Thoughts and Practices For Enlightened Living 4

Asking For Forgiveness Part 4. Step 7 contd:

Last week we mentioned Quantum Physics which is the study of physical phenomena at microscopic scales. According to this branch of physics, we are all connected with each other ….. humans, plants, animals. Every cell, molecule, every atom and sub atomic particle is connected every other cell, atom and subatomic particle in the Universe.

So our hurtful actions to one person will, by extension, cause pain to all sentient beings in the universe. Therefore, asking for forgiveness from the person we know we have hurt is not enough. True forgiveness will be ours only after we have healed the pain we have caused in the world. How do you ask for forgiveness from all of humanity, all sentient beings, and all that lives and breathes? Do we apologise to everyone we meet?. or call up people we know, and then, a propos of nothing say … ‘by the way, I am sorry I hurt you?

….. Not quite. Such actions, however well intentioned, will leave the other party quite bewildered. They may even find them quite amusing and funny! No, this is definitely not going to take us far in our quest for total forgiveness!

One way of addressing this issue is to realize that the sorrow we have caused even one person has contributed to the collective sorrow in the world. If we want to be truly forgiven, we must atone for our actions’. We can do this by making a vow not to repeat this mistake AND make every effort to minimize the world sorrow to which we have contributed. We do this by doing as much good as we can, as often as we can, by doing acts of charity, seva, etc.

So give and give freely and give from the heart. Give with the knowledge that you are trying to redress a wrong to which you have consciously or unconsciously contributed to, in this life time or previous ones. This gives a new meaning to the reason why every religion and culture lays so much emphasis on giving …..

So in a nut shell, here are the steps:

1. Ehsaas …. The Realisation that you have wronged, and that you are responsible for hurting another.

2. Pashchataap. Regret your action and the pain you have caused the other……

3. Face the other party, express your regret and say you are Sorry! …..

4. Ask for Forgiveness!….

5. Resolve not to repeat the action again

6. Prayashchit, make amends….. 7. Atone for your actions to the Universe!

This concludes the procedure for asking for forgiveness! Followed sincerely, it enhances our chances of being truly forgiven!

Next week: Special cases and situations

Kamal Tolia

Founder Member

Lotus Healing Seva Group