“To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover that the prisoner was you.” (Lewis Smedes-1921-2002/author and theologian)

To truly forgive someone, including yourself, of something that hurt you is a powerful release of negative energy. If you take a step back to look at your thought patterns from a neutral perspective, you will realize that any negative emotion continues to expand the more you dwell on it. By merely thinking that you cannot get over what happened solidifies that into reality.

We must always remember that we cannot understand another person’s mindset, past experiences that created who they are, or their own internal struggles. You make certain assumptions based on what you have observed, but you never truly know what another feels or ignites them to say or do certain things. Many people say they will forgive, but never forget. The problem with that mindset is that to never forget keeps a spark of the past alive within you. As it is with fire, all it takes is a spark to ignite a blaze. To truly forgive from the heart requires the complete elimination of any sparks of the past. You have the ability to do it; you simply have to make the conscious choice.

The practice of yoga and meditation has the power to let forgiveness emerge from your heart.

We all have choices with every thought, action, or lack of action. The choice to see the positive side or give in to the negative side is the issue. When you go through a difficult time, it has the capacity to make you a stronger and better person because of it. Instead of reviewing a negative experience, let it go. It is in the past. It only stays alive as long as you continue to re-visit it. Without certain experiences, perhaps you would not be able to have the compassion for people with similar circumstances. By learning from our experiences, we can use our knowledge to help others with their struggles. We’re on this journey together. I suggest that we learn from each other with the intention to help one another. Yoga helps you to learn how to live in the present instead of the past. As you master this re-training of the mind, the past loses its hold on you.

Yoga helps you help yourself at so many levels. It may initially help loosen tight the muscles that enable you to become more limber; however, more importantly, it also loosens the mental muscles that have a much tighter grip on your mind. With practice, patience, and perseverance, not only will the body become more flexible, but also the mind will learn to follow suit. You will have the revelation to free yourself from your own self-imposed prison and learn to enjoy the beauty of what is beyond those self-inflicted bars. Once you open the door within your heart and mind, you will never want to go back…especially when you see all the other doors that will open once you close the one behind you.