Wounds of the heart that do not heal with time fester into emotional and spiritual dis-ease that can infect our entire life, creating distrust, diminishing the possibility for intimacy, and banishing hope. We often wait until the burden of carrying these wounds becomes so great we have no other life-giving option than to surrender and to begin to lay down the weight of anger, resentment, grief, and fear.
Forgiveness will not be possible until compassion is born in your heart.
— Thich Nhat Hanh
Forgiveness is one of the most powerful ways of healing emotional, spiritual, and even physical wounds, and yet to forgive, to truly forgive, is one of the most difficult things to do. Whether in relation to another person, a group, a Higher Power – or oneself-- forgiveness means letting go of the need and desire for revenge and retribution. In forgiveness, we release anger and hate in service of a greater good, be it one’s own peace of mind, restoration of a relationship, or a deeply held ideal, principle, or belief. The possibility of forgiveness also allows us to begin to hope-- hope, that at the very least there can be peace within and, perhaps, on some level, peace between. Hope is born of forgiveness, and hope is necessary if there is to be reconciliation.
When love listens, it listens with an ear and a heart to the unspoken.
— Daphne Rose Kingma
Forgiveness is a journey, and one that often takes a long time. Choosing forgiveness means choosing a path which is much like walking a labyrinth. It will take you deep into your own heart and soul, circling in and around, closer and closer to the center, asking much of you along the way. Then, forgiveness asks you to bring it out into your life, inviting compassion and forgiveness as a spiritual path and practice which can not only heal a core wound, but that may also renew the constellation of relationships that are your life and bring compassion where before there was distrust.
Forgiveness is an act of creation.
— Clarissa Pinkola Estes
The Hope of Forgiveness is a five day intensive for people who seek to embrace and deepen forgiveness in their own lives as well as for helping professionals who support others in forgiveness and grief work. We will meet in the beautiful and intimate setting at Metta Earth Institute on the western slopes of the Green Mountains. Each morning we will meet to deepen our understanding of forgiveness through teachings, dream work, and personal sharing. In the afternoon, participants will spend time in personal reflection in the natural world. In the late afternoon and evening we will gather to listen to what has been discovered during the day and bring the lessons into form through writing, creative arts, and ceremony. Participants may choose to enact an overnight solo mid way through the retreat to deepen the forgiveness work. The group size is limited to twelve (12) with two guides.
Explore how to begin and deepen the work of forgiveness:
- Learn the stages of forgiveness and which ones are relevant for you now
- Examine the differences between shame and guilt; forgiving and forgetting; acceptance and approval; self forgiveness and forgiveness of others
- Explore the elements of trust and how to rebuild trust
- Receive guidance from the natural world and dreams about healing and forgiveness
- Transform stories of hurt into stories of healing and compassion
- Receive individual support and guidance from the guides
- Learn practices that will continue the path of forgiveness in your daily life
