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Forgiveness...
It is not unusual for departed spirits and the loved ones they leave behind to have unresolved issues of guilt, and seek forgiveness from each other. Forgiveness is the great emancipator of the human spirit. Without it, we would not evolve as spiritual beings.
So, why does it take the passing of a loved one to make us realize how precious that person was? And why must we first die and then go through our "life review" with our angel guides to feel remorse for all of the things we did while we were in this world? The answer is that death is our ultimate moment of truth. Death forces us to face ourselves—itÕs our final exam.
This is where forgiveness enters the equation. It is through forgiveness that we can redeem ourselves—and then advance to a higher level of spiritual existence.
Forgiving and being forgiven is what unconditional love between humans is ultimately about—it is how we learn to love.
Remember, the laws of the spiritual universe are based on cause and effect. Sooner or later everything has to balance out. All of the unloving actions of our lives have a way of catching up with us—this translates into guilt. ItÕs amazing how we go through much of our lives dragging the burden of guilt around like a boat anchor.
Love is the ultimate state of mind, and forgiveness is its manifestation—it is the key element to understanding the "essence" of God. This means forgiveness, unlike guilt or fear, is a creative act. Therefore, because forgiveness is a matter of resolve between two spiritual entities, it is a "co-creative" act in which one consciously asks for forgiveness while the other gives it.
A man came to me hoping to make contact with his father who was four years deceased. SteveÕs relationship with his father had always been distant and strained. There had never been any affection between them. The usual symptoms generally associated with such a relationship, i.e., alcoholism, instability, divorce, abusive behavior, and lengthy periods of absence were not factors. Steve had been a good son. His father had been a decent, responsible man, and a good family provider.
Steve said, "My dad never showed any interest in my achievements. I never heard words of praise from him. I always felt like everything I did wasnÕt good enough or important enough in his eyes. In high school, I excelled in cross-country and track. My dad never once saw me run.
"And when I went on to college, I was an honor student, but my father didnÕt bother to see me graduate. It was like my dad resented me, but I never understood why."
The love and approval he had not received from his father in life, Steve now sought in his fatherÕs death. The only way SteveÕs sense of unearned guilt could be resolved was to confront his father.
We began our session with a quiet prayer. I asked my angel guides for assistance in bringing SteveÕs father into the session. Usually my guides will respond with a swift yes or no as to the spiritÕs desire to make contact. The response was a definite "Yes," the spirit was willing.
"Steve, IÕm getting the name Mack, is he your father?" "Uh huh, thatÕs him," Steve replied. "Mack is also giving me the name ÔVivie.Õ "
"ThatÕs his nickname for my mother, Vivian."
"Your father says the resentment he had towards Vivie is now goneÉhe is trying to communicate that to herÉshe always favored you over himÉhe hopes she can forgive him for all he put her through."
Somehow, that seemed to strike a deep chord in Steve, I could sense his emotions rising. Mack had more to say.
"Mack is telling me heÕs glad youÕre doing well; he knows he was difficult with youÉhe wants you to know he always loved you, but it wasnÕt easy for him to show itÉheÕs learning about being a better communicator. HeÕs showing me a man walking with a cane. Does that mean anything?"
"ThatÕs my grandfather LewisÉI miss himÉwe always had fun together."
"Mack says he and Lewis werenÕt close as father and sonÉthey didnÕt like each other very muchÉwait, heÕs showing me a picture of you as a boy sitting on LewisÕ knee, youÕre holding a pocket watchÉyour grandfather gave you lots of presents, didnÕt he?"
Steve chuckled. "Yes, grandpa was always good to meÉI still have that watch."
"Mack tells me he was jealous of your relationship with LewisÉnow he knows that was wrong. He and Lewis have patched things upÉ heÕs asking if he can patch things up with you?"
SteveÕs mouth flapped open; he wasnÕt expecting that. He sat there for a moment wearing an expression of stunned amazement.
"Yes, yes, I would like that," Steve replied.
"Mack is sorry for all the pain he has caused youÉheÕs asking for your forgivenessÉhe would like to hear you say you forgive him."
"YesÉof course I forgive him."
I couldnÕt help but marvel at the incredible love I felt flow out of that moment. It was like a warm embrace. Father and son were now united as they had never been before. They had truly bridged the gap between this world and the next—and bridged the gap between guilt and forgiveness.
CHRISTOPHER SCOTT is a lecturer and author of Beyond Death: Confronting the Ultimate Mystery $16.95+ Shipping. For an autographed copy contact him at: (909) 585-4385
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