It’s Time for Forgiveness

By Colin Whitby

Last week I was approached by someone representing the ‘I Choose Forgiveness Today’ campaign to review their new book Forgiving The Unforgivable  and to post their logo on my website. Whilst agreeing to do this I also reflected on a book I reviewed some time ago written by a dear friend Bonnie Starr Mandell-Rice. In her book ‘Beyond Forgiveness:Spiritual Alchemy’ she shared some wonderful and intimate learnings from her own experience, and whilst reading it I had an amazing experience myself.

I was reading Bonnie’s book on the train and as I changed from one line to another I sat in a coffee lounge where I ordered (automatically) an Americano with milk (this will be number 2 for the day!). A quiet voice was saying I should choose something like a calming tea, but this was overruled by the person who was in control of all body functions, like voice, movement and so forth. I watch as my voice orders the coffee, and then as I consume the coffee satisfied.

Later on the next train I tune into myself and notice, as always, that the coffee has had its usual effect. Instead of my energy running effortlessly through my body giving me a feeling of bliss and contentment, it felt a bit sharp and edgy, like water flowing over a rocky river bed, the lumps and bumps in the river bed (or my cells) trying to stop the smooth flow and creating currents and eddies.

Then I asked ‘what does this mean?’ as Bonnie suggests, and I saw myself hiding behind a slightly open door. It was like I was looking out to see if it was safe, but always ready to close the door quickly lest someone saw me.

Mentally I reached out through my heart and asked for forgiveness ‘I am so sorry to hide myself away, so sorry, please forgive me (I love you). Then I had the realisation that it was myself behind the door and myself looking on who were both forgiving each other. At this point I saw a line of slightly open doors snaking out into space where aspects of myself were sneaking a look through slightly open cracks. At once I felt them all open, each one was a reflection being held for me by my loved ones and people in my life. Each one bowed and waved as then opened their doors wide and stepped through (it brings tears to my eyes just typing it).

Then as the end of this snaking image of doors was a bright bright light, as each door opened more of this light became visible. This was my own God self that I was opening to and allowing in, to shine without hindrance or sabotage, to be here fully, now.

What an amazing shift, because up to this point I had the view that I’m fine, I’m on my path and am shining out for all to see, it’s the others that need to connect and ‘get on with it!’.

Now I can see they were lovingly reflecting back to me that although I have come a long way I still have quite some way to go. Now I know much more clearly how to ‘see’ or ‘hear’ my messages, how to see my reflection in all around me, and how to begin to forgive myself more deeply than ever before.

Now some 3 years later I am still drinking coffee (Latte now - it was a tough call!) but I did ask myself how things were going with the forgiveness. I looked again at the open doors and felt a wave of deep love flowing and heard the words ‘your forgiveness set us free, thank you’. What an amazing confirmation. I’m really looking forward to reviewing the book Forgiving The Unforgivable, it’s already having an impact!

With Love,

Colin.

Related articles:-

Beyond Forgiveness: Spiritual Alchemy by Bonnie Starr Mandell-Rice

This also sits so well with the Ho'oponopono process I have been using ‘I’m sorry, please forgive me, I love you’. It is suitable for all situations and, as my feedback confirms, it works too.

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