Forgiving Deceitful People
In the teleseminar “What is Consciousness Anyway?”, Dr. Hawkins said we need to become more loving to be able to move up to level 500. Then there was discussion about how can one be loving and develop in consciousness, while being stressed by deceitful people. A particular political figure was mentioned.
I think the answer is in forgiveness. Not forgiveness in the sense of someone has done something wrong and should be punished, and I forgive him for his wrong action (and aren't I wonderful?). There's a deeper level of forgiveness. If we can accept that all people have a spiritual essence at their core, then we can begin to see that a person's outward behaviors are really just an acting out of who they think they are at a surface level. True deep level forgiveness is seeing past the outer actions and acknowledging the spiritual essence at the core. We can forgive people for their actions which were based on who they think they are, which in turn is based on their upbringing, education, social background, and many other things, but not necessarily on who they really are.
When we can get to the point where we can consciously acknowledge the divinity within all people, in fact in all of life, then we begin to find ourselves getting to where we no longer find it necessary to judge others indiscriminately. Some traditions teach that to reach enlightenment one needs to give up attachments. The desire to judge others is a very strong attachment indeed. By addressing it through the act of forgiveness, we release ourselves from that particular attachment, and free up that mental energy for love and compassion.
Forgiveness as a regular practice can alter ones perspective and lead to becoming a more loving person. Some time back I began practicing forgiveness. I mainly practiced it as I was driving to work. A few days after I began I found myself experiencing happiness, for no apparent reason. It felt really odd to me, it wasn't something I was used to. It took a while for me to realize why I was feeling happy. As I drove to work, instead of mentally complaining about people not using their turn signal, or driving too slow to suit me, I forgave them. When I arrived at work, I didn't feel stressed, I felt happy. At first I only forgave people who actually annoyed me. In time though I began forgiving everyone in sight. I forgave people in cars in front of me, behind me, in the oncoming lane, at the cross street at intersections, even pedestrians. People didn't need to do anything wrong, I just offered forgiveness. The change of heart became so drastic at times, I was filled with so much happiness, that it frightened me a bit. Where there used to be distrust and defensiveness, now there's a lighter heart and more openness.
I think that the deepest levels of consciousness don't communicate in words. There can be many ways of describing spiritual concepts because the spiritual intuitions or impulses have to be translated into words for us to communicate them at the normal conscious level. I have a particular set of words I use for forgiveness, but the words themselves aren't the key. What's important is how we feel when we say the words, how they resonate within us. I've studied A Course in Miracles, so the words I use are in line with it's teachings. My point is that other words can work just as well. The words I use are “you are Christ, pure and innocent, all is forgiven and released”. I think the important part here is “all is forgiven and released”, not “I forgive you”. “I forgive you” implies “I'm right and you're wrong”. “All is forgiven and released” removes judgment. Whether “you” have done something wrong, or I have misunderstood the situation and judged inappropriately, either way the situation is released. I let go of attachment to it and free myself from it.
I believe if more people would practice forgiveness, really practice it, the consciousness level of the human race would expand dramatically. Instead of hovering slightly over the 200 level, it would soar up toward the 500's.
David Hawkins teleseminar on "What IS Consciousness Anyway?"
