"Forgiveness: I choose to forgive anyone, including myself, who has ever harmed me, directly or indirectly, knowingly or unknowingly, along my journey in life."

-Keith Wolfe, founder of Raja-Vinyasa Apex Yoga™

Notes of guidance for the "Forgiveness" practice:

1) First, ensure you have read and understand the Important and Sincere Note on the previous webpage listing the four Pavitra Yamas.

2) I have found this Forgiveness practice to be a very meaningful, cleansing, and purifying practice when truly done with the utmost sincerity. It is very important to understand that sincere forgiveness helps to free one's Self of ongoing suffering caused by holding on to resentment, anger, disgust, low self esteem, and many other very harmful and damaging emotions, states of consciousness, and the subsequent ill-health that can manifest.

3) It's important to note that the Forgiveness practice starts with the words "I choose". This is because I have found one must choose to forgive in order to transcend the state of being, the level of consciousness, of suffering caused by "not forgiving". And by sincerely choosing to forgive, one is intentionally practicing self-love which has in its very nature an elevating of one's consciousness to a higher state of being, to a higher level of consciousness where the sincere act of forgiveness can manifest, be sincerely performed, and the subsequent benefits realized.

4) Also please note the word "anyone" is used in the Forgiveness practice (instead of using other words such as "everyone"). The reason for this is the intent and importance to forgive for each individual person/instance from which one feels the harm originated, i.e. the catalyst for the suffering one is enduring from all the related negative emotions and ill-health that have manifested. This is important for true sincere forgiveness instead of just willy-nilly broadcasting a diminished notion of forgiveness for "everyone". It is sincerely, within one's Self, forgiving the source, and when this is done with the utmost sincerity, helps to release one's suffering and realize the many benefits of sincere forgiveness.

5) The results of sincere forgiveness can have many, many, profound benefits, including mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual benefits, including: reduced stress, reduced anxiety, lower blood pressure, improved immune system, improving self-esteem and sense of well-being, and creating a sense of inner peace, among many other benefits as well.

6) Before doing the actual Forgiveness practice, I recommend becoming really familiar with the phrase and depth of its meaning by sitting comfortably, breathing naturally, becoming fully present, and saying the phrase slowly three times, either out loud or silently to yourself, pausing at each comma for at least 1-2 seconds. Really be with it, and contemplate it as you are saying the meaning of the Forgiveness practice.

7) Then proceed with meditating on it for some time that feels right for you. Ultimately, it is your choice whether or not you are going to sincerely perform the "Forgiveness" practice. It cannot be successfully practiced halfway or half-hearted.

8) Then, if you sincerely make the "choice", then proceed with the practice of "Forgiveness", with sincere mindfulness, deep presence, and observe.

9) Last, but certainly not least, if you choose to practice "Forgiveness", I have found it is very important on a regular basis to recite the entire Forgiveness practice phrase above and sincerely reaffirm your intention ("choice") to practice Forgiveness, and then sincerely practice it. I reaffirm this daily, and practice it as often as necessary to stay free of suffering from non-forgiveness.

Warm regards,

- Keith