Sharing in a large circle of "I'm sorry" and "Forgiveness All Around"

With the Yes to Success program run by Deborah Poneman well underway, a thousand people are showing up each week to learn ways to view life and practice personal skills on many levels to 'lighten their load and light their way' in life

. The talk Deb Poneman gave tonight highlighted the power of forgiveness, such as a black woman addressing the Truth and Reconciliation Council offered the apartheid security white man who killed her son and father, whose dying words were "Father, forgive them." She wanted to go to the place of their death to gather dust to give them a proper burial.

Then she spoke to the man saying she'd like to have him come visit her twice a month to spend the day so she could show him the kind of love she had still to give to her family, and then she said she offered him forgiveness including a hug to help him know that he was truly forgiven. He was overcome with emotion and fell down as she made his way toward him. She continued to go to him to offer him help. 

When I heard that story, even for the second time since it was shared by Deb in the free intro, it reminded me of the movie Long Night's Journey Into Day about a white activist Amy Biehl, a Stanford graduate, in South Africa. She was tragically killed in late August 1993 by four black men. Her parents travelled there from America and extended forgiveness.

I was very moved when I heard of that story and the Council and recall hearing how a black woman called young black man who had killed her family members, "son." I hope to watch that again soon, but wanted to mention that maybe that's what the world needs now on many levels, a widespread understanding of options to seek healing with traditional prayers such as Ho' Opono pono..."I'm Sorry. Please Forgive Me. Thank You. I Love You."

That can be said silently while thinking of someone you would like to forgive (or don't feel you can...and allow the flow..." As Deb shared also, "Don't let thinking stop the flow of loving" is something Maharishi shared with her back in the day. There are many online and in person programs that have taught these principles, from Jesus (who Ghandi and  Dr. Martin Luther King Jr and others have referenced.)

That said, collective efforts to help people in each community, one group or area at a time would likely help more people understand the nature of imbalances and ways to make meaningful amends or create ongoing responses and ways to bring things back into balance. 

Thanks to all seeking healing and helping others along these lines. There are many matters from the past and present (and even the future) that could be addressed with helpful insights and teams of caring people tending to, like a garden in which each person could be nurtured and helped to feel supported for the greater good and seeking peace as the next seasons of our lives unfold creatively and with great care and accountabilty.