This was Jesus' prayer for forgiveness for those who were crucifying him. This is one of my favorite sayings in the entire Bible. This sentence sets me free. I always believed that I had to be the one to forgive. Clearly Jesus is asking that forgiveness be done from a higher place of consciousness, one that can be used to do that which our human selves cannot imagine. We only need to be willing to let the love of Spirit that knows no “other”, no harm, and no offense create the miracle that forgiveness offers.

Forgiveness sets us free so that we may ascend, baggage free into a higher, lighter and more fulfilling way of being. We cannot transform into a greater expression of love and bring with us resentments and remnants of our victim stories. The first step in our journey, therefore, is to clear the slate and release ourselves from the belief that we can be persecuted. Forgiveness does this, and the brilliance of this first statement is that all we need do is call upon a greater power to do it through and for us.

I invite you to spend a week inviting God (Love, Source, Spirit, All Power) to forgive all those you believe harmed you, including yourself. Don’t think about how this happens, don’t spend any time or energy on any thought other than “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” Truly, we don’t know what we do when we believe we’re separate from the love of God. We move into ignorance and fear which creates a false self from which we live and move. It is false, and it has no ultimate power, but to the extent that we give it fuel through our beliefs and thoughts, we’re trapped and don’t know what we are doing. It is said in the “New Testament Interpretation” by Unity, “Behind all offenses there is a lack of understanding.” Forgiveness sets us free from the past and places us fully in the now-present moment where God is, was and always will be.

The Second Word ~ Now

Jesus is speaking to the two men that are being hanged to the right and left of him. Metaphysically these two men represent the past and future. Paradise is another word for the Kingdom of Heaven. The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand, available to us all but can only be experienced in the now-present moment. There is much good in our memories and in our ideas of who we are becoming. This saying confirms that only good shall remain. In our fear we often believe we’ll lose something of value, but in our faith we know that there is never anything lost in God. All the good that has brought us to the moment of transformation will remain and ascend with us, and all the good that we think about becoming will do so also. When it’s time to change, that which will NOT ascend is that which is no longer needed, which is anything that has been created out of fear. We cannot bring with us anything that is not ultimately real – of God. All that is real exists in the present moment. When we allow this saying to have its mystical way with us we become fully immersed in the Now, which is the only place transformation can take place.

When we’re in a crisis of transformation, the past and present both seem daunting. Our ideas of how life is “supposed to be,” formed from our past experiences and expectations, have fallen down like a house of cards, and the future seems uncertain and often bleak. I recall working with a client who was in extreme pain from the ending of a relationship. He realized that looking back was way too painful and the future appeared dark, so staying in the present moment and breathing was the best and only thing he could do. In the present he found peace and simple signs that told him he would be all right, he would make it through.

If you’re experiencing change in your life you’ll be best served to practice remaining in the present moment and finding solace in knowing that “Today you will be with me in paradise”. Yes, the past is over and the future can appear uncertain, but what is always certain is that good is constant, dependable and will reign supreme again.

The Third Word ~ One

These words were spoken to Mary, the Mother of Jesus and the disciple John. At first glance this statement seems odd, but we can take all that this master teacher said and did as spiritual direction. Why would he say this to his Mother and disciple? I believe it’s an important part of the blueprint inherent within this guide toward resurrection. It speaks to Oneness and right relationship with each other. We can only awaken to our spiritual power and evolution when we release ourselves from the roles of biological family, husband, wife, mother, father, son, daughter, Catholic, Jewish, black or white, rich or poor. This statement invites us to “behold” all people as our family for truly we are One in God.

Who are you keeping out of your heart because you see them as different or “wrong”? Who do you see as family and who is not? How would your life change if you saw all people as your brothers and sisters, friends and loved ones? Recently, I realized that I really do hold all people as precious and important, all life as connected and vital so much more than I ever used to. I do behold all people as One with God and deserving of love. This is the consciousness that is necessary for spiritual awakening and I find it easier and easier to cultivate and live in. Simply making yourself aware of those you have seen as separate and then changing this belief by blessing them and praying for a greater experience of God in their lives will quickly create the consciousness needed for graceful transformation.

The Fourth Word ~ Truth

God cannot and does not forsake us, but part of us, our victim consciousness, still clings to the belief that there is something outside us that has power over us. We must free ourselves completely from any and every belief that there is any power outside of us. I believe Jesus knew there was no power outside of him, yet in the midst of fully surrendering to this Truth he demonstrated that fear can have a voice. We don’t need to hide our fear but speak it out loud. Bring it to the light of prayer. It’s BECAUSE Jesus had faith that he could freely speak the fear of betrayal out loud.

It’s okay to feel forsaken when Life calls you to change. The rules you were living by yesterday no longer work. It’s confusing and scary. This doesn’t mean you lack faith. You only lack faith if you believe the fear to be true, and try to cover it up. Pretending you’re okay when you’re not feeling it, will create conflicting energy which separates you from the possibility of feeling God in the midst of your transformation. Practice always speaking what you’re feeling and fearing, not to give it power, but the opposite – to bring it to the light and defuse its power. Admit where you feel forsaken. You can’t make it go away by hiding it. You CAN transform it by bringing it to the light of love.

The Fifth Word ~ Vision

To thirst is to desire that which gives you Life. To thirst for new life represents the time in the transformation when the darkness is beginning to fade and new possibilities are beginning to form in consciousness. The idea of freedom and greater good glimmers, even if ever so faintly.

You’re right in the middle of the tunnel of transformation. Often during this time, the old ways of being suddenly look very attractive or “not so bad after all”. Or, we tend to want to rush into the first idea that comes to us for relief. This is actually the time to cultivate the “thirst” and hold still. The Universe will give you very clear signs if you will take time to listen. You are sitting in the greatest moment of possibility, so the goal here is to ALLOW the greatest idea of yourself to come to life. Going backwards, is what you want to avoid, and yet it is often what many do to quench the thirst. Let God quench the thirst by showing you your highest and best good. Your job is to say “yes” to it and allow it.

This is a great time to keep quiet, journal your ideas and commune with your childhood dreams. The dreams you had when you were 4 or 5 have within them your purpose and passion. They may look very different today than what you thought of then, but the pure Joy within the dream always remains. If you reignite that Joy you will uncover messages of what truly moves your heart, and living more fully in your heart is what you’re seeking. That’s the experience of God uniquely and joyously expressing as You.

Vision, dream, imagine… but don’t force it into form. Instead, create in a way that is natural and graceful, by letting the energy of your greatest possibility draw unto itself.

The Sixth Word ~ Completion

This statement reveals to us the perfection of the Laws of the Universe. When we’re completely aligned spiritually, mentally, emotionally and physically, we can move mountains. The catch is that we truly need to be “finished”. We can’t fool the Law. We can’t be 90% complete and expect to fully and freely move forward. The Universe loves us so unconditionally that it patiently waits for our readiness and willingness to be free. It behooves us to consciously call what is done – done.

In this part of your journey of transformation you can honor yourself and your path by creating a ritual of completion. Invite a circle of spiritual friends and family to assist you in crafting a powerful ceremony of release. Be intentional and clear about what it is you are releasing. Use fire, water and other elements to support you. “It is finished” can be the most transformational words you speak when you truly embody them. These words clear the slate, cut the chords of attachment, cleanse and prepare you on all levels for the next, final and most powerful step of all . . .

The Seventh Word ~ Surrender

The relief of surrendering to God is phenomenal. Surrender is the greatest spiritual practice and the most important one in our journey of transformation. All we’re truly seeking is to know God in and AS our life. All our spirit wants is to experience the kingdom of heaven. That’s truly where we reside, why not feel it?

This is a mystical step. Even though we may have a sense of what we’re being called to do, we can’t know who we’ll become. To give to God all the glory, to place our lives in “his hands” is a foreign idea to many of us, but a little taste of the sweet joy in it is all we need to convince us there’s no other way. To be used by God, with no attachment to what it looks like or how it will be- this is the ultimate freedom. This is what, I believe, we’re all striving for. Give your life to God, as you understand God. Work daily at understanding God more and more, because the more you understand, the more you’ll be able to surrender.

Jesus’ life was a demonstration of surrender, faith and unconditional love. His final teaching, his resurrection, contains within it all the support and guidance you need for your journey of transformation- the return to God . . . your greatness.