Apology and Forgiveness

Apology and Forgiveness are amongst the most divine aspects of our being. Forgiveness represents freedom from the past, and from self. Apology represents freedom from self, and an offer of freedom for another.

When we forgive, we exercise very profound 'spiritual muscles', if you will. It is not easy to let go of the wrongs others have committed towards us. So much of us screams out, "No! They don't deserve it!"

"Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal from the fire to hurl at your enemy -- you are the one who gets burned." Buddha

I hold that we should forgive regardless of any 'deserving'. I am not saying this is easy...in fact, it can be quite difficult, depending on the magnitude of the transgression to be forgiven, and the amount of apparent regret the 'other' feels regarding the pain inflicted -- intentionally or not -- upon us.

Amongst the most important reasons to forgive is that it releases the held negativity we may be feeling, ourselves, from the wrong. While it can't heal bones, or stop pain -- it can greatly ease suffering.

Forgiveness is freedom from what came before, without the loss of the lesson learned.

"He that cannot forgive others, breaks the bridge over which he himself must pass if he would ever reach heaven; for everyone has need to be forgiven." Herbert George

Forgiveness also requires that we take our sense of self with a grain of salt -- for who are we to judge others, in the end, and to say whether their actions will -- when all is said and done -- help or hinder?

Does not that which cannot kill us only make us stronger?

This leads to apology, which requires spiritual endurance and fitness at least equal to forgiveness. Apology is the acceptance that one had a part to play in the calamity that panned out. It is the humble acknowledgment of one's own wrong doing. In this way, it is a powerful tool to aid the proper contextualization of Ego...and, hence (hopefully) its eventual transcendence.

There is another force at play, however: Freedom. If forgiveness is freedom from what came before, then apology is the offering of help to another (whom it is likely we ourselves have also wronged) in letting go, forgiving -- and, hence, being free.

Therefore I state, to all those whom it is applicable -- and, most especially, whom recent events have disturbed in any way -- I apologize for my considerable part.

And to all those whom have made me angry, I forgive you.

I ask for nothing in return, and would change no accordance come to...only to inform that I hold no grudges. Know -- and if you are the one you know I refer to you -- that the decision you made was not the one I intended you to make. Diversity in community adds stability in crisis. There is room for you, and those who treasure your insight.

Many appeared to benefit from your wisdom, and seem to find joy in your company.

Do not deprive them merely because this one couldn't stop tilting at the windmills you tossed in his path.

Just because God from this perspective isn't quite compatible with God from your perspective does nothing to change the fact that they are both God...from a certain point of view. ^_^

Much love.