FORGIVENESS

We had rain over the weekend. It didn't help much to melt the snow, but it created a skating rink of the driveway and the paths, too, are treacherous. It makes doing the chores interesting.

I don't have the wisdom to do justice to today's topic. It is the most important thing that we individually and collectively need to do if we are to have individual or world peace. Intellectually, it is simple. You say, "I forgive you". But forgiveness is in layers; you haven't forgiven if the hurt still comes to your mind. You haven't forgiven if the memory of the hurt still guides you in some way, no matter how small. If you are wary of the person who hurt you, either the threat is real and, you shouldn't be standing so close to a hot stove, or your forgiveness isn't complete.

Even if you have trouble forgiving completely, your intent to forgive is very powerful and will be freeing both to you and the forgivee. The importance of forgiveness cannot be overstated. Genuine peace awaits forgiveness.

Peace comes when you hold no one else responsible for what bugs you. If you have the urge to blame something or somebody else; you have something yet to forgive.

Despite my intent, I haven't forgiven completely. Examining myself intellectually, I cannot see how I have left anybody or any situation unforgiven. Yet, I have feelings arise, occasionally, that can only occur when one is still holding on to some pain or grief. These little capsules of hurt that exist in our psyche get smaller and smaller as one doesn't reinforce the feelings that they generate. When you are invited to feel a past pain, you can look at it and dismiss it and every time you do it, it becomes less important. Soon it will fade away completely.

One thing that helped free me; was seeing that everybody is innocent. We are, all, in these bodies, trapped by our ego generated perception. People that hurt are hurting. They are trapped in a dismal picture of a dangerous world. They are temporarily blind to love. They are innocent of intentional wrong doing. 

Yes there are others, some in high places, who appear to do intentional harm. These are people, who are so damaged, that they cannot believe that love is real. To them all 'soft' feelings are suspect and only used for manipulation. Although, some of these folks do immense damage, withholding your forgiveness only hurts you. If you spent a few minutes being them, you would understand their painful emptiness.

On close examination, everyone is innocent. Those tortured souls, who do not, yet, know love, will need to have experiences to help them see. Some will need to be locked up and separated from the rest of us for societies protection. They need love, not punishment. We may still lack the means to treat their afflictions, but, we do know how to treat them as human beings.

As the world collapses around us, many in high places will fall and many of these people will need to be secured away from society for our protection. Resist the urge to be scornful. It is good to celebrate the freedom their arrest will bring. Be clear, however, that they need our love and forgiveness to help them turn to the light.

We have been waiting for a long time. We are now on the verge of some great changes. Continue to pour your love onto the world. The world is grateful for your every loving intention. Hearts are opening! Minds are understanding! It won't be long.

Love and Peace,  Gregg