President’s Message

Forgiving the Dark Shadow, our “Shadow Self”

In last month’s newsletter I questioned where our biases, attitudes, fears, deeper anger and history come from. What have those hidden or repressed memories done to us? What person have they created? What ghosts do we bring forth into our present world / life? Maybe not consciously brought forth, but those suppressed, repressed memories.

It’s been called the “Shadow Self”. Our “shadow self” refers to the unconscious aspects of our personality that we may repress, reject, or hide. These can include emotions, fears, desires, or traits that conflict with our conscious self-image or societal expectations. And…”it refers to the parts of ourselves that we may deny or suppress, often due to perceived negativity or shame”, according to Wikipedia.

They are the painful ghosts of our past. The Past! But, with a firm refusal to accept the truth of them, they are still shackles to emotional freedom, a cross to bear. Suppress or release them, it’s our choice!

Can we forgive our self or our perpetrator, for our situation, our pain? Do we want to, dare to dig up the old hurt and pain or stuff it down further? Why? Why dig it up? We’ve survived! We should Celebrate! Yes celebrate, because survival is our victory, the Win. But how? With more repression? Let’s get totally rid of it!

Dr. Joe Vitale* writes about a Hawaiian teacher, Dr. Hew Len, in his book “Zero Limits”, who cured / cleared dozens of criminals of their psychosis, their hidden anger. His method bears repeating. It is called “Ho’oponopono” * A spiritual Hawaiian technique. In my telling of it, it’s pretty simplistic. Dr. Vitale writes in depth for the deeper understanding of the technique. … “I’m sorry, Please forgive me, Thank you, I love you”.

He didn’t clear their painful burdens of their past, their hidden anger and pain, they cleared it themselves by repeating as often as they could when “the demons” appeared … “I’m sorry, please forgive me, thank you, I love you”. Not just to the “others”, but to and for themselves as well!

That last part is important, and hardest. “I love you”. Forgiveness equals Freedom. Release from the anger and pain, knowing, accepting the impact on your life and the lessons of your life, and forgiving it!

Ho’oponopono is a very simplistic approach to getting rid of our “stuff”, our deeper emotional burdens. It may work for you, or not, but at the very least, it’s part of the exploration of who we are and who we’ve become on this journey of life.

And, like many things, the choice Is always ours. Forgive, Release, Love, very Unitarian! Are we brave enough, strong enough for this challenge, this freedom?

Namaste, Chas

PS. *There are arguments about Dr. Vitale’s use of and profiting from, and possibly misconstruing of Ho’oponopono, by some native Hawaiians.