Healing the Wounds of the Heart: 15 Obstacles to Forgiveness and How to Overcome Them

Description

An exploration of the life-changing power of forgiving * Discusses 15 perceived obstacles to forgiveness and how to overcome them * Details four different methods of forgiveness: the Hawaiian practice of Ho'oponopono, Colin Tipping's Radical Forgiveness, Fred Luskin's Nine Steps to Forgiveness, and the author's own Gift of Forgiveness * Shares inspiring testimonies and stories from around the world, revealing how forgiveness helps stop a spiral of destruction, cleanses the heart, and leads to relief, freedom, and inner peace Can Everything Be Forgiven? Forgiveness allows our hearts to heal and love to be revived. Forgiving the small and average sufferings experienced throughout life is one thing. But what about bigger transgressions, like infidelity, abuse, or even large-scale offenses such as genocide? Olivier Clerc identifies 15 obstacles to forgiveness--prejudices, confusions, misunderstandings--and discusses from where these perceptions originate and how they might keep us from taking the path to healing. Drawing from his years of forgiveness work as well as from the Forgiveness Project, he details four practical methods for forgiveness, each with a unique approach: the Hawaiian practice of Ho'oponopono, Colin Tipping's Radical Forgiveness, Fred Luskin's Nine Steps to Forgiveness, and the author's own Gift of Forgiveness, inspired by his work with don Miguel Ruiz. Inspiring testimonies and examples from both victims and perpetrators who have rebuilt their lives after trauma show that even when faced with the unspeakable we can heal. Choosing to engage in a conscious process of forgiving helps stop a spiral of destruction, cleanses the heart, and leads to relief, freedom, and inner peace.

Olivier Clerc is a writer, translator, editorial consultant, and workshop leader. He is the founder of the international program Circles of Forgiveness, based on his life-changing experiences in Mexico with don Miguel Ruiz. With his wife, he created a yearly conference on forgiveness and founded the Association Pardon International (API). The author of The Gift of Forgiveness, he lives in Cluny, France.

"In an ever more closely intertwined world, forgiveness could be called the number one survival skill. Olivier Clerc has an amazing record of spreading the word, and I cannot recommend his book too highly for any conscious human being." * Pierre Pradervand, author of The Gentle Art of Blessing * "Healing the Wounds of the Heart is a superb book that allows us to understand both the why and how to forgive. The author's study and practice shows his deep understanding of forgiveness. He offers compelling insights and moving stories. It is rare to find a book that is both simple and deep. I recommend this book without hesitation." * Frederic Luskin, Ph.D., author of Forgive for Good and director of the Stanford University Forgivene * "Beyond answering the important question framed in the title, this book does a superb job of teasing out the nuances of forgiveness from beginning to end, reflecting the author's deep experience, wisdom, and heart. For the person who wants to understand forgiveness, this book is an excellent choice. For the one ready to forgive, several practical approaches are provided. For those struggling with forgiveness, the book provides an invaluable discussion of the obstacles to forgiveness and the spiritual development that is possible to those who apply themselves to this path." * Eileen Barker, author of the Forgiveness Workbook and founder of the Path of Forgiveness * "This might be one of the most important books you will ever read. Everyone, without exception, has some forgiveness issues. Unknowingly, these issues drain our life of true vitality and joy. We've all heard that it's good to forgive. The uniqueness of Olivier's book lies in its clear explanation of why we probably won't do just that. As a teacher of personnel development, I have seen people transformed and released upon realizing specifically why they hold on to pain and judgment. You can see in their eyes the immense gift it is to finally free the heart so it can love and dance once more. Read this book, free yourself." * Bernard Groom, A Course in Miracles teacher *