THERAPEUTIC FORGIVENESS?
Why Does the Mind Cling to Pain? The New Science of Letting Go
More than sixty years ago, Dr. Maxwell Maltz, a plastic surgeon turned psychologist, made an astonishing discovery: changing a person’s face didn’t necessarily change their life.
In 1960 he published Psycho-Cybernetics, now considered a classic in the science of self-development.
He discovered that true transformation does NOT begin in appearance, but in SELF-IMAGE — the way we see and speak to ourselves on the inside.
Maltz describes the mind as a goal-seeking mechanism, always moving toward the pictures we hold of ourselves.
According to Maltz’s cybernetic model, our brain and nervous system will work tirelessly to make our external reality match our internal self-picture.
This can be empowering or destructive.
When our inner pictures are filled with guilt, regret, or unworthiness, our mind’s automatic pilot keeps steering us back toward familiar pain and failure.
In other words, if deep down I see myself as someone who deserves punishment or doesn’t merit happiness, my mind will find ways to reaffirm that belief – by sabotaging opportunities, fixating on past hurts, or gravitating to toxic situations that echo old wounds.
On the other hand, when I learn to update my self-image – identifying and letting go of outdated beliefs that no longer serve my best interests – I can unlock my mind’s built-in success mechanism to guide me toward confidence, creativity and peace.
I’m certain there are times in your life when you’ve said,
“I know I have to let go...”
But your mind refuses to cooperate...
It keeps replaying the same scene: what you said, what they said, what you wish had gone differently.
What is it that keeps pulling us backward, as if we are handcuffed?
Maltz writes that remorse and regret are the mind’s attempt to rewrite what has already happened — a futile mission, because the past cannot be relived.
And yet, how often do we do exactly that?
So what’s the antidote?
Maltz presents a radical concept called “Therapeutic Forgiveness.”
As Maltz boldly put it, “Therapeutic forgiveness cuts out, eradicates, [and] cancels the wrong as if it had never been… like surgery.” In choosing to forgive – whether it’s forgiving another person or yourself – you aren’t saying that what happened was okay; you are simply deciding not to let that past event control you any longer. The futile replay can end.
“Forgiveness is not a moral act or a gift to another person — it’s an act of self-healing. A way to free the energy that’s been trapped inside.”
Next:
What are the steps in the practice?
How do I update my mental self-image?
The Science of Letting Go:
AN ESSENTIAL WEBINAR AS WE APPROACH THE HOLIDAYS
Thursday November 20 4:30 pm Pacific Included: Webinar - Guide - Recording - Handouts