Forgive Everything

When I was discussing the idea that Forgiveness could be a daily practice with one of my teachers, he said that he actually engaged with an ‘off the cushion’ daily forgiveness practice. He suggests that we start forgiving ourselves for every ‘little’ thing we do, even before we try to tackle the more difficult feelings that seem to be where we are stuck.

He said not to wait for something that you consider “wrong” to engage with forgiveness. Try a few days where you forgive yourself for every little thing you do, whether it seems “wrong” or unskillful, or not.

For example (from my own experience):

I forgive myself for leaving the refrigerator door open for slightly too long.

I forgive myself for burning the toast.

I forgive myself for spacing out in that last moment.

I forgive myself for thinking crazy thoughts.

I forgive myself for skipping meditation practice this morning.

Basically, you are forgiving yourself for everything you do, as a way to bring the idea and the felt sense of Forgiveness into your life in a real way. Once we can forgive ourselves for the smallest of ‘transgressions’, then the larger forgiveness practice becomes easier and more natural.

If we can forgive everything we do, then we have let go of needing things to happen in a certain way, and we can rest in the equanimity that arises with that letting go and acceptance of things just as they are.

If you want to explore Forgiveness as a more formal and in-depth practice, then consider the book Forgiveness Is a Choice by Robert D. Enright, PhD.

And the true Last Word on forgiveness comes from my teacher, Doug Kraft:

Always approach Forgiveness with an Open Heart… And with Good Boundaries.

When you respond like this, recognize the tension you feel around the suffering in your life, engage with the feeling of forgiveness, and relax the mind and body, letting the power of forgiveness soften your reactions. Repeat as necessary.