The Zen of Forgiveness

As I am writing this, I gnash. I killed him several times in my mind.

I used to respect him so much. His words were gospel truth. His presence was sacred. Only to realize later that he mocked my person and loathed my presence. He is a master of manipulation. He even went further to break my mother emotionally and socially.

After my father's burial he made me stand in the class and sarcastically told me: 'so you're popular now because your father is dead."


So, is it really possible to forgive?  
Perhaps, the volcano within me would always be there. But I can say now that I have forgiven him.

I may have killed him a hundred times in my mind, but the important thing is I did not act on it. In fact, it made me do the opposite: respecting my students, making them secure and proud of themselves. I channeled my anger and converted it into passion to fight any form of exploitation.

Forgiveness does not mean forgetting. Forgiveness does not mean that the scars stopped hurting. They'll always be there, just like the wound Jesus showed to Thomas after the resurrection. Scars are good reminders that we could get hurt again and again. They remind us that even how much careful we are, we could still hurt others as well.

Forgiveness is a process of converting destructive rage into love. The deeper the hurt, the forceful our passion to love should be.

Father,
Thank You for forgiving us,
As we forgive others who have hurt us.
May we be able to channel our hurts into love,
In Jesus’ Name.
Amen.

photo: yogainflorida.com