"Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us." That's part of a prayer that Jesus taught his disciples. Jesus knew the role forgiveness plays in life. Jesus knew that life is a series of sins, committed by us and others on each other.
That's why I don't agree with my friend Sunaina's contention at Indiblogger (Indispire Edition 124 #Forgiveness) that "Forgiveness is not easy to come by." On the contrary, I think the world rests on the shoulders of Atlas who is a personification of forgiveness more than anything else.
How would the world continue this far unless we forgave the relentless trespasses on our personal space by others? Teachers who warped our minds and preachers who perverted our souls? Politicians who assault our integrity with the ruthless steadfastness of the bulldozer? Employers' heartless exploitation? The endless craving of our gods for blood?
We forgive even if history may not forget. Our forgiveness may have certain tinges. Of subdued anger. Of bitter tears. Of endured agonies. Our forgiveness may have its roots in helplessness. Our forgiveness may be the sigh of a little dream.
But we forgive. So that we can endure new offences. Inevitable offences.
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| Atlas |
How would the world continue this far unless we forgave the relentless trespasses on our personal space by others? Teachers who warped our minds and preachers who perverted our souls? Politicians who assault our integrity with the ruthless steadfastness of the bulldozer? Employers' heartless exploitation? The endless craving of our gods for blood?
We forgive even if history may not forget. Our forgiveness may have certain tinges. Of subdued anger. Of bitter tears. Of endured agonies. Our forgiveness may have its roots in helplessness. Our forgiveness may be the sigh of a little dream.
But we forgive. So that we can endure new offences. Inevitable offences.
Forgiveness has another dimension. Sometimes, we forgive the fellow humans for their wrong doing since we are so weak that we can't even raise a finger against them.
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DeleteYes, Easwar ji, that's the helplessness I mentioned in the post.
DeleteI agree - we forgive more often that not. And the 'forget'ting is the difficult part.
ReplyDeleteThe injuries are so deep sometimes that the scars remain glaringly reminding us, reviving memories.
DeleteIt is my experience that we never really forgive, we only make peace with the hurt. Forgiving is an active and conscious action or choice. I have never been able to forgive anyone ever. That doesn’t mean I haven’t moved passed the pain or that I want their misery. With passage of time I learn to say ‘It’s alright’ and walk past the incident.
ReplyDeleteLoved this post, Tomichan. You have laid down with earnestness the way to peace. As always written with your signature lucidity.
The kind of forgiveness you mention is the ideal, Anupam. How many people are capable of that? Most of us, including you and me, belong to the other category you've mentioned: practical forgives - making peace with the situations.
DeleteSir,good to read about forgiveness I believe forgive and forget but stay away from that person who hurts u all d time so that u r at peace all the time
ReplyDeleteOne more thing time heals d scars only wen u separate urslf from d one who hurts
You can stay away from the whole world of man if you have the resources required for living alone or in limited company. Otherwise life is a game of sins and atonements.
DeleteGlad to see you here. Hope those whom you want to keep away have the same attitude toward you too. Often Satan is that person... 😁
Our forgiveness may be the sigh of a little dream - how beautifully you write. The helplessness itself makes it difficult, I feel.
ReplyDeleteI was the first one to vote for your Indispire suggestion, Sunaina. I must thank you for reviving the little dream that's dying within me.
DeleteAnd while submitting this prompt, I hoped that you would write on this....
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ReplyDeleteExactly. Can the world continue on its own without the burden carried by Atlas. A gloomy cloud in its full despair will overshadow the world if the Atlas Shrunks.
ReplyDeleteUmm that should have been shrugs but shrunks sound cool yet meaningless:)
DeleteNo, Atlas shrugged once for Ayn Rand. Now he will carry on bearing the burden.
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