Forgiveness is a wonderful act. Mystics, saints and spiritual teachings exalt its merits. Instinctively, we all know deep down that forgiveness is a positive expression of the spiritual life, but is forgiveness simply a good philosophy to live by, or does it have a higher value, a value that underscores a need, not a preference, for its expression?
To forgive means to forgive, that is, to forgive, to stop holding a grudge, to cancel a debt. In other words, forgiveness is letting go and not holding on. We forgive others when they do us wrong because we want them to forgive us when we do them wrong. It’s the golden rule: Do to others what you would like them to do to you.
We also forgive because, in truth, we are the most negatively affected by the negative energy that we hold on to when we do not forgive. As Saint Dariya of Bihar states, The poison sower cannot stop being engulfed by the poison. In other words, “what we sow, we reap” and “what goes around comes around”, phrases that represent karma (the law of action and reaction). We all know, perhaps have even uttered, this phrase of sowing and reaping, but do we really Live For this? Do we believe it? If we really lived it, would we do the things we often do?
The Karma/Reincarnation Connection
High-level mystical teachings inform us that reincarnation is a fact of life. San Sawan Singh says: The principle of reincarnation is a fact. It is part of the Creator’s scheme. And here is the critical problem: since what we sow, we reap, and since reincarnation is a fact of existence, then if we cling to another by holding on to resentments, then we are securing a negative connection with that person that will bind us to U.S. him in the future. Being tied to it, we will have to meet it again in some future life to balance the karmic books. However, if we forgive him for any act, then we let him go and free ourselves from having to be involved with him at some point in the future. Then we can be free to continue climbing spiritually instead of being burdened by the attachment that we create by not letting go, that is, by not forgiving. Therefore, forgiveness goes from being a beautiful philosophy to a law of life. In one word, forgiveness sets us free. By not forgiving, we remain attached to the perpetrator, energetically enslaved by the relationship and thus denying our own spiritual freedom.
Frankly, isn’t it true that if we don’t forgive those who hurt us, we become like them? If this happened, who would be in control, them or us? By not responding negatively to a negative act, we prevent an external force from controlling us. If we don’t react negatively to negative attacks but remain self-centered, we remain in control, in charge of who and what we are. Through this action of self-control, we plant virtuous, non-poisonous seeds. Therefore, we cannot be engulfed by the poison we sow, as Saint Dariya declares.
Resume
In short, forgiveness is a spiritual law of liberation, not just a nice formality or platitude. By not forgiving, we chain ourselves. By forgiving, we become free. Therefore, not forgiving is equivalent to slavery; pardon freedom. In consideration of this knowledge, what will each of us choose the next time we are tested with situations involving forgiveness? Will we choose to forgive and be free, or will we choose not to forgive and become slaves? Wisdom… and love… will dictate the answer.
