Forgiveness Releases the Burden On Your Own Heart

Kristin, a graduate of the Art of Soulmaking Program at the Central California Women’s Facility, participates in our recent film shoot

Letter from an Incarcerated Soulmaker

Hello again Laura,

I cannot believe another week has passed already. I am saddened that there are only two weeks left to the group. But I wholeheartedly intend to keep up the practices and tools I’ve re-incorporated into my daily life since beginning this course. This week’s segment on forgiveness was very powerful. The story of Samereh [from the Art of Soulmaking workbook] touched my heart. I feel as if so many people use the power of forgiveness as a weapon to hold over another person; not realizing that forgiveness releases the burden on your own heart, not the other person’s. It’s like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die. Holding on to resentment and not forgiving is that poison. My mother has held on to a lot of resentments and I have seen how that has affected her personally and negatively impacted her relationships. I vowed as a young child to never hold onto any resentment and to always forgive and let go.

I didn’t think I ever mentioned it before, but yoga and Pilates practice basically has rehabilitated my back and kept me able to move and function and exercise without pain. I have degenerative disk disease and two bulging disks in my lower back (L4-L5 and L5-S1) and yoga has provided the therapeutic and rehabilitative strength and mobility training to keep me off of medication and out of surgery! I will soon be starting a yoga class in the unit here as well which I am excited about.

How about you? How often do you teach? Are you as devastated as I am that this workshop is coming to a close? 🙂 I hope to hear from you again soon. I have heard that there may be a big Yoga master class coming here soon. Is that through Unconditional Freedom? Anyhow. Take care my friend.

Namaste,

Kristin