Forgiveness 102

We've all met people who believe that they have been wronged and they are so hurt and damaged by the experience, that they refuse to forgive the other person. This post is dedicated to everyone who is holding on to a grudge or resentment toward another person.

The first step toward being able to forgive someone is recognising that you actively need to do so! And no matter what the situation is if you don't believe that you should, it's unlikely you'll find it in your heart to do so. You may not believe you can just yet, all you need to do is simply believe you want to and need to. 

Top 3 Reasons why it is so important for your to choose Forgiveness:

1. Forgiveness is not about other people. It's about you. Whether or not the other person deserves to be forgiven, you deserve to be free from resentment and hate. Holding on to anger and hate is like 'drinking poison and expecting the other person to die' - and you really don't have the space for that in your already stressed out existence. 

Choose life. 

2. Another extremely selfish reason to forgive derives from the Law of Karma. 

None of us are made perfect and we all make mistakes. Life teaches us to learn and grow from our mistakes. But our mistakes, more often than not, affect other people, hurt the people we love, or cause pain to someone. 

If you believe you deserve to be forgiven, then surely you need to forgive. That's the Law of Karma. You reap what you sow. 

3. Forgiveness is the start of your own healing process. The act of forgiveness generates so much goodwill that you begin to heal yourself - as the layers of negative emotions and thoughts that have been stored are released, the mind and body both are filled with kind and loving energy that allows you to heal and grow - physically, mentally, emotionally. 

Take a moment to think of all those people you hold something against - recognise the divinity (whether you believe it to exist or not) within them, and forgive them, whole heartedly. You don't have to best best friends again, or be married to each other again, or even speak to each other ever again. Just forgive them and bless them a life of peace and happiness. 

Set them free. Set yourself free. 

Fundas of the Karmic Law

As Hindus, Indians strongly believe in the concept of Karma. Until about a year ago, I wasn't sure what Karma actually meant and did not believe in the existence of this rather mathematical esoteric equation. I don't understand religion; I also don't follow blind faith. But over the course of two years, I've come to some basic conclusions forming my own belief system. Not without a crazy amount of resistance and questioning...

We all know people who live blissfully ignorant happy lives - under the burden of corruption, murder, treachery, lies, or simply disdain. If we were to do onto others as we want done onto ourselves, this then would eliminate any existence of the resolution of our karmic debts in one lifetime. To truly understand Karma, for all the avoidance of religion, the greater Truth lies in the Bhagwad Gita. 

The first appearance of Karma comes in the Bhagwad Gita. To truly understand the sow and reap mechanism of words, deeds, actions, you need to accept that there was life before this one, and there will, in all likelihood, be one after, the quality of which, to some extent, is determined by your past and present karma! Let's assume, for now, that this is true. 

Here's my quick understanding:

1. You only control your own Karma

You cant know the past and future details of other peoples choices, nor can you understand the state their life is in. You can only determine your choices and hence your own Karma. One of the biggest mistakes I've made is look at people and wonder, why me and not them? 

2. You will pay for your past

You may not understand why something is happening to you, but know that there are lessons to be learnt and therein is the greatest secret. Learn your lessons, and move on.... pay your karmic debts. Acceptance and growth, versus resistance is the way to simply live through everything that comes you to in life. Lessons are not easy, and often hit you hardest, till you learn them and allow them to change something in your core (Soul?)

3. Loving Kindness & Forgiveness

You want to beat the law of Karma for things you may have said or done? Start today! Whatever has to manifest will manifest itself but you can afford some control -the seeds of love, mercy and forgiveness will reap fruits for you here as well, in this life and maybe the ones that follow. This is possibly the only way to negate previous bad karma. 

Be good. 

That still remains the bottom line. And somewhere the Gita also says that detach yourself from the consequences, but that is for discussion on another day.