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The power of forgivness.

Spirit of Light

Be who ever you want
To forgive someone means to let go of it, and be able to live in the present moment, and not dwelling in something that happend in the past.

But it does not seems like human beings are able to forgive anymore? Why is this so in your understanding?
 

We Never Know

No Slack
To forgive someone means to let go of it, and be able to live in the present moment, and not dwelling in something that happend in the past.

But it does not seems like human beings are able to forgive anymore? Why is this so in your understanding?

Yes many dwell on things instead of forgiving. One must remember forgiving isn't forgetting. Just because you forgive someone of whatever doesn't mean you forget it. You just moved past it, forgave them and move along with your life instead of letting it be an anchor in your life. That's my opinion.
 

Spirit of Light

Be who ever you want
Yes many dwell on things instead of forgiving. One must remember forgiving isn't forgetting. Just because you forgive someone of whatever doesn't mean you forget it. You just moved past it, forgave them and move along with your life instead of letting it be an anchor in your life. That's my opinion.
Yes you are right that forgetting it, can lead to doing the same again. But the problem in the world today is that people do not let go of it, example they still talk about WW2 as if it was last year. We must move on to live in present day, and not 70-80 years back in time. But ofcourse we take the lesson from it with us.
 

The Reverend Bob

Fart Machine and Beastmaster
To forgive someone means to let go of it, and be able to live in the present moment, and not dwelling in something that happend in the past.

But it does not seems like human beings are able to forgive anymore? Why is this so in your understanding?
We don't forgive because we don't forget. We remember the harm people have caused us, so why should we forgive them of past wrongs?
 

Spirit of Light

Be who ever you want
We don't forgive because we don't forget. We remember the harm people have caused us, so why should we forgive them of past wrongs?
Because as you say, it is in the past, Not longer with us. except for a memory of it. But the action is finish. And for people to get peace within, to forgive is the best "medicine" for the mind.
 

sun rise

The world is on fire
Premium Member
We must move on to live in present day, and not 70-80 years back in time. But ofcourse we take the lesson from it with us.

When there are echoes of the past in today's world, we need to maintain a historical perspective. That's not about forgiveness at all.
 

Estro Felino

Believer in free will
Premium Member
As a Christian I believe that what makes our heart pure is to desire people's happiness.

Christ said "we must desire the happiness of anyone, even of those who hate you or harmed you".

The first thing I tell God every morning is "thank You God for giving me a pure heart"
 

Nakosis

Non-Binary Physicalist
Premium Member
To forgive someone means to let go of it, and be able to live in the present moment, and not dwelling in something that happend in the past.

But it does not seems like human beings are able to forgive anymore? Why is this so in your understanding?

I choose to forgive others for my sake. I see no benefit to myself in holding a "grudge" against others. In fact I feel I should thank them for showing me a weakness that someone else was able to take advantage of.
 
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Vinayaka

devotee
Premium Member
To forgive someone means to let go of it, and be able to live in the present moment, and not dwelling in something that happend in the past.

But it does not seems like human beings are able to forgive anymore? Why is this so in your understanding?
It's not in my understanding. I've met tons of people who don't hold onto grudges. Yes, some do. My guess would be that the reason they do varies from person to person ... the pain was so strong it's just really hard, or no training in that area of the mind are a couple of reasons from the top of my head.
 

Spirit of Light

Be who ever you want
When there are echoes of the past in today's world, we need to maintain a historical perspective. That's not about forgiveness at all.
As you say, it is history, we do not live in the past. we live now. So why hold anger or frustration over something that happend in the past?
We know of the history of mankind because people have written about it. And example religious history or teachings are very important to understand forgivness, But a war can only teach us what to not do in a physical world, But we should be able to forgive the "enemy" from that time
 

Brickjectivity

Turned to Stone. Now I stretch daily.
Staff member
Premium Member
To forgive someone means to let go of it, and be able to live in the present moment, and not dwelling in something that happend in the past.

But it does not seems like human beings are able to forgive anymore? Why is this so in your understanding?
People are layered, and those layers hide our own inner workings. For a long time I confused low self esteem as a generous nature. I had the appearance of a good nature and knew what it was like to behave like I did. Forgiveness did not seem difficult, much like death does not seem real to younger men or doing a favor for your son doesn't seem difficult. There are actions we take which appear generically forgiving or good which don't reflect an inner practice and commitment. These can deceive us into thinking we don't need improvement.

Another reason people have trouble forgiving, besides self deception, is that it feels good to be angry and right. Feeling good can be very important to someone who is not happy or who is in the habit of the highs that anger can bring. Anger can make you feel good, not just bad.

Shame is another reason people can't forgive. All kinds of things cause people shame both deserved and undeserved. We are none of us truly independent creatures and need to see ourselves reflected in others. If our experiences bring shame, then they bring rejection with them. Our emotional intelligence and ability to differentiate comes into play, but a lot of people do not have a strong ability to separate false shame from healthy shame.
 

Kenny

Face to face with my Father
Premium Member
To forgive someone means to let go of it, and be able to live in the present moment, and not dwelling in something that happend in the past.

But it does not seems like human beings are able to forgive anymore? Why is this so in your understanding?

This is so true. And since we can't change the past, if we are still living in it (unforgiveness), then we can't change either being stuck in the past.

That is why I so appreciate Jesus' parable on the King who forgave a debt a man could not pay but the man could not forgive the smaller debt of his brother... it says that the man remained in torment. Unforgiveness keeps one in torment as I see it.
 

The Hammer

[REDACTED]
Premium Member
To forgive someone means to let go of it, and be able to live in the present moment, and not dwelling in something that happend in the past.

But it does not seems like human beings are able to forgive anymore? Why is this so in your understanding?

To many external distractions, that allows one to never actually have to spend time "alone" with ones thoughts. Mindful contemplation is the first step to exploring the inner realms, and moving towards forgiveness.
 

Spirit of Light

Be who ever you want
To many external distractions, that allows one to never actually have to spend time "alone" with ones thoughts. Mindful contemplation is the first step to exploring the inner realms, and moving towards forgiveness.
So true :) To be able to forgive others one must first be calm and mindful from within.
Meditation is a very good example how to calm the mind
 

Altfish

Veteran Member
As a Christian I believe that what makes our heart pure is to desire people's happiness.

Christ said "we must desire the happiness of anyone, even of those who hate you or harmed you".

The first thing I tell God every morning is "thank You God for giving me a pure heart"
How does that tie in with your far right politics and support for racist parties?
 

Erebus

Well-Known Member
To forgive someone means to let go of it, and be able to live in the present moment, and not dwelling in something that happend in the past.

But it does not seems like human beings are able to forgive anymore? Why is this so in your understanding?

I'm one of those who has an extremely difficult time forgiving people if they genuinely hurt me. The best I can usually do is to not actively wish harm on somebody but there's never a redemptive element. Any affection or sympathy I had for them evaporates instantly and there's no undoing it.

I couldn't tell you for certain why that's the case for me (or others who have a similar inability to forgive) though I expect at least some of it stems from my general dislike of people. It's very easy to reinforce misanthropy.
 

Spirit of Light

Be who ever you want
I'm one of those who has an extremely difficult time forgiving people if they genuinely hurt me. The best I can usually do is to not actively wish harm on somebody but there's never a redemptive element. Any affection or sympathy I had for them evaporates instantly and there's no undoing it.

I couldn't tell you for certain why that's the case for me (or others who have a similar inability to forgive) though I expect at least some of it stems from my general dislike of people. It's very easy to reinforce misanthropy.
Even you struggle with forgivness, you do have a good quality in that you do not wish harm on them, even you do not feel symphaty with them anymore.
It would be difficult or maybe wrong of me to try to explain how to become more forgiving toward others, So i will not do that :) But i do wish you well.
 

Vee

Well-Known Member
Premium Member
To forgive someone means to let go of it, and be able to live in the present moment, and not dwelling in something that happened in the past.

But it does not seems like human beings are able to forgive anymore? Why is this so in your understanding?

Forgiveness is a very important christian value. Everyone does things wrong sometimes and if they genuinely repent and apologize, forgiving is the right thing to do. First because we too make mistakes, and if we want others to forgive us we should likewise forgive them, but also because it allows us to "turn the page" and move forward.
Letting go of negative feelings towards someone else is such a good feeling. So much better than holding grudges and being emotionally intoxicated by bleak thoughts.
I recon that some things are very difficult to forgive and even harder to forget, if at all possible. It takes time and a lot of work.
 

The Reverend Bob

Fart Machine and Beastmaster
Forgiveness is a very important christian value. Everyone does things wrong sometimes and if they genuinely repent and apologize, forgiving is the right thing to do. First because we too make mistakes, and if we want others to forgive us we should likewise forgive them, but also because it allows us to "turn the page" and move forward.
Letting go of negative feelings towards someone else is such a good feeling. So much better than holding grudges and being emotionally intoxicated by bleak thoughts.
I recon that some things are very difficult to forgive and even harder to forget, if at all possible. It takes time and a lot of work.
That is when I forgive, when I see a change in behavior and genuine remorse for the wrongs they did. It isn't always wise to forgive a person of their wrong because if we keep forgiving and they never change then they never learn that there are consequences to their words and action. That sort of forgiveness is a form of cruelty.
 
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