The Art of Forgiveness

Forgiveness is not something that is always easy to seek nor is it easily given away. But forgiveness liberates you and gives you another chance to make a new beginning. It is in your best interest to forgive people, but to forgive yourself as well. Once you understand why you should forgive, it becomes easier.

 Let yourself be vulnerable and accept your emotions

Acceptance is the greatest desire in the world for inner-transformation. And transformation is possible only by accepting yourself unconditionally, not by only desiring it.

After many discussions, anger is the first feeling to arise. It is actually a mask you unconsciously put on to hide from yourself heavier feelings and emotions. Don’t let your Ego magnify what is happening inside you, just allow it to happen and observe it. You are not your ego, you are only the watcher. Just stand to the side and it will pass. Nothing is permanent. By forgiving, you treat yourself with love and care. You liberate yourself. It is not something you give another, it is something you offer to yourself to end your own suffering.

Be compassionate always

To be able to forgive others, it is helpful to understand where they are coming from. We judge people very easily, and we have the tendency to make assumptions about everything. The problem with making assumptions is that we believe they are the truth. But they are not and we create a lot of emotional poison just by making assumptions and taking it personally. Our world is proper to us, and everybody lives in a different dream. Be aware about this fact. Don’t make assumptions and do not take anything personally. Be compassionate, practice mercy and forgiveness will naturally arise. Mercy stops you from behaving out of fear and moves you into acting out of love. You become aware and empowered.

Finally, it doesn’t really matter if you are right or wrong, what really matters is how you carry yourself through adversity. You cannot always understand others but you can choose your perception and control yourself, trying to be impeccable with your acts and with your words. Always be gentle, to yourself and towards others.

“You have the power to take someone’s happiness by refusing to forgive. That someone is you.” – Alan Cohen