Living A Guilt-Free Life
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Lately, the topic of guilt has been coming up while I have been working with my therapy clients on video-conferencing. So I'd like to focus this article on the healing of guilt.

First, what is guilt? Most people know the answer. It's the feeling of responsibility for doing something wrong, or having done something wrong in the past. I would say we all have this feeling of guilt. It's universal. We've all made mistakes, sometimes big ones. And feelings of guilt are too often the result.

In 12-step recovery programs, "making amends" is an important step. If there are mistakes that can be corrected, wrongs that can be righted, hurts that can be apologized for, by all means do so. 

Making Amends When Possible

Many years ago, one of our assistants stole quite a lot of money from us, and Joyce's diamond engagement ring, and then quickly moved away. Many years passed and then, a few years ago, she called and got Joyce on the phone. Through her tears, she admitted that her guilt has been a huge burden, holding her back in her life, and she wanted to make it right.

Joyce was loving (because that's who she is) but she was also firm about the importance of paying us back. This young woman enthusiastically agreed, but we have never heard from her again. We can only imagine how the continued weight of her guilt is keeping her unhappy, until she can make things right.


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Apologizing for the Harm Done

Sometimes, we can't correct our mistakes. Like hurting someone who we can't find to make apology. When I was a teen, I was angry with a neighbor who used to frequently yell at us when our ball landed on their lawn.

One night, I exploded a large firework outside their window which probably deeply frightened them. I feel bad for having done that, don't know their names, and realize they are no longer alive. Even so, I apologized to them inwardly, which helped me release this particular guilt.

Existential Guilt

Then there's existential guilt, feeling that just being alive is doing something wrong. This form of guilt is much more difficult to correct. For many of us, we have somehow gotten the message that we are problems. Rather than our behavior being condemned, we have felt condemned as persons. 

Until I corrected her when I was in my forties, my mother used to label me as an "incorrigible child" when I was young. Now of course I understand that I was simply strong-willed, and my mother wasn't strong enough to stand up for herself. But the damage was done, and, for many years, I was left feeling that there was something inherently wrong with me.

Guilt Is At The Heart of Workaholism

Guilt keeps us from doing good things for ourselves, or limiting the time we spend on self-nurturing or creativity. I love singing with my harmonium or piano, and writing songs. But I notice that little voice in my head that tries to limit my creative time because it's not "productive." I can be really enjoying myself, when I suddenly hear that inner guilty voice saying, "Time's up. Now get back to work." I understand workaholism. I am a recovering workaholic. Guilt is at the heart of workaholism.

Guilt has us doing more for others, and not enough for ourselves. "How dare we nurture ourselves! Don't be selfish!" The message in all this is clear: others are more important than we are. But this would have us try to put an oxygen mask on our children, or anyone else, in an airplane cabin that loses pressure. Unless we first put our own mask on, we risk passing out and not helping anyone. Likewise, unless we give enough to ourselves, we will have nothing to give to others. I love the Native American saying, "Humble yourselves to receive, before you can truly give."

Living a Guilt-Free Life

So how do we heal guilt so we can live a guilt-free life? At the core is the feeling of unworthiness, not knowing that we deserve the fullness of love. As we write in Risk to Be Healed, "If we're running away from love because of a feeling of unworthiness, then we need to stop and remember who we are: children of the Creator, sons and daughters of the light, rightful heirs to all the love and power of the universe."

And here's the truth: nothing we have ever done can take away our inherent worthiness. Some years ago, I had a pivotal moment in a cave near the top of a mountain above Poggio Bustone in Italy. Saint Francis went into this cave 800 years ago, determined not to continue his ministry until he knew for sure that he was forgiven for his many sins as a young man. His wish was granted, and this cave is now known as the "place of forgiveness." 

The first time Joyce and I visited this cave, which required a steep hike up the mountain, I also wanted this certainty of forgiveness for all the many misdeeds of my own younger life. I went into the cave prepared to sit for a long time in meditation, going through my long list of transgressions one by one, seeking forgiveness. I sat down, was about to start with the first item on my list, when suddenly I felt a heavenly energy and the words came to me, "Barry, you are completely forgiven for all of it." I felt light as a feather, and jumped up for joy. Not one item on my long list could take away the worthiness of my soul, my divine birthright. Joyce, knowing every item on my list, and prepared to wait for a very long time for me, was surprised, and then overjoyed to see this divine miracle.

The guilt-free life is ours for the asking. Know this: every time you do something loving for yourself, you are helping everyone else. 

Every time you do something creative, like art, music, dance, writing from the heart, or growing flowers, you bless the world. When you take care of your body with healthy eating and exercise, you take care of the whole body of humanity. When you quiet your own mind through meditation or contemplation, you help quiet all minds. And every time you take a conscious breath, taking in the pure energy of creation, you can then breathe out your unique gift to the world.

Book by this Author(s)

Heartfullness: 52 Ways to Open to More Love
by Joyce and Barry Vissell.

Heartfullness: 52 Ways to Open to More Love by Joyce and Barry Vissell.Heartfulness means so much more than sentimentality or schmaltz. The heart chakra in yoga is the spiritual center of the body, with three chakras above and three below. It is the balance point between lower body and higher body, or between body and spirit. To dwell in your heart is therefore to be in balance, to integrate the lower three chakras with the higher three.

Click here for more info and/or to order this book.

Also available as a Kindle edition

About the Author(s)

photo of: Joyce & Barry VissellJoyce & Barry Vissell, a nurse/therapist and psychiatrist couple since 1964, are counselors, near Santa Cruz CA, who are passionate about conscious relationship and personal-spiritual growth. They are the authors of 9 books and a new free audio album of sacred songs and chants. Call 831-684-2130 for further information on counseling sessions by phone, on-line, or in person, their books, recordings or their schedule of talks and workshops.

Visit their website at SharedHeart.org for their free monthly e-heartletter, their updated schedule, and inspiring past articles on many topics about relationship and living from the heart.

More books by these authors