Guilt

A Past Stronghold is No Longer True for You

The repercussions of a past action or creation are causing waves in the present. Look back and consider why you made the decisions you did. Others may say that you should have known better, and perhaps you agree. Be open and truthful about your circumstance and intentions at the time. Did you lack the confidence to follow your judgement? Were you acting out of kindness, spite, hope, despair or something else? Only you know what your motivations were. If something truly needs to be forgiven, take responsibility, forgive your actions, and vow to do better. It’s time to step forwards with a fresh heart.

Shadow Mastery Class: Dissolving the Grip of Guilt

Meditation

Place your hand on the card. Gently close your eyes. Sense your body and concentrate on your breathing. Follow your breath inward. Hold for five seconds and relax. Breathe out and release all tension. Focus on the middle of your chest.

In front of you, a golden staircase descends into the earth. Walk down the ten healing steps to a magical, amethyst crystal cave. Each step reveals a truth about guilt. While remorse leads to heart-honoring change, prolonged guilt is about self-judgement. It reinforces your mind’s idea that you are flawed. Arrive at the last step, excited to confront your guilt.

Step into the amethyst cave and greet your shadow. In front of you is a heavy, antique wooden door with “Guilt Trips” carved into it. Drag the door open and enter the room.

You are confronted with a pile of rocks. Each rock represents the guilt or regrets you feel over an action, thought or outcome. Climb and explore the rocks. You allowed this pile to grow. It has become an obstacle that causes resistance and procrastination and opens you to manipulation. But no more! It’s now time to transform the heaviness of this guilt into remorse, grace and wisdom. Stand on top of your pile and ask for integration and healing.

A healing cloud with a silver lining floats into the room and begins to rain liquid light upon you. This unique light shower cleanses and calms you while gently dissolving your guilt.

As the pile shrinks into nothingness, say to yourself:

“I trust my inner guidance. I know my truth. I integrate the lessons of the past and grow stronger in heart, mind and intention. My words and actions honor my core values. I am gentle with myself and others.”

Let the shower of light flood your body with love until it fills every cell within you. Every cell born from this moment will be in complete balance. Stay here for as long as you like-at least thirty seconds.

You are liberated from guild. It is time to leave the room. Know you can return any time to release guilt if your pile begins to grow again. The door is now light enough to close with one finger. Close it now, step into the amethyst cave, and walk to the golden staircase. As you ascend, feel a renewed certainty and confidence in your truth and wisdom. Thank your shadow for holding your guilt until you were ready to dissolve it. At the top of the stairs, take two deep breaths, open your eyes and smile.

Inspired Insights, Reflections and Actions

While guilt can be a healthy message that you have behaved in a way that is not aligned with your values, prolonged guilt is a corruptive emotion. It is difficult to feel and address because it is an ego wound that sits in self-judgement. Our soul knows we make mistakes and, where necessary, allows us the space for remorse through which we can assess our intentions and actions with clarity, honesty and a sincere desire to grow. Remember this should someone try to use guilt to manipulate you. Set healthy boundaries by affirming to yourself and others that acting out of guilt will create resentment.

Journal Work

Write or draw a list of no more than three mistakes you made as you grew up. These can be what you perceive as errors of thought or action. How were these mistakes handled? Were they forgiven, judged or punished? Who did the forgiving, judging and punishing? Do you still judge yourself by these standards? Ask yourself whether those standards reflect your true values.