Healing Family Relationships -- Love And The Gift Of Spiritual Awareness

ing healing to family relationships can be one ofit before God is an essential part of the process.
the most difficult aspects of the spiritual healingIn this way we are not alone, as the divine
process. The reason for this is that we choose toCreator who is All sees, hears and feels with us.
incarnate within our specific families for theThis can be done with prayer, intention,
purpose of healing and growth, which oftenmeditation, creative expression, or any way that
challenges us deeply to the core of our being. Forresonates.
many of us it may feel as though healing isOnce we have become more conscious of the
exactly the opposite of what we are receivingpain we carry, the next step involves the
with our families, as we endure the difficulties andwillingness to let go of our pain. Though on the
limitations of our relationships with our parents andsurface it may seem strange to want to hold
siblings.onto pain, there are many deep emotions that
Before incarnating, we choose families which cancan become entrenched within us, and wrapped
bring to the surface specific issues and themesaround our sense of self. We unconsciously hold
that our soul wishes to explore, learn about andon to the pain, because it is all we have ever
heal. Often these issues are challenging and bringknown. For example, if we are carrying anger,
to the surface discomfort that we would preferhurt or betrayal, we are asked to forgive and to
go avoid rather than face. Some people deal withmove on. If we were the victim of abuse or
this discomfort by placing blame on their parentsneglect, we are asked to let go of our anger, and
or the situation they were born into, whichour entitlement to be angry. This part of the
provides a temporary outlet for the emotionalprocess cannot be rushed, which is why it is so
pain they have experienced, but ultimatelyimportant to be willing to feel our emotions fully
prevents the free flow of love, light and healing infirst. Once this happens, the next step of healing
the heart.naturally unfolds.
As we grow personally and spiritually, thereOnce we have traversed these steps of
comes a time when we are called to releasebecoming conscious, feeling our pain, and being
ourselves from the emotional pain we havewilling to let it go, then we are fully available to
carried from our childhood. There are steps in thisreceive a deep and complete healing. As we
process, which may taker a shorter or longervoluntarily empty ourselves of those things we've
time, or which may involve many lifetimes ofbeen holding onto, more of God’s love
learning.and light can enter our heart, mind and body. The
The first step we take is to become conscious ofpathways of life begin to open up and reveal new
the pain we are carrying. If we have represseddirections, new possibilities, and new choices. Our
these feelings, they will emerge when we arehearts begin to open and love blossoms,
ready to face them. Sometimes an event such asforgiveness becomes a way of being, and spiritual
an illness or a loss can illuminate feelings we haveawareness awakens within us. These are the gifts
buried or forgotten. Once we become consciousthat come through healing family relationships, a
of the pain and allow ourselves to simply feel it,heart full of love and trust, unencumbered by the
healing can begin. Being with the pain, and bringingpain of the past.