article: on forgiveness

cal. 555

That forgiving others is at 350 says a lot about the persistence of the ego into the levels of integrity. Given that forgiveness ultimately belongs to God, it's telling that we feel we have any part in it. But we do feel that way, subjectively, until reaching unconditional love at 540. 

When we stop taking perceived offenses personally, seeing the experience of negative "juice" for what it is, i.e. pain and suffering, the proclivity for the ego to usurp God's function comes to an end. 

Offenses may still occur, but they are no longer a lever to pry us from the experience of joy. It might be said we forgive instantly, but it would be more accurate to say we see the innocence of others, even when offense is given. Then, there is nothing to forgive.

Seeing the innocence of others is facilitated by the understanding each person does the best he can. That one gives offense reveals his capability is, well, not so capable, and he cannot be expected to do better than that. Being what he is, it is illogical to judge him for what he is not, i.e. highly capable. 

The necessity of forgiving others, then, is based on a projection of how we think others should be. And giving up the juice of that is as easy as giving up the projected capability. So, we adjust expectation, requiring less of others until we require nothing of them. They need be only what they are. Then it's in God's hands. 

Cultivating forgiveness is thus a progressive exercise in releasing the illusion of others' presumptive capabilities and trusting God rather than enforcing projected ego expectations.

author: Brian Gibbs