Forgiveness
Most world religions include teachings on the nature of forgiveness, and many of these teachings provide an underlying basis for many modern day traditions and practices of forgiveness. At CSL the practice of forgiveness is very importance to our spiritual growth. We cannot be free and hold onto blame, resentments, and persecution of ourselves and others at the same time. Forgiveness is an amazing, mystical tool that helps us choose God, choose compassion and love.
Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one who gets burned."
-Buddha
To not forgive will hurt only you. How do we do it? How do we drum up the energy needed to forgive when we feel so hurt, abandoned or victimized?
One of the fallacies about forgiveness is that we need to do it ourselves. Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." Jesus, to our spiritual community, is a brilliant and enlightened master teacher, a way-shower...the example, but not the exception. We look to him, as well as other great mystical teachers, for guidance. In this passage, which is considered the first of the seven last words, he shows us that we can and should call upon a higher power to do the forgiveness for us. This sets us all free! We don't have to figure it out or waste any mental or emotional energy on it. All we need to do is become willing to let a higher power of Love and Wholeness (God) do it through and for us.
The main problem that causes dis-ease, pain and suffering is the belief that we are separate from God. In reality there is no way to be separate from the love of Spirit, but in our fear we cut ourselves off from this truth. Forgiveness is the bridge that connects us back to our wholeness, peace, joy, prosperity, and all good.
Forgiveness is a process. For many of us it can be years of practice, but at CSL we know that if you persist and honor the goodness of God within yourself, you will have a healing: a revelation of oneness so profound that you will never be the same. You will see the incident that harmed you as a gift that transformed you and your relationship to Spirit.
Forgiveness is powerful. Your ego will never get it or understand it. But that part within you that is of God will know just how to heal you and set you free. Trust it and allow it to transform you.
CSL has a "Forgiveness Fridays" support group every Friday morning from 7-8am. Please join us!