This Week's Quotation:
Forgiveness, on the other hand, is still, and quietly does nothing. It offends no aspect of reality, nor seeks to twist it to appearances it likes. It merely looks, and waits, and judges not. He who would not forgive must judge, for he must justify his failure to forgive. But he who would forgive himself must learn to welcome truth exactly as it is.
A Course in Miracles, W-pII.1.4:1-5
Forgiveness Again and Again
Rev. Berry Behr, Global Interfaith Ambassador
Making mistakes is part of the human condition. If I let them, even minor ones can take up residence in my head and consume my energy, my attention, and my joy.
Recently, I made a mistake in an Open Windows Blog. I quoted Abdu'l-Bahá, naming him as the founder of the Baha’i faith. In fact, Abdu'l-Bahá was the son of Baháʼu'lláh, the true founder of that faith. The error was mentioned to me by a humble and learned man, in a tone of informative kindness. It was a silly mistake to have made and I am sorry for sharing incorrect information. I am deeply grateful to my friend for his gentle approach, enabling me to see how I can do better and commit to being more mindful in the future.
Another friend who also made a mistake suffered a different response. Carried away by a creative energy, she found herself using a colleague’s property without consent. The moment she realised the transgression, she felt mortified and requested forgiveness. It was withheld. For weeks, my friend was severely ostracized and punished to the point of persecution.
Contrary to the teachings of all faiths, we live in a world that loves blame. Our world speaks about peace but chooses war, uses the concept of unity to create division, and hijacks theologies of love to perpetuate hate. Most of us are so conditioned to this collectively inherited thought pattern that we don’t see it. We equate punishment with justice: punishing others and ourselves (in a million inventive and subtle ways, sometimes) makes us feel righteous, superior, and victorious. We don’t realise we are sacrificing our compassion, our relationships, and our humanity and compromising our faith. Is it worth it?
In the Christian Bible (John 8:7) Jesus saves an accused woman from a vengeful group saying, Let he who is without sin cast the first stone. In A Course in Miracles, we are again encouraged to look within to recognize the misguidedness of our own behaviour without justifying. Self-forgiveness requires courage and honesty. Learning self-compassion through deep understanding, we naturally share it. Like love and like light, the area around the initiation point benefits first. Then, radiating compassionate forgiveness, we make it possible for others to forgive themselves. Our world becomes a kinder, warmer, safer place. Everybody wins.
About Open Windows
We, the authors of this blog, dedicate it to the transparent exploration of the world’s sacred scripture and enlightened spiritual thought. We believe that the original inspiration of all faiths comes from a common source, named and revered in a myriad of ways. With that understanding, the innumerable symbols, beliefs, and practices of faith cease to divide. They become open windows to a common reality that inspires and unifies us. We find deeper insight and nourishment in our own faith and from the expression of faith from others.
We hope these weekly quotations and meditations speak to your heart and soul.
Thank you so much, Berry. ACIM is a book I frequently refer to for guidance and this quotation is very timely for me. Much love, Jeannie
Yes, Everybody wins! Thank you, Berry. Love, Tom
Thank You Berry for Your work in this area of inter-faith, And this particular topic the way you covered it and the subtle ways we can free ourselves and each other by seeing the areas where we can forgive understanding and have compassion we may not have noticed before with out looking at it. Such an area of service here. I think the heart and Minds of every human being is so hungry for the release from such unneeded suffering which has been so commonly excepted in our culture. What an inspiration to even just consider the possibility of true forgiveness. Thank You !