just like me, this person is trying to avoid suffering in her/his own life.”

“Just like me, this person is learning about life.”

While she considers these thoughts, she puts herself in others’ situation and imagines feeling how they are feeling. In the process, she will begin to understand the behavior of the person who has hurt or offended her. She begins to be less angry at the person – and make forgiveness possible.

Yakutiel then allows her mind to go further. She would think:

“I now release all the negative energy that influenced my life and forgive those people who harmed me.”

“I choose to live in divine inspiration.”

“I am grateful for the divine inspiration I get.”

She says that by releasing any negative energy from herself, she let it drain out into the universe to cleanse it. If everybody does the same, there would eventually be less of the negative vibes that make life hard for people.

Even young people with no health complaint yet can use the same procedure in “forgiving” themselves, in clearing their system of negative vibes. In the end, they will have more focus on their studies and other important involvements and not be distracted by anger or hatred to other children who’ve been spiteful and unfriendly to them. The first benefit to be gained is feeling lighter about the world.

The benefits of forgiveness are too numerous to mention. Yukatiel mentions a few of these:

•           Faster rate of healing, both emotionally and physically

•           Relief from stiffness and chronic pains

•           Relief from depression and resentment

•           Increase in physical strength

•           Reduction of stress

•           Boosts the immune system

•           Better digestion

•           More positive outlook

•           Increased awareness and intelligence

•           More energy, more control (physically and mentally)

•           More restful sleep

•           Increased happiness

•           Friendlier, more tolerant behavior

•           Peace of mind

Is it at all difficult to forgive? Not really. It only takes determination and consistent effort to make a habit of it. It’s worth it – in terms of the many rewards it brings.  (FREEMAN NEWS)