There are some words in the English language that, when looked at from a different perspective, have a whole new meaning. This simple ability to present a word so that we see things differently is only the beginning of how we can change our perception of the world around us.
One such word is ‘disease’. Dictionary.com defines ‘disease’ as “a disordered or incorrectly functioning organ, part, structure, or system of the body resulting from the effect of genetic or developmental errors, infection, poisons, nutritional deficiency or imbalance, toxicity, or unfavorable environmental factors; illness; sickness; ailment.” This, I suppose, is what most people think when they see the word ‘disease’. What happens when you see ‘disease’ as ‘dis-ease’? Hmmm…interesting. ‘Dis-ease’ suggests you may not be at ‘ease’ or peace. Spiritual and natural healers alike suggest that all ‘disease’ is of the mind. Heal the mind and the body will heal too. This may explain the extraordinary stories we hear about people who miraculously heal themselves from ‘diseases’ that are thought to be terminal, with little or no allopathic medical intervention.
And what about the word ‘everyone’, a commonly used word in the English language? For those who aspire to the spiritual concept of ‘oneness’, look at ‘everyone’ as ‘every-one’. When looked at as ‘every-one’, doesn’t the word ‘everyone’ bring on a whole new meaning?
This brings me to the word I want to focus on for this passage. Forgiveness offers us tremendous opportunities for inner peace, joy and love in our lives. From a spiritual perspective, forgiveness is essential for spiritual growth and unlocks a door—it is a key—to higher levels of consciousness.
I was recently having breakfast with a spiritual seeker and we began to talk about forgiveness, or forgiving people. My brother confessed the word ‘forgiving’ did not resonate well with him. He expressed that the word ‘forgiving’ was fraught with Christian dogma. Even though I think forgiveness is one of the great gifts Christianity has offered to humankind, I understood my brother’s apprehensions about the connection between the word ‘forgiving’ and Christian teachings.
We went on to talk about forgiveness and ‘forgiving’ more. He expressed concern that the concept of forgiveness assumed you had done something wrong to begin with and that he wanted to get past all that dogma to something more creative and healing-oriented. I certainly understood where my brother was coming from. A Course in Miracles teaches that forgiveness is the realization that what you thought happened in the past actually never did. Therefore, what you thought needed forgiving never actually needed it in the first place.
My brother went on to express joy that he saw ‘forgiving’ as ‘for-giving’. And light bulbs of joy went off in my heart. Indeed…’for-giving’. Yes, we are here on this great journey called life for ‘forgiving’. But what would happen if everyone focused on being here in this time ‘for-giving’? If we truly embodied and embraced ‘for-giving’, we would never have to worry about ‘forgiving’. Because we would be wired ‘for-giving’ instead of taking, we would create and manifest the conditions that would be devoid of any actions that would require ‘forgiving’.
Words are only words. But sometimes when we see things differently, we see a whole new perspective on life. And sometimes words are part of that new perception and perspective.
Can ‘forgiving’ be replaced with ‘for-giving’? I think so, my friends. For-in-giving we receive. And in giving and receiving we create and manifest our heart’s purest desire—joy, inner peace and love.
Shanti, Namaste, Agapé,
Rev. Robert Meagher
Photo Credit: www.terrystarbucker.com (No copyright Infringement Intended.)
BIO:
Robert Meagher worked for almost 25 years in traditional corporate settings and acted in various management roles in the education, arts, financial, not-for-profit, government, consulting, and healthcare sectors. Along the way Robert earned bachelor and masters degrees and professional certifications. Robert left corporate Canada in 2009 to set himself adrift and explore a new way of living and seeing the world we live in. Robert is now an Interfaith Minister who embraces a spiritual life and now serves to guide all those who wish to accept the Divine into their lives. Through Spiritual Guidance, Robert’s ministry initiative, he embraces the opportunity to serve those who wish to explore their own spirituality and gain insight into who they are, their purpose here in this lifetime and existence, and their desire to grow in Spirit. Robert can be reached at 613-204-0299, [email protected], or through his website at www.servingyourjourney.com.
