Forgiveness

‘Forgiveness is really self-forgiveness. If the world is simply a reflection of your own mind, if all blame and judgment are projections of your own guilt and self-attack, then forgiveness of others releases both the others and the subconscious guilt within you. Guilt is really a form of arrogance which makes life all about oneself, rather than just learning the lesson, correcting the mistake and moving on. Forgiveness puts things in perspective and brings back innocence. It returns life to ease, flow and confidence. Forgiveness is not a form of winning the competition while another fails. Nor is it about condescension or superiority. It is not deigning to grant the other mercy – which is really superiority (hidden judgment and overcompensation for guilt and feelings of inadequacy) and competition (distraction from success and fear of the next step).’
Chuck Spezzano

‘Finding a way to extend forgiveness to ourselves is one of our most essential tasks.
Just as others have been caught in suffering, so have we.
If we look honestly at our life, we can see the sorrows and pain that have led to our own wrongdoing. In this we can finally extend forgiveness to ourselves; we can hold the pain we caused in compassion. Without such mercy, we will live our own life in exile.’
Jack Kornfield

‘Forgiveness is to reach the point of knowing that everything always was, is and will be, in perfect balance, and that there is nothing therefore to forgive.
Gratitude then wells up in your heart. When you accept the gift from every perceived negative in your life, and when gratitude for every occurrence in your life is the only thought and emotion you hold – then you have reached the point of total forgiveness.’
John Homewood

‘Forgiveness does not mean that we suppress anger; forgiveness means that we have asked for a miracle: the ability to see through mistakes that someone has made to the truth that lies in all of our hearts. Forgiveness is not always easy. At times, it feels more painful than the wound we suffered, to forgive the one that inflicted it. And yet, there is no peace without forgiveness. Attack thoughts towards others are attack thoughts towards ourselves. The first step in forgiveness is the willingness to forgive.’
Marianne Williamson

‘When you hold resentment toward another, you are bound to that person or condition by an emotional link that is stronger than steel. Forgiveness is the only way to dissolve that link and get free.’
Catherine Ponder

‘To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover the prisoner was you.’
Unknown Author

‘If you want to see the heroic look at those who can love in return for hatred.
If you want to see the brave, look for those who can forgive.’
Bhagavad Gita

‘Never does the human soul appear so strong as when is foregoes revenge and dares to forgive an injury.’
Edwin Hubbell Chapin

‘The truth is, unless you let go, unless you forgive yourself, unless you forgive the situation, unless you realise that the situation is over, you cannot move forward.’
Steve Maraboli

‘When you hold resentment toward another, you are bound to that person or condition by an emotional link that is stronger than steel. Forgiveness is the only way to dissolve that link and get free.’
Catherine Ponder

‘Forgiveness is a decision, not a feeling, because when we forgive we no longer feel the offense, we no longer feel resentment. … Forgive, that alone will bring peace to your soul and to the soul of the one who has hurt you.’
Mother Teresa

‘Forgiveness is better than revenge, for forgiveness is the sign of a gentle nature, but revenge is the sign of a savage nature.’
Epictetus