03 Apr Meditation: Attitudinal Healing

“Forgiveness does not change the past, but it does enlarge the future.” ~ Paul Boese

The Torah portion Tazri’a this week is dedicated to healing. In the time of this Torah portion, healing was considered an art rather than a science.  Today, we know that our mental state does affect our physical health.

Several years ago, I came upon a text written by Dr. Jerry Jamplosky referring to a healing process called Attitudinal Healing. In other words, our personal healing greatly depends upon a change of attitude. He says in part: “Attitudinal Healing is based on the principle that it is not other people or institutions that cause us to be upset. Rather, it is our own thoughts and attitudes about these things that are responsible for our distress, and the actions we take as a result of those thoughts and attitudes that can hurt us. Healing results when we concentrate on changing our own attitudes rather than trying to change the attitude of others. Thus, the goal of Attitudinal Healing is self-healing in the face of each life challenge, regardless of the source. Attitudinal Healing is not a religion or religious. It is a practical spirituality that supports and it compatible with all faiths and belief systems.

The core principle of Attitudinal Healing is forgiveness. Forgiveness does not mean condoning or agreeing with a horrendous act. It is a decision to no longer attack one’s self. Forgiveness is, quite simply, the decision not to suffer. To forgive is to make the decision to be happy, to let go of judgments, to stop hurting others and ourselves, and to stop recycling anger and fear. Forgiveness is the bridge to compassion and inner piece.

Shavua Tov,
Rabbi Frank