These past four days I lived in a place where all hearts were wide open.
No, we weren’t all sitting around singing Kumbaya. Not at all. We were scientists, scholars, chaplains, grieving families, soul journeyers, mediums, physicians–you name it–all gathered together to share and to love. All sitting together for meals. Walking freely in the halls, the bookstore space, sitting at the coffee bar.
“Oh my God, is that Gary Schwartz?” I said to someone? He was just hanging out with us–one of the most respected researchers in the afterlife arena, a guy who risked his tenure to investigate rigorously the question “is there life after life?”
It was a beautiful long weekend.
The love that filled this space, this conference, was beyond anything I’d ever experienced. The people were all so nice. Total strangers spoke to each other and greeted one another in the hallways. Conversations were started between folks who would never have otherwise met. How does this happen?
Hearts open when the environment is one of TRUST. When we feel HEARD, that we are LISTENED TO. Hearts open to HONESTY, when we are able to state and breathe into our pain. When we seek and find some COMMON GROUND.
Hearts open when LOVE is freely given freely and unconditionally and received and that is so much easier than it sounds. And they open to FORGIVENESS.
I am no stranger to pain, to feeling misunderstood or badly treated. Forgiveness was a long haul for me but it was an end point I sought, knowing it would be a new beginning. And one day, my prayers were answered and I could forgive.
We must always remember that it isn’t about us at all. That people carry pain for many reasons that have nothing to do with us. And how they are has nothing to do with how we can be.
I see now that these are the ingredients for the most wonderful world I could imagine.
A world in which I want to live.
Being in this place of love has inspired me to open my own heart space more widely.
To more freely give love to others.
To live with kindness as my guiding principle.
To accept others where they are at any given moment.
It takes a lot of trust and vulnerability to live with an open heart. And, it takes practice. Sounds like this conference was a great place for those who needed to practice, safely, and for all who believe in the afterlife.
There is a place we can get to………it mostly happens to me when I am around kind people so I know just what you are referring to. I try to live my life so that the spirit can function fully through me. No easy feat for sure…it takes constant forgiving, constant awareness….I try to be alert, aware and reverent. Then I can be taught and guided. The problem is it wears off so quickly sometimes!!
But I do find that gratitude does make room for forgiveness. Cant wait to hear about the Bishops and Shamans….
Oh I just want to carry this, hold this, in my energy and remembrance. There have been times when I feel this love, this nirvana, this peace and connection on a soul level and know what that feels like to want to hold it. I’m so glad you’re sharing your experiences, Carol.
What a wonderful experience for you to have, Carol. Forgiveness is the key to living a peaceful life. Holding on to anger is useless and poisonous. There are so many reasons to feel pain, but being angry shouldn’t be one of them.
Carol, your weekend sounds like it was wonderful. It’s not often we get that feeling of total love and trust when with people we don’t know, but in this case, you had a commonality. I agree, forgiveness is key. I’ve heard some say “forgiving doesn’t mean forgetting” but for me, total forgiveness has helped me “forget” so to speak. I rarely think about those things that needed forgiven after I’ve totally let go. xo
God bless you. So glad you had a wonderful time at the conference. I’ve been to family and marriage building conferences through the Air Force with my husband. And, the blessing of forgiveness is beautiful the way you described it. I agree, forgiveness is key.
I’m glad you had a fabulous weekend! Something like this, I would think, would have a tendancy to be life-changing. It sounds like it was life-changing in all the best ways.
Love, kindness, forgiveness and acceptance. Definitely perfect ingredients for a perfect world! Sounds like more of us should attend similar conferences!
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Finally forgiving fully is one of the most empowering things I have ever done, definitely not easy to do but so worth it.
I so agree.
It takes a lot of trust and vulnerability to live with an open heart. And, it takes practice. Sounds like this conference was a great place for those who needed to practice, safely, and for all who believe in the afterlife.
It was life-changing.
There is a place we can get to………it mostly happens to me when I am around kind people so I know just what you are referring to. I try to live my life so that the spirit can function fully through me. No easy feat for sure…it takes constant forgiving, constant awareness….I try to be alert, aware and reverent. Then I can be taught and guided. The problem is it wears off so quickly sometimes!!
But I do find that gratitude does make room for forgiveness. Cant wait to hear about the Bishops and Shamans….
I can’t wait to tell you.
Oh I just want to carry this, hold this, in my energy and remembrance. There have been times when I feel this love, this nirvana, this peace and connection on a soul level and know what that feels like to want to hold it. I’m so glad you’re sharing your experiences, Carol.
They are so beautiful, those times, aren’t they?
What a wonderful experience for you to have, Carol. Forgiveness is the key to living a peaceful life. Holding on to anger is useless and poisonous. There are so many reasons to feel pain, but being angry shouldn’t be one of them.
We are challenged to release … it ain’t easy, but we are challenged to do it.
Carol, your weekend sounds like it was wonderful. It’s not often we get that feeling of total love and trust when with people we don’t know, but in this case, you had a commonality. I agree, forgiveness is key. I’ve heard some say “forgiving doesn’t mean forgetting” but for me, total forgiveness has helped me “forget” so to speak. I rarely think about those things that needed forgiven after I’ve totally let go. xo
Yes, yes!
I’m so happy to hear your 4 day conference was wonderful for you Carol!
Thanks, Nancy!
Can’t wait to hear more -I’ve enjoyed this series so much
Lots more coming. LOTS. I get home late tonight but i know this week I’ll be integrating it all into blog posts that will come soon.
So fascinating. I’ve really been enjoying these posts. Can’t wait to read more!
God bless you. So glad you had a wonderful time at the conference. I’ve been to family and marriage building conferences through the Air Force with my husband. And, the blessing of forgiveness is beautiful the way you described it. I agree, forgiveness is key.
I’m glad you had a fabulous weekend! Something like this, I would think, would have a tendancy to be life-changing. It sounds like it was life-changing in all the best ways.
Love, kindness, forgiveness and acceptance. Definitely perfect ingredients for a perfect world! Sounds like more of us should attend similar conferences!
What a wonderful place to be in Carol. I’m looking forward to reading how this influences your writing and subject matter. God’s speed my friend.
To find a group of people who love and support! Wonderful!