2
Reflections
< Your Heart in Bloom, Continued from page 1
ing are brought to light in a safe, respectful and confidential setting, and the transformation begins on a deep emotional and spiritual level. Bob Hoffman understood that we took on negative emotional patterns from our parents through a dynamic that he called the “Negative Love Syndrome.” When parents are unable to provide a consistent flow of unconditional love, children feel abandoned and desperately seek to win back their parents’ love and approval by matching them emotionally. In effect, they keep exclaiming, “See, Mommy and Daddy, I’m just like you. Now will you love and accept me?” But at these moments, what are the children emulating? Not unconditional love, because if the children were basking in love, they would not be desperately trying to win it back from their parents. No, they are internalizing the worst traits in their parents, the very ones that have made their parents feel insecure. True love, of course, also involves emulation. To the extent that what is being emulated is positive, children inherit an emotional and spiritual treasure. However, when the emotional patterns learned
from parents are negative, children inherit trouble. This negative programming stays with us as we grow into adulthood invisibly undermining virtually every aspect of our personal, professional and social lives. Our problems are always emotional, yet most adults cannot see where this unwanted material came from, let alone how to change it.
How Does the Hoffman Process Help Us Become Whole? The Hoffman Process is designed to help us identify and heal Negative Love patterns while strengthening our connection to our radiant true selves, which we call the “Spiritual Self.” For most people this aspect of self was largely ignored, pushed aside, or negated. The Process is so effective because right from the start participants learn to identify and experience their wise, compassionate and loving “Spiritual Self” (or soul, as some would say) and the all-powerful “Light” (or Higher Power). This spiritual energy is then brought to bear on the unwanted Negative Love patterns that are causing so much difficulty in our lives. The emotional hurts that were caused by a lack of unconditional love in childhood can heal only in the presence of the love that comes deep within and beyond
David Raz
Kerry
oneself. Healing does occur, and wonder of wonders, the emotional child matures into a free, open, loving and spontaneous adult. This healing – this wholeness - is further reinforced by an experience of forgiveness toward the parents of our childhood who unwittingly passed their pain onto us. To quote Bob Hoffman, “Everyone is guilty, but no one is to blame.” There is great relief for many Process participants who, after years of feeling anger, resentment or avoidance, now find a felt sense of compassionate understanding, and love for the parents of their childhood. This forgiveness expands to include yourself and others, as well. When previously ignored issues of childhood are addressed and inner conflicts resolved, Process participants shift from being fear-based to being love-based. With an open heart, nearly anything is possible. The Hoffman Process is a contemporary “heroes journey;” a healing of the past and an empowering initiation into your new reality. As you are released from the unwanted emotions of the past, you move into a way of being that is more free, open, loving and spontaneous. Your heart blooms and, finally, it’s possible to live from your heart and be your best self!
Genevieve
Linda
Tracy
Ariana Lizzi
Stan Tessa
Trevor Branden
Monika
Ellie Liza
Katherine
Hoffman’s San Rafael staff send you LOVE and heartfelt THANKS for your generosity and support! Light News | Winter 2011
The Hoffman Institute