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Most world religions and wisdom traditions include teachings on the nature of forgiveness. From the notion of divine forgiveness to that of humans practicing forgiveness between one another, there are countless spiritual myths, lessons and teachings that explore the complex nature and process of forgiveness and reconciliation in their various forms.
Outside of the spiritual realm, psychologists, sociologists and doctors are among the scientific disciplines researching this perennial human need. The desire to forgive is widely recognized by the public, but they are often at a loss for ways to accomplish it. A 1988 Gallup poll found that 94% of people asked said it was important to forgive, but 85% said they needed some outside help to be able to do it.
The path to reconciliation can be just as challenging. According to The International Reconciliation Coalition reconciliation begins with individual acts of confession, but that “the greatest wounds in human history, the greatest injustices, have not happened through the acts of some individual perpetrator; rather through the institutions, systems, philosophies, cultures, religions and governments of humankind. Because of this, we, as individuals, are tempted to absolve ourselves of all individual responsibility.”
This episode of Global Spirit explores forgiveness and healing on a personal and societal level, illuminating how spiritual practice and compassion can aid us on this most critical of journeys. Host Phil Cousineau brings together three guests who each approach the topic from a different angle. We see Ed Tick and his wife Kate Dahlstad take a group of traumatized Vietnam War vets back to Vietnam to help them learn the art of forgiveness – specifically, how to forgive themselves for what they did at war almost 40 years ago. Program guest Azim Khamisa is practicing the more typical “forgiveness of the other” as he traces how he learned to forgive the boy who murdered his own son. Now Khamisa works with the boy’s grandfather to foster forgiveness and healing with young audiences all over the world.
He who cannot forgive breaks the bridge over which he himself must pass.
-George Herbert
LEARN MORE:
Global Spirit Series Website
Soldier's Heart veterans return and healing project
Tariq Khamisa Foundation
Azim Khamisa's website
International Reconciliation Coalition
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