(Untitled)

[personaminor]

In the midst of pain, we sat and learned that forgiveness is the opposite of ignorance. The hands that coyly guide us to bed, that feed our bodies and our inner children, the loving caresses comforting along the wait toward dawn. As alone as we act, we can become only so separate

Comments

[apostate_96]

In the midst of pain, we sat and learned that forgiveness is the opposite of ignorance.

I'm not sure if it's the opposite of ignorance, or of fear. Given the faith those people're demonstrating, I'm inclined to think it's the opposite of fear. I don't think faith gets rid of fear, but it helps make it easier to bear and helps keep it from turning into a controlling, destructive monster.

As alone as we act, we can become only so separate.

Even theoretical subnuclear physics is recognizing that we're not separate, especially when you consider that the energies of which we're made (and all things, for that matter) are constantly interacting with each other on a constant and intimate basis.

Thank you very much for posting the link to that article. I'll definitely be posting it myself, and making sure to post about this post, too.

Truly, bro....Amen.

[personaminor]

I guess that when I talk about ignorance, I mean something more like the selfish blindness that people have a tendency to work themselves into, and ignore the big picture. So it's more like a failure to recognize more than just one's own pain (not that I'm very good at it either).
That article humbled the hell out of me too. The fact that the Amish were willing to recognize that the shooter was also a victim gives me a decent amount of hope for people in general. I only wish that an article like this was on the front page as opposed to tucked into a corner in the back of a small newspaper (which is where I'm assuming it got published). Sigh.
At least there's a sigh of relief while realizing that no one is completely unforgivable.
Thanks for the plug on your lj.

[apostate_96]

What you said about ignorance = "selfish blindness" makes a lot more sense. And the more we can recognize our similarities, the better we tend to do.

At least there's a sigh of relief while realizing that no one is completely unforgivable.

For some reason, that reminds me of Clancey talking about how he used to call for "Justice!" when he was young and full of fire.....and has since modified it to "Mercy! Forgiveness! Let bygones be bygones!" Especially if you take the idea of reincarnation and karma seriously, everyone's got lots of chances to earn forgiveness/redemption/enlightenment. And I don't think it's ever too late to honestly and humbly seek for It.

Thanks for the plug on your lj.

Not a problem. I've got no problem giving credit where 'n' when it's due!

Forgiveness

[anonymous]

Your comment thread reminded me of a line from a poem I read as a very young girl, but it runs through my head every so often.

It goes, "Let us be generous, compassionate, and sometime, perhaps, perhaps, good."

I think if we recognize the difficulty of being truly good, with no strings attached or ulterior purposes, we would be a lot more willing to extend forgiveness and mercy. It's so easy to lie to ourselves, that certainly, "it's not easy being good."

Re: Forgiveness

[personaminor]

Thank you.

[adjust_56]

Thank-you, you have managed to verbalize eloquently some of the facets of humanity, that of the base nature and that of the highest possibility of being it's true nature. It takes tremendous love in ones heart to express forgiveness so soon after a wounding trauma such as this.

[personaminor]

I only hope that I can keep this story with me. This is one I definitely need to learn from. Personally, I can't imagine reacting with that kind of forgiveness, but I will try and keep this lesson with me, that the worst of my suffering stems from my attitudes and opinions towards others.

keep this lesson

[adjust_56]

Remeber it with your breath....when things come up take a breath and it will remind you that all is well even though your attitued and opinions say otherwise.....focus on your breath and in that moment all indeed is well. From that centered space you can then move on from Love.