Last week, I was given the book, Testimony of Light, by Helen Greaves. For a long time, I’ve held the belief that those who’ve left this physical plane still exist (and can communicate with the living). Yet as I started to read this book (and especially the first chapter which seemed like it was really trying to convince the reader that this communication was real) I felt skeptical. I almost put the book down, but something deeper said to push past that skeptical mind. The feeling was more like, “Don’t give in to that small, cynical voice”.
I seem to be in a period of my life where lots of books on life after death (and near-death) experience are coming to me, and as I read them, one message stands out: Love. Now. Don’t waste your time here re-hashing complaints, grievances and stories of who did you wrong, or wallowing in guilt over who you have hurt. Criticizing anyone, including yourself, is a waste of time. Be prepared to forgive everyone for everything (including yourself) and do it now.
Maybe this is coming to me at this time because I am ready to hear it. I used to think that forgiveness meant contacting someone, talking it out, and re-establishing a friendly relationship with that person, but I’ve come to see that this is an immature view of forgiveness. Some people are not ready for a face-to-face connection, and may never be. Forgiveness happens in our own hearts. How do I know that I’ve forgiven? When I am clear, in heart and mind about “them”. If they walk into my life right now asking for forgiveness and I cringe, then I haven’t forgiven. If I think I’ve forgiven, but have really just shut them out, I’m fooling myself.
There is a beautiful scene in this book where Frances (the woman who has crossed over) is praying with others for someone who is in very bad (emotional and spiritual) shape. As this “group” gathered, the thought was,
“Let us feel a gentle, soft, healing Light, God’s healing Force, of the utmost sweetness and gentleness pour out from our souls to his. Let us ask that Light may come into this place: that it may touch him, comfort him…”*
I knew, when I read this prayer, that until I could feel this way about everyone, I still had work to do, and truly I am happy to know this. It is an important part of my work here…maybe the most important “work” that I will do. What is the purpose/mission/goal/meaning of my life? It is simple. Love. To Love myself and all others. Forgive myself and all others. To be my true self; happy, joyous, free, and peacefully alive.
“Forgiveness is not always easy. At times, it feels more painful than the wound we suffered, to forgive the one that inflicted it. And yet, there is no peace without forgiveness.” Marianne Williamson
*pages 50-51 from Testimony of Light by Helen Greaves
Mary Muncil ♡ Spiritual Counseling 
Thanks Mary. Talk about hearing what you need to hear when you’re ready to hear it! You did that for me today. I’m grateful as always for your candor and generous spirit.
Kathy
And thank you Kathy,
Loving, warm, and sweet thoughts from my heart to yours, Mary
Thank you for this, Mary. Like Kathy, I really needed to hear this today. Having read this will make my day, and my week, gentler than it might otherwise have been.
I really appreciate your thoughts Ingrid, and feel the energy of gentleness radiating from your heart, increasing in strength, and uplifting me as well. Love, Mary
I have heard, and your post supports that forgiveness releases the forgiver from carrying around the hurt ….. I have practiced and continue to practice “fake” forgiveness until I make it …. But the reward is always…… Peace!
This has been (and continues to be) one of my biggest “challenges”…just when I think, “I am really clear with… (either forgiving someone or myself), if I’m not completely clear, it comes up again with negative feelings that say, “A little more work here Mary”. But I can also see that my efforts (as you spoke about the fake forgiveness) have changed things for the better. Thank you Sandy, and a big hug to you today,
Mary
This post touches my heart so deeply…it’s like you were listening as I told my husband about the dream I had this morning and one that woke me up…so I recall every minute detail. While the dream was not about forgiveness it was about love…and a choice about wanting to be/look perfect versus demonstrating my love for someone. The only other ‘character’ in the dream (who I knew) other than myself, and the one who ‘taught’ me the lesson in the dream, was a dear friend who passed away, at a rather young age, over 25 years ago…and in the dream he presented me with a gift that had belonged to his dear wife who in the dream had passed away (but in reality she is alive and well!). It was clearly a ‘visit’ from Bobby…and it was so real and so meaningful…and the message was crystal clear to me…and relevant given a discussion I had been having with a recent house guest. It was a soft gentle feeling, with a powerful message…and I thank him for the communication…I’m still ‘shaking’ from it…in a good way!
Wowee! What a powerful dream/visit Kathye! Thank you for sharing this,
Love,
Mary
Amazing dream Kathye, what a gift.
Thank you Mary – it was so wonderful to read this, so loving so warm & so true. Perfect for me to read today xx
Dear Cara,
I’m so glad that you read/felt the post this way. When I read those words (of the prayer) that is exactly the spirit that I felt and I really wanted to share that energy. Thank you, and loving, warm thoughts to you today, Mary
Mary you have such a gift. Thank you for all that you share!
Dear Carolyn,
I really appreciate your thoughts. Thank you so much. I will take them (and the loving energy that is imprinted in them) into my heart today.
Love,
Mary
I have always thought I was unable to forgive. But now, reading your post, I realized that if I think of someone who has hurt me, and picture THEM in pain, my compassion wins out. Does that translate to mean I have forgiven them at some point, or does it just mean I have compassion?
Hope you can comment on this, Mary. As always, you make me think!
Hello Suzanne,
The energy of compassion is “higher” than anger/resentment and we know this because it feels better inside; it is truer to our divine/god/spirit center, and I think it is a wonderful step. I know that when I feel compassion for someone, I’ve made progress.
My ultimate “goal” in forgiveness is to see them as I would like them to see me; Joy-filled, happy, free. But I also realize that this doesn’t always come at once (although it has at times). It is my practice to stay with it until I only feel love in my heart for all concerned.
Love to you today,
Mary
Lovely, words to live by- thank you Mary!
Blessings to you Kim!
Thank you Mary for reminding us all about true forgiveness and the journey to finding the peace that comes with it. xoxo
I feel as though I am learning more about this every day Marian. Sending you the happiest, most loving thoughts today! Mary
So good to be reading this post Mary! It has prompted me to share what I once read about : which is the practice of Ho’oponopono… A meditative repetition of the words: “l love you, I am sorry , Please forgive me, Thank you.” This is rather like a haiku… Repeated as a sort of beautifully simple mantra throughout my day, it imparts such calmness and centering when I find my mind needing the right direction on this quest for the kind of forgiveness that, as you brought out , is mature and all encompassing.
Bobbie, that is absolutely beautiful, – I am adding it on to Mary’s post and copy/pasting this in my WFF folder. And everyone else’s comments, thank you as well!
Me too!
Thank you Bobbie, and I love what you said about finding the calm and centered place first, knowing that it will guide you/us in the right direction. I spent many years trying to force forgiveness (often wanting others to forgive me and “like me” again….when I didn’t like myself). Forgiveness (and all of the ways that I have approached it) has been (continues to be) a great teacher for me. Much love to you today, Mary
Love this!
I receive the Daily Om in my inbox, and besides the daily offering, there are courses you can also sign up for, – there are options to receive them without any donation, or a small donation as you see fit to help the author – I so benefitted from the course below on Letting Go with Forgiveness in this past year dealing with a family member who gave me plenty of material to work with, shall we say! It is an eight week course, – and there is plenty of material in each offering to keep you thinking and gently mindful of allowing new techniques and new ways of thinking to enter your conscious and unconscious mind as you ponder what it means to forgive and find peace. I’ll include the link below.
http://www.anaholub.com/store/e-courses/
Thank you for this link, Susan.
Perfect. This is right on target for me.
Thank you.
Sheryl in Indiana On Nov 18, 2013 7:31 AM, “White Feather Farm” wrote:
> Mary Muncil from White Feather Farm posted: ” Last week, I was given > the book, Testimony of Light, by Helen Greaves. For a long time, I’ve held > the belief that those who’ve left this physical plane still exist (and can > communicate with the living). Yet as I started to read this book (and > especial”
I am so glad it did Sheryl. Thank you. Love to you,
Mary
I’n new to your blog having found it through a first visit to Jon Katz’s blog. I like your message for today. A powerful step to take that is most often quite difficult. But something to work toward. I’m glad that I “found” your blog. ~yvonne
Welcome and thank you Yvonne….I am still working on this too! Love, Mary
“One message stands out: Love. Now. Don’t waste your time here re-hashing complaints, grievances and stories of who did you wrong, or wallowing in guilt over who you have hurt. Criticizing anyone, including yourself, is a waste of time. Be prepared to forgive everyone for everything (including yourself) and do it now.”
Mary, this is one big bite (byte) on my psyche. I think you’ve said it all.
As to those who have died being with us…I believe that as long as we want them to be, their spiritual energy will surround us. I believe after death, we live in the minds of those who loved us, who were part of our lives. When they die, we die or go on to live in other’s minds.
SandyP in a snowy afternoon, in Ontario, Canada.
Greetings of warmth, peace and happiness to you Sandy, and your snow-covered patch of earth!….and as always, thank you.
Love,
Mary
This is so beautiful, Mary. Thank you for sharing. I can’t help but have it remind me of the signs from the other side that I’ve been so blessed to receive from my animal friends. Especially my latest sign this past September from Joie who passed way too soon for me. But I thought you might enjoy the sign she left for me. It was so profound. It continues to help me live from that “soft, gentle healing light” that is all around us if we are open to it. http://joyfulpaws.com/blog/2013/09/update-on-my-sabbatical-being-open-to-signs-especially-from-our-animal-friends/
When we hear about an act of forgiveness in the world around us it strikes me that it is implied that it is a one time event, but what I take away from today’s post is that it is a process we continually rise to the surface to offer and accept…again and again. Thank you Mary and love and blessings to all.