Philosophy of Forgiveness:

The most powerful tool that human beings possess is Forgiveness. Men and women must learn to use forgiveness to bring peace to individuals, to communities, and to entire societies. Before we can apply forgiveness to our grief and grievances, however, we must dispel some myths about forgiveness. In our culture, forgiveness is usually seen as a sign of weakness. Our movies, generally, perceive an individual in fear approaching an individual in power with cries of mercy and forgiveness. Or, we may see a spouse seeking forgiveness from a mate for a perceived indiscretion. In almost every case forgiveness, in our society, is intended to release the offender from the feeling of guilt. We view forgiveness as a way for two people or two groups of people to settle disputes.

Forgiveness, however, are so much more.

In an article for Lifetime titled 'Forgive and Feel Better', Jeanann Pannasch wrote, "In a recent study, Charlotte Witvleit, Ph.D., a psychology professor at Hope College in Holland, Michigan, found that when individuals were able to forgive, they experienced greater joy, a more profound sense of control over life and less depression. Sound appealing?". She goes on to quote Everett L. Worthington Jr., Ph.D., executive director of A Campaign for Forgiveness Research who said, "But grudge-holding only gives us the illusion of power. If you hold on to that anger on a chronic basis, then it has power over you, eating away at your peace of mind and perhaps even your immune system.

Without seeming to usurp the meaning in the words of Jeanann Pannasch, the key difference between our common attitude toward forgiveness and what she writes is in the place of emphasis. Our common attitude assumes that forgiveness is more beneficial to the person asking for forgiveness.

Jeanann Pannasch places the emphasis on the person giving forgiveness. Her interpretation represents the most powerful use of forgiveness. When we grant forgiveness, we release from within ourselves some form of fear, hate, anger, and guilt. We make room within us for more love to enter. Forgiveness is equally beneficial to the giver and to the receiver. But the giver has far more discretion on how forgiveness may be used in his or her life, and, that is where the power of forgiveness lies.

There are no limitations to forgiveness. Forgiveness can be given openly to a person or persons face to face. However, forgiveness is most effective when given to a person or persons, to a situation, or to an entire culture from within without ever mentioning that forgiveness to another person. Why? Because the most effective use of forgiveness is to clear our own mind's paths of debris and sludge. These paths have become filled with fear, hate, anger, and guilt. Our ability to give and receive love is diminished. Our ability to communicate to our higher self is blocked. When we have a thought, any thought, that thought is communicated. If it is not communicated, openly, through speech or through writing does not mean that it does not have impact. Every thought has an impact. Thoughts of fear, hate, anger, and guilt have a great impact within. We may not be aware of the impact. But, there is an impact. Thoughts of forgiveness have a great impact within especially for the person doing the forgiving. The thought of forgiveness becomes part of universal energy and reaches the minds of all those accepting that forgiveness.

About Us:

Our newsletters are our means to reach out to others who are in search of basic truth. This search began almost 30 years ago with one question: How can we balance our lives? The summary of the answer to this question was compiled in a book titled 'Creating Your Personal Journey'. The book was published in 1996. The search has continued as we adapt to a new question: What is the truth? We are guided by the thought that, 'The best way to learn anything is to teach it.

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? Copyright 2005 Roger Paradis

Roger L. Paradis-"We R One"
http://www.were-one.com
mail to paradisrjs@were-one.com
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Creating a New Vision for the 21st Century