Forgiveness Practice: How to Forgive and Set Yourself Free
By Nicole, Founder of Mystic Ryst
Forgiveness is not about condoning what happened or letting someone off the hook—it's about setting yourself free from the prison of resentment, anger, and pain. When you forgive, you're not doing it for them; you're doing it for you. Forgiveness is the key that unlocks the chains keeping you bound to the past.
What Forgiveness Is
Forgiveness is releasing resentment and the desire for revenge. It's letting go of the emotional charge around what happened. It's choosing peace over being right. It's freeing yourself from the burden of carrying pain.
What Forgiveness Is NOT
Not condoning the behavior. Not forgetting what happened. Not reconciling or staying in relationship. Not weakness. Not immediate or easy. Forgiveness is strength, courage, and self-love.
Why Forgive
Holding resentment is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die. It only hurts you. Unforgiveness keeps you stuck in the past, blocks your energy, affects your health, and prevents you from moving forward. Forgiveness sets YOU free.
Who to Forgive
Others who hurt you: Parents, partners, friends, anyone who caused pain.
Yourself: For mistakes, choices, not knowing better. Self-forgiveness is crucial.
Life/God/Universe: For what you've been through, what you didn't get, how things unfolded.
The Forgiveness Process
1. Acknowledge the Pain
Don't bypass or minimize. What happened hurt. That's valid. Feel it fully.
2. Understand the Impact
How has holding this affected you? What has it cost you? See the price of unforgiveness.
3. Choose to Forgive
Make conscious decision. "I choose to forgive." It's a choice, not a feeling.
4. See Their Humanity
Hurt people hurt people. They were doing the best they could with their level of consciousness. This doesn't excuse it, but helps release.
5. Release the Charge
Let go of the emotional energy. Breathe it out. Give it to the universe. Set it down.
6. Reclaim Your Power
Take back the energy you've given to this. You're no longer a victim. You're free.
Forgiveness Practices
Ho'oponopono
Hawaiian forgiveness practice. Say: "I'm sorry. Please forgive me. Thank you. I love you." Repeat until you feel release.
Letter Writing
Write letter to person (don't send). Express everything. Then write forgiveness. Burn the letter.
Mirror Work
For self-forgiveness. Look in mirror. Say "I forgive you" to yourself. Mean it.
Meditation
Visualize person. Send them love and light. Say "I forgive you. I release you. I am free."
Cord Cutting
Visualize energetic cord to person. Ask Archangel Michael to cut it. See yourself free.
Forgiving Yourself
Often the hardest. You did the best you could with what you knew. You're human. You make mistakes. That's how you learn and grow. Forgive yourself. You deserve it.
Self-forgiveness affirmations: I forgive myself. I did the best I could. I am worthy of forgiveness. I release guilt and shame. I am free.
When Forgiveness Is Hard
It's a process, not an event. You may need to forgive multiple times. That's okay. Each time releases more. Be patient with yourself. Seek support if needed—therapy, spiritual guidance, trusted friends.
After Forgiveness
You may feel lighter, freer, more peaceful. Or you may feel nothing at first. That's okay. The effects unfold over time. Notice what shifts. Celebrate your courage. You've freed yourself.
Forgiveness Affirmations
I forgive and I am free. I release all resentment. I choose peace over pain. Forgiveness heals me. I am no longer bound to the past. I forgive myself and others. I am free to move forward.
Final Thoughts
Forgiveness is the greatest gift you can give yourself. It's not about them—it's about you. It's choosing freedom over bondage, peace over resentment, your future over your past. When you forgive, you reclaim your power, release your pain, and open your heart to love again. Forgive. Not for them. For you. Set yourself free.
