The healing power of forgiveness in grief: why forgiveness is essential for your mental health.

Losing a loved one is a deeply painful experience that can leave you grappling with complex emotions. But what happens if the one you lost has hurt you? What do you do?

So amidst the sorrow, you may find ourselves facing the challenge of forgiving the person you have lost. How do you do that? You may even question why forgive at all?

While forgiveness may seem inconsequential when the person is no longer present, it holds immense importance for your own mental health and wellbeing. You need to find a final resting place in your heart for your loved one, no matter how much he or she hurt you.

Here, I will explore with you why forgiving someone who has passed away is crucial for our healing journey and how it can positively impact our mental health.

Honouring the full spectrum of emotions.

In grief, you may find yourself drifting on the waves of anger, drowning in a sea of sorrow, or pulled adrift by the tides of resentment. Grief is just so multifaceted!

But by choosing to forgive, you allow yourself to acknowledge and validate these emotions without getting stuck in a cycle of negativity.

Practising forgiveness through mindfulness, meditation and yoga will help you find a safe space to explore and express your feelings. This in turn will lead to a healthier emotional release for you, reducing the risk of prolonged mental distress.

In seeking clarity in grief, mindfulness activities, such as journaling, yoga mat and breath practice, as well as meditation may help shine a light on your state of mind and any kind of behaviour patterns.

You may find anapanasati meditation – the practice of observing the breath in meditation – particularly useful here.

Breaking free from the chains of hurt.

Unresolved conflicts and negative emotions can create a cycle of pain in you that may continue long after the mourning period. By forgiving, you will break free from this cycle and release yourself from the burden of carrying unresolved issues.

Forgiveness allows you to let go of the past and focus on healing, creating space for personal growth and emotional wellbeing.

I know, easier said than done!

When it comes to breaking the cycle of pain, you may wish to practise chord-cutting or ho’oponopono – a powerful Hawaiian practice to help instil a sense of reconciliation and forgiveness in your heart.

Using ho’oponopono, with a rhythmic breath cycle may help you release the pent up negativity you may harbour.

Using these practices together with energy healing – perhaps, reiki, or pendulum healing – may also help you find balance in this challenging circumstance.

It’s tough, I know. But it can be done, even if a step at a time.

Cultivating inner harmony and serenity.

Forgiveness is an act of compassion and care. By letting go of resentment and anger towards the person who has passed away, you invite inner peace and healing into our life.

As we release negative emotions, we make room for positive emotions such as love, compassion, and understanding.

This shift in perspective fosters a sense of serenity and harmony within ourselves, promoting mental wellbeing.

This in turn will help you connect and relate with your loved ones, your community and colleagues, with care and compassion.

When you let go of the poison, it has a ripple effect on your life and the lives of those around you.

Nurturing meaningful connections.

Forgiveness allows you to honour the memories of your loved one in a positive light. By choosing forgiveness, you create space to focus on the meaningful connection you shared and the positive aspects of your relationship.

This shift in perspective enables you to hold the memories favourably and find solace in the bond that transcends your physicality. This in turn fosters emotional healing for you.

Embracing growth and resilience.

Forgiving someone who has passed away is a transformative journey that helps you to grow personally, and builds your resilience. It challenges you to develop empathy, compassion, and understanding.

By practising forgiveness, your emotional strength develops, enabling you to navigate future challenges with grace and compassion.

Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong.

Choosing to forgive someone who has passed away is an act of empowerment and self-care. It is a process that allows you to honour your emotions, break free from the cycle of pain, find inner peace, strengthen connections, and promote personal growth and resilience.

Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong.

Mahatma Gandhi

By embracing forgiveness, you take a significant step towards healing and achieving optimal mental health. As you journey through the complexities of grief, let the transformative power of forgiveness guide you. It has a profound impact on your wellbeing.

If you would like to work with me using mindful and meditation methods, coupled with energy healing, contact me here.