With Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) starting tomorrow night at sundown, I would like the opportunity to address the subject of forgiveness, and to finally open my blog to the public with this most intricate subject...
We need to (more so, must)
admit when we are wrong and recognize our own wrong doing. Although it may be
very difficult, we must in turn apologize for doing such to the person who we
may have hurt or caused harm to. ultimately be extremely satisfying
On the other hand, if you don’t have the
strength to contact the person (which is ideal as otherwise a person’s
spiritual growth is curtailed to an extent), then let time ease your pain &
try to let things go. Even if you are no longer in touch with your loved one (or
another party in a whatever relationship that it may be), because too much time
has elapsed and too much pain has been caused to both of you, and for now there’s
no possibility of peace between you, then let them go in peace and allow love
for them to enter your heart. Try not to think negatively or badly of them
(negativity ultimately destroys the health of your heart, mind and soul, as
well as its goodness). Simply, try to let them go with kindness. They
accomplished their deed for being present in your life and completed what it is
that they needed to do in your life. Now, you must find the recognition, faith
and courage within yourself in order to move on in peace for your own good. This
is what we refer to as Tikun or Tikun Olam (the ability to fix one another and
ultimately the world).
None of us are relieved from our responsibilities to G-d and to our fellow
humans on what is right and what is wrong to do... The actual action of apology
(which is often extremely hard to do and that's why people tend to shy away
from it,) allows one the act of cleansing of the inner spirit and for major spiritual
growth. Once you do it from the deepest part of your gut or soul, you will feel
so good about yourself, that it really won’t matter any longer if the other
person will accepts your apology or not... Now the “ball of peace” will be in
the other party’s court. Hopefully, the other party will act positively as
well.
According to the Torah, if you really feel that you have done another
person wrong, you must ask that person for forgiveness three times. After that,
you are in the clear and are absolved from asking for forgiveness from that
person any further.
Therefore, once we learn to take responsibility for our own actions and will no longer point the “finger of blame” at someone else (which way too often we point at our own loved ones), we will defuse our anger, and thus will prevent any unneeded arguments or fights. In this way, we will be able clean our heart & our soul, and will have the ability to find the truth.
Most importantly, when we have finally recognized our own wrong doing and
have asked for forgiveness, it's important to remember and try not to make the
same mistake in your future actions. Otherwise, our apology becomes
meaningless, and our spirit will continue to go around & around in circles
without ever reaching its “tikun” or the higher spiritual level.
On the other hand of the spectrum, I believe in completely forgiving those who have hurt or wronged me without the expectation of an apology from anyone. I trust that the act of completely & unconditionally forgiving someone is the best medicine for an individual's well balanced and healthy body, mind and spirit. Therefore, I'm letting go of all the past baggage and am looking forward to a happy, healthy, fulfilling and completely whole future.
On the other hand of the spectrum, I believe in completely forgiving those who have hurt or wronged me without the expectation of an apology from anyone. I trust that the act of completely & unconditionally forgiving someone is the best medicine for an individual's well balanced and healthy body, mind and spirit. Therefore, I'm letting go of all the past baggage and am looking forward to a happy, healthy, fulfilling and completely whole future.
We are all here to learn our lessons and grow spiritually…
With my own request for forgiveness from G-d, Universe, and all Men-Kind…
Easy Fast & Gmar Chatima Tova (May we all be inscribed in the Good Book of Life)...
Easy Fast & Gmar Chatima Tova (May we all be inscribed in the Good Book of Life)...
Yours Truly, I.N. <3 :-)