We could say that forgiveness is the act of pardoning or excusing oneself or another without harboring resentment. If we want to truly forgive, we must understand that forgiveness does not mean we are agreeing or disagreeing that an action in question was wrong, right, bad, good, appropriate or inappropriate.
Instead of looking at what is “right” or “wrong,” we recognize that an action was taken in ignorance of our true nature and the action caused pain and suffering. (By ignorance, we mean the lack of awareness of our divine nature.)
The true nature of humanity can be described in many ways, depending on one’s spiritual or philosophical tradition. To be as simple and inclusive as possible: When we experience the One consciousness or God that exists within all things, we have realized our true divine nature.
With this experience comes the understanding that our concepts, ideas, and beliefs create duality and separateness among people, rather than supporting the oneness of our spiritual nature. As long as we hold on to our beliefs, then we have something we can argue about and use against others.
With all our love, Sheri and Susyn
WithForgiveness.com
Practicing the lesson
- Identify 5 issues you argued over this past week.
- List your beliefs about those 5 issues.
- Is it possible there are other points of view as valid as yours?
- Is your attachment to being right causing suffering in your life?
- If so, practice detaching from wanting to be right and see what happens.
Affirmation
Today, Creator, grant me the courage and the will to forgive the people I love the most. Help me to forgive every injustice I feel in my mind, and to love other people unconditionally. I know the only way to heal all the pain in my heart is through forgiveness.
Today, Creator, strengthen my will to forgive everyone who has hurt me, even if I believe the offense is unforgivable. I know that forgiveness is an act of self-love. Help me to love myself so much that I forgive every offense. Let me choose forgiveness because I don’t want to suffer every time I remember the offense.
Today, Creator, help me to heal all the guilt in my heart by accepting the forgiveness of everyone I have hurt in my life. Help me to sincerely recognize the mistakes I have made out of ignorance, and give me the wisdom and determination to refrain from making the same mistakes. I know that love and forgiveness will transform every relationship in the most positive way.
Thank you, Creator, for giving me the capacity to love and forgive. Today I open my heart to love and forgiveness, so that I can share my love without fear. Today I will enjoy a reunion with the people I love the most. Amen
From Prayers, A Communion with our Creator by don Miguel Ruiz