Forgive Again and Again

About This Sharon Salzberg Quotation [Commentary Part 2]

In her narrative, Sharon Salzberg carefully dissociates forgiveness from the act of condoning or excusing wrongdoing. This distinction is crucial as it reframes forgiveness as an act of personal empowerment rather than a concession to the perpetrator. Forgiveness, in Salzberg’s eyes, is the intentional release of bitterness and anger, a vital step towards healing and self-compassion. By advocating for this self-directed process, she illuminates the path to personal freedom and wellbeing, advocating for a mindful and loving-kindness approach. This involves a compassionate acceptance of our human flaws and mistakes, both in ourselves and in others, encouraging a nurturing attitude towards the inevitable imperfections of the human experience.

Sharon Salzberg’s teachings on forgiveness extend beyond personal healing to touch on the interconnectivity of our experiences. She elucidates how our individual acts of forgiveness are entwined with broader patterns of interdependence, where our inner peace and emotional liberation are inextricably linked to the collective well-being. By practicing forgiveness, we not only heal ourselves but also contribute to a larger fabric of mutual understanding and kindness. This process, supported by mindfulness and meditation, helps cultivate a compassionate heart, enabling us to navigate life’s challenges with grace and resilience. Salzberg’s insights into forgiveness thus offer a powerful tool for personal transformation and collective harmony.

Sharon Salzberg’s views about Forgiveness

Sharon Salzberg views forgiveness as a complex and ongoing process rather than a singular action. She emphasizes that forgiveness is not synonymous with forgetting or negating past hurts but involves a deeper understanding and releasing of the emotional grip these events have on us. Sharon sees forgiveness as an opportunity for growth and clarity, encouraging a compassionate relationship with oneself and others. By practicing forgiveness, we unlock a profound openness of heart, allowing us to acknowledge both the positive and negative aspects of our experiences without being imprisoned by them. This reflects her broader teaching on the importance of compassion and mindfulness, underscoring that forgiveness also includes seeing one’s own mistakes with clarity and tenderness, which can often be the most challenging yet transformative part of the practice.

“What happens in our hearts is our field of freedom. As long as we carry old wounds and anger in our hearts, we continue to suffer. Forgiveness allows us to move on.”
― Sharon Salzberg, Real Love: The Art of Mindful Connection

“We’re in charge of our own forgiveness, and the process takes time, patience, and intention.”
― Sharon Salzberg, Real Love: The Art of Mindful Connection

“To forgive, we may need to open our minds to a fuller exploration of the context in which the events occurred, and feel compassion for the circumstances and everyone involved, starting with ourselves.”
― Sharon Salzberg, Real Love: The Art of Mindful Connection

“In some ways to be able to forgive, to let go, is a type of dying. It is the ability to say, ‘ I am not that person anymore, and you are not that person anymore.’ Forgiveness allows us to recapture some part of ourselves that we left behind in bondage to a past event. Some part of our identity may also need to die in that letting go, so that we can reclaim the energy bound up in the past,”
― Sharon Salzberg, Lovingkindness: The Revolutionary Art of Happiness