Is unconscious guilt a result of ignorance of our true nature or some indiscretion in this or past life?”
Let’s understand by asking, “What do we mean by guilt?” Guilt is the feeling that we have, somehow, done something wrong and/or the feeling we are bad. This feeling can be either due to something we’ve done or from believing you are just a body that is separate from others. Guilt can also escalate into deep loneliness or emptiness.
Most people carry a burden of guilt. If it is deep seated enough, it can be like an insidious virus that infiltrates every aspect of your life, so that all your responses to life and others are filtered through the guilt feelings.
When we are difficult or heavy handed and reactive, these are signs of guilt. If the guilt is just a nagging ache then it could translate into sadness.
In my work as hypnotherapist people have been helped by seeing the cause of it through traditional religious belief in sin and punishment.
For instance, a young woman, who suffered deep sadness from no apparent reason, came to see me. Her parents were warm and loving and her childhood had been normal. During a regression into a past life she was burned alive for being a witch, which meant she was psychic. Before burning her people hurled insults for her evil ways that she would burn in hell. When she discovered the fact that she wasn’t bad at all, after all, what she wanted was to help people. This realization healed her guilt permanently.
After a few years of conducting hypnotherapy I became acutely aware of the heavy burden of guilt that most people carry.
· Guilt prevents us from having a healthy relationship with other people.
· Guilt causes us to punish those around us for our problems.
· Guilt makes you live in the past and blocks your soul’s purpose.
· Guilt often creates life-threatening pathologies as our bodies attract ill health.
· Guilt causes us to hurt people closest to us.
· Traditional Christian religion encourages guilt for our sins instead of seeing them as lessons for greater love, compassion and forgiveness.
1 comment:
Guilt: Interesting (I like this font!)
I have a story to share in regards to learning through guilt. I am not sure why I am sending it to you, Burt – but “something” is directing me to be here on this wonderfully sunny day. “Let’s just go with it.”
Years ago, we helped a friend who was having a difficult time in his life. We fed him, listened, housed him and generally supported his personal and emotional needs. When he felt stronger, he left to carry on with his life.
A few months later he came to our door and said, that he was feeling better and would return to “put me out of my misery”.
This created fear and wonder. With time, and consideration, the fear of his returning to create harm was let go…. Or so, I thought.
Months after that, the phone rang, with this same person on the other end. He called to say he was sorry for what he had done. Memories of fear and confusion immediately returned and the call was awkward, uncomfortable and bewildering – he did not mention that he was ill.
Days later, he died.
I think letting go of feelings etc., is difficult at times, but understanding why the lesson occurred at all may be a large part in the healing of guilt and shame. Sometimes, we may be wise to look objectively at both “ourselves and others” in regards to what we are communicating and why. It could all be a misunderstanding, fear, a mistake, or incredibly poor judgment. But likely all parties involved feel pain.
I have learned that acknowledging guilt directly to both self and others does seem to alleviate a great deal of sadness overall. Sometimes adding the element of time lessens emotional turmoil and adds a bit of calm objectivity; but the outcome is usually positive.
It’s sort of like children in the sandbox, when a problem arises and “sorry” is stated, life keeps moving forward, a lesson is learned and a day is well spent.
Obviously your next blog will address working through guilt. I look forward to it.
… wishing you a lovely afternoon.
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