The Three Steps to Forgiveness

Something has to die in order for us to begin to know our truths.
–Adrienne Rich

How many of us find our lives poisoned by the inability to forgive?
We know how difficult it is to cultivate inner peace without
forgiveness, and yet many of us find ourselves holding on to anger
and resentment instead.

This simple approach to forgiveness invites us to begin thinking
about the issue in a different way. Find out the three “A’s”
of forgiveness, and begin the process:

1. AWARENESS
What is denied cannot be forgiven.
Awareness of our inner world is as important as awareness of our outer world.
Our egos will fight our attempts to become more aware of our darker sides.
Watch thoughts without judgment–develop a “compassionate witness.”
The ability to watch thinking means we are not our thoughts.

2. ACCEPTANCE
What you resist persists.
Acceptance dissolves guilt.
Acceptance invites healing and change.
Change is feared and can block forgiveness.

3. ASKING FOR HELP
Awareness and acceptance are our responsibility.
A genuine desire for peace invites healing.
Our inner guide completes the forgiveness process and will choose the form forgiveness takes: our job is to surrender to its guidance.

Read more: Spirit, Inspiration

Adapted from The Findhorn Book of Forgiveness, by Michael Dawson (Findhorn Press, 2003). Copyright (c) 2003 by Michael Dawson. Reprinted by permission of Lantern Books.
Adapted from The Findhorn Book of Forgiveness, by Michael Dawson (Findhorn Press, 2003).

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Michele W.

2:06AM PDT on Oct 11, 2011

Thank you

send a green star

Faith B.

3:07PM PDT on Sep 20, 2011

great article, thanks for sharing :)

Jennifer C.

5:20AM PDT on Sep 10, 2011

Thank you.

Camilla V.

12:45AM PDT on Apr 10, 2011

nope

Jon H.

11:33AM PDT on Mar 28, 2011

Forgiving yourself lets you be stronger in forgiving others to make things right. Forgiving is almost like a rebirth of ones spirit.

Brenda G.

3:48PM PST on Mar 12, 2011

I believe there is actually NOTHING that is unforgivable. It may be difficult to forgive some actions. It may feel impossible to forgive the hurt that was inflicted. But hurt is felt only by the ego. It's very real to our ego, of course and can and does cause us a great deal of suffering and unhappiness. But if we can contact a higher or deeper part of ourselves then we see from a different perspective and from there we can forgive. Indeed from there we never actually judge and so there is no need for forgiveness. It is my belief that lack of forgiveness hurts us even more than the original action that caused us the pain. We need to forgive for our own sake, otherwise we simply carry the weight of pain with us all our lives. I know this is a difficult subject but it's the difficult subjects that bring us the greatest potential for growth. That's what we're here for, isn't it?

Carmen B.

5:27PM PST on Feb 12, 2011

Intresting! I know the 9 steps to forgifness !

Tina S.

6:09PM PDT on Nov 3, 2010

This is so true. If we want forgiveness, then we ourselves have to forgive. It also hellps with alleviating karma; the world needs to let go of so much resentment to be able to start from a place of love and harmony. The more we forgive, the better things wil be. Do you know that we can even affect the past and the future in our forgiving? It goes back 9 generations and forward 9 generations to help solve what has happened. This is simply brilliant. Forgiving can also help to solve problems that you might happen to find yourself in.

June H.

1:34PM PDT on Oct 24, 2010

I am still battling to really learn how to forgive and it is heartening to know that others are also facing this challenge. Thank for the guidelines.

Adam P.

7:24AM PDT on Oct 1, 2010

Thanks