Intention: Releasing Guilt and Shame

Shame:

: a feeling of guilt, regret, or sadness that you have because you know you have done something wrong

: ability to feel guilt, regret, or embarrassment

: dishonor or disgrace

Guilt:

: responsibility for a crime or for doing something bad or wrong

: a bad feeling caused by knowing or thinking that you have done something bad or wrong

What if I didn’t carry guilt and shame? How would I be? Would I be more judgemental? Would I do less to appease others, and ultimately more to appease myself?

What is the sense in carrying these two inherited conditions of humanity? This guilt, this shame are the hamartia of man.

I heard someone describe guilt and shame being as the original sin; the resulting consequence in acceptance of the forbidden fruit of knowledge and free will, and hence turning ‘our’ backs on God.

Should a parent feel guilty if the children are left under the care of another, whilst they seek some precious time with their partner or themselves? Should a child feel shame if they chose a life that is not of their parents expectations? Should any person feel a sense of guilt and shame if they are honouring their greater sense of being?

I guess the more appropriate question would be--did one do something wrong? Fundamentally when we come to these moments when there is overwhelming guilt and shame attached to an interaction or a situation, we have to be courageous enough to ask if one (I) did something wrong?

In coming to understand that in practising our free will, there are natural consequences assumed in such undertakings, and the power in taking hold of that ability to make our own decisions should be one that is unfettered from any negative emotional recourse--given that it is not decided with malicious intention.

The guilt and shame embedded in each of us as our souls became conditioned into this life, is not one we should carry so heavily as we journey.

Yours,

in immutable LOVE.