Waters of Forgiveness

You are the master of your destiny. To have the courage of your purpose, your vision, to have diligence and generosity to realize that vision for the benefit of all beings—these are the commitments of a Peacekeeper. To keep clear these sacred commitments is to dedicate oneself to right relationship with all in the family of life.

We have spoken of the waters of forgiveness; they are also the waters of sweet remembrance, ever renewing, ever recalling the inherent wisdom of the moment and the beauty that brings us together with our friends and relatives. Forgiveness is a basic ritual of the Tsalagi. Once a year in our ceremonial cycle the “Friends Making New” ceremony is held, and every day one is encouraged to make way for forgiveness. In the ceremony we literally go to the ocean’s or the river’s edge and we cast the water over our shoulders seven times, casting aside expectations, forgiving and letting go of attachment to what might have been, could have been, should have been. After that is done, even the most painful memories can be released and the worst enemies become friends again. We know that if we do not renew ourselves we suffer the same patterns of discord again and again, so we make this vow to forgive and forget and start anew. The most precious time for forgiveness ceremony is the spring new moon.

The forgiveness ritual is a practice that you can do at any time, outside at the water’s edge, indoors with a bowl of fresh water, or simply in your mind’s eye. See yourself by the water. Visualize your self stepping forward, offering a prayer of thanks for the opportunity to renew yourself in good relationship. Seven times throw water over your shoulders. Feel it washing away all that obscures good friendship with your circle of friends and family.

“I wash away ignorance, I wash away doubt and fear and loneliness. I let go of sorrow, I turn aside anger. I rejoice in the light of a new day.”

Visualize a beam from your heart radiating rose light to touch the hearts of those with whom you have experienced miscommunication or discord; see that rose light surrounding them and then returning to you, filling your heart. As you step away from the water, yesterday’s wounds are healed. Affirm a new day of clear relations. Let you voice sing out a song of joyous thanksgiving.

Ven. Dhyani Ywahoo, Voices of our Ancestors, p 177-178

Inspiration

Wisdom, a stream ever flowing, a sense of our oneness with all beings, an understanding that that which crawls, walks, flies, or swims is some relative to each of us. In recognizing that stream in ourselves, there is a sense of wonder and respect for life as it manifests in every part of the stream. (p. 113)

Voices of Our Ancestors

Just as our organ systems are supported by Mother Earth’s compassion, she [Mother Earth] is supported by our caretaking. To return to Earth appreciation and caretaking of her waters, mountains, and atmosphere is the responsibility of her children [human beings]. That is our song in this time. (pg. 117)

Voices of Our Ancestors

By observing the emotions and patterns of their arising, one may respond without being carried away. Emotions of fear, anger, envy, are seen as ripples on the stream, caused by winds of confusion. Mind dedicated to beneficial actions calms winds of confusion. (p.118)

Voices of Our Ancestors

Pacifying the emotions of confusion is done thorough forgiving oneself and others for what might have been, could have been, should have been and allowing the charge of emotions unexpressed to be carried away in the water-mind of forgiving. (p.118)

Voices of Our Ancestors

In Tsalagi [Cherokee], water is ama, consciousness, like mama, and when we awaken to the cleansing properties of water, then we may wash away the obstacles to good relationship with self, others, the Earth. (p.117)

Voices of Our Ancestors

Waters of Forgiveness

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