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When a person decides to live her life based on the Reiki ideals, many wonderful changes will happen. Although forgiveness of others is usually not listed as a Reiki ideal, forgiveness is an essential step for healing oneself and living in wholeness. When a person remembers a painful event, and holds onto hurtful, distressing feelings, peacefulness is difficult, if not impossible, to attain.

Forgiveness does not mean the harmful words and actions targeted at you are acceptable. To forgive does not mean you condone or excuse harmful actions committed by another. Forgiveness is not for the other person, but for you. And, it does not mean you have to forget the action. Most likely, there are life lessons in the event – for both of you. Forgiveness is a purposeful action to heal the heart and soul of the one who was hurt. Holding onto pain, anger and revenge never serves one well; it can damage a person’s spirit even more than the original event.

Reiki is the great releasing force! As this powerful healing energy is brought into a person’s mind, body, and spirit aspects, anger and revenge can dissipate. However, Reiki is not a magic wand – have a session, and all the negativity goes away. Rather, the receiver opens up to the possibility of healing, is given spiritual nudges, and awakens to the true mind, body, spirit connection. Often, we need to use our minds, our thinking selves, to move negative energies from our beings.

True forgiveness is an active, mindful process. The first step in this process is making the decision – setting the intention – to forgive the person for the wrong they committed against you. This can be done privately, by making the statement silently. Or, you can write down the intention, to ground it. It can be the beginning of a journal entry, adding new thoughts and perceptions along the way.

Next, the forgiving one develops an understanding of what the other person’s intention really was. It is getting outside of your own thoughts and feelings, and stepping into the other person’s shoes. Journaling on this aspect can bring some objectivity and enlightenment, as empathy towards the other grows.

Then, the statement of forgiveness is made. Depending on the circumstances, it may be done face-to-face; through a delivered, or undelivered, letter; or stating it out loud, in private. The important aspect is expressing the statement and feeling the emotions in your heart. When these emotions are transformed, your energy moves from negativity to love.

Forgiveness is truly one of the most powerful healing experiences a person can have. When we become open to all the ways Reiki can bring love into our lives, the release of emotional baggage is always part of the journey. Reiki is always a powerful pathway to serenity and peace.