We live in a very unique time in human history. We are in the process of shifting our social consciousness from a place of fear and separation to a place of love and connection. This shift is giving birth to the next evolution of Humankind.
Welcome to day one of the new era in humanity. The beginning is here. We are becoming one global community. As we start the next 5,300 year cycle of the Mayan calendar, much of the world is celebrating their annual holidays.
What do the holidays mean to you?
To one-third of the human population it means Christmas.
What is the meaning of Christmas to you?
For many years I dismissed Christmas as a holiday of compromise between Catholics and pagans. Most historical scholars agree Jesus was not born in December. The actual history of Christmas is a blend of the pagan winter solstice celebration and the Catholic mass celebrating the birth of Jesus. Throw in Saint Nicholas and gift giving and before you know it the story of baby Jesus becomes a celebration of consumerism. Regardless of your personal beliefs or religion, now is the time to hear the message Jesus lived; love and forgiveness. It has always been my belief that “forgiveness” was the greatest teaching of Jesus. The crux of the Christian religion is that He died to forgive all of us for our sins. I believe His “life” was greater than His “death.” The example that He lived showed the importance of forgiveness.
The feelings we hold toward others affect us far more than those for whom we hold feelings. Love brings even more joy to ourselves than to those we love. Hate brings more pain to us than to those we hate. Unforgiven pain causes mental and physical dis-ease to those who harbor it. Learning to forgive is the greatest exercise we can do for ourselves. Sometimes it is even more difficult to forgive ourselves than it is to forgive others. Forgiveness is a form of acceptance. True forgiveness is unconditional. We do not have to understand or agree with others to forgive them. We do not need them to see that they did wrong. We can know that they did wrong and let it go. It is ego that makes it so difficult to make this happen. Being “right” will not make the pain go away. True forgiveness will. Acceptance leads us to forgive and allows us to receive. Forgive and you will be forgiven. An enormously powerful gift, forgiveness cleanses the soul and heals giver and receiver. Of all the gifts we give the two most meaningful are free.
My gift to you this Christmas is Ho’oponopono
Ho’oponopono is a native Hawaiian spiritual practice. Essentially, it means to make it right with the people with whom you have relationships. We carry inside us as parts of the Unconscious Mind, all the significant people in our lives. Ho’oponopono makes it “all right” with them. The process of Ho’oponopono is to align with and clean up our relationships with other people in our lives. The traditional Hawaiian practice is a profound 12 step process. The Western method of Ho’oponopono has been simplified. It can be used for any situation which causes you to feel out of alignment with the essence of love. There are four easy to remember phrases; “I’m sorry. Please forgive me. I love you. Thank you.”
1) I am sorry. Take responsibility for your actions. Clearing your conscience of your mistakes will enable you to think positively and heal. You are responsible for both your thoughts and your actions. It is natural to feel remorse for wrongdoing; it is unhealthy to hang on to the guilt and negative feelings.
2) Please forgive me. Ask people you have offended or harmed to forgive you. Also ask God or a higher power for forgiveness. Ho’oponopono also requires you to forgive others for their mistakes. Once you know you have been forgiven and have shown forgiveness, a burden will be lifted and you will be free to make better choices and live a more peaceful life.
3) Thank you. Show gratitude for all of your blessings. Be grateful that you have been forgiven. Tell the people in your life that you are thankful for them. Send gratitude to God for all that which he has blessed you. Write your blessings down on paper or in a journal. Expressing gratitude will make you feel happier.
4) I love you. Express your love of your family and friends. Make a list in your journal of what you love about the people around you. Knowing that you love your life and the people in it can heal your heart. Saying, “I love you,” expressing gratitude and asking for forgiveness ignites the self-transformation process.
I am sorry for any harm I may have done to you. Please forgive me. I forgive you for anything you have done against me. Thank you for being in my life. I am grateful for your presence. I am sending you love.
Aloha,
Mark