Shaping Your Thought Patterns: 3. Emotional impact of your words

code-R
Feb 26, 2018
1 min read

Updated: Nov 2, 2018

Explore the emotional impact of your words on yourself and others

Gratitude and Forgiveness

Another case in point to reflect the power of words, thoughts and emotions on the body is through #gratitude and #forgiveness. Indigenous Hawaiian healers have a traditional spiritual practice called Ho'oponopono, which has survived into modern times. It is based on a philosophy that thoughts trigger emotions, and that those emotions can have powerful physiological effects on your physical wellbeing. Just think of the differences in how your body feels when you are stressed compared to when you are relaxed.

Ho’oponopono is a practice of reconciliation and forgiveness, and the awareness of it was spread further in the English-speaking world in the book Zero Limits. In particular, there are 4 one-liners from the book that are said to have great power:

I am sorry

Please forgive me

Thank you

I love you

Hate, hurt, and anger can numb us and blind us from seeing more objectively. When we say these four expressions from the bottom of our heart, we embrace the meaning associated with those emotions and we can expel the negativity associated with negative thoughts. From there, we can restore positivity and peace in both ourselves and our relations with others, thereby re-opening the gateway to more possibilities.

Try saying the 4 expressions to yourself, or to your loved ones. Remember to mean every word of what you say, and observe how your sincere expressions affect their behaviour.