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Old 08-10-2016, 06:55 PM
7luminaries 7luminaries is offline
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Dan...if you're living in an abstract bubble, then that's one thing. Otherwise, it's not valid or realistic to discount others entirely in your equation.
The concepts may aid your personal understanding, but there is an equally valid reality that entails our material existence, which is finite but which is equally sacred and of God or Source.
This reality involves tangible relationships with others, and there are tangible outcomes to our intent, our thoughts, our words, and our deeds.

In this aspect of our sacred reality -- the material, incarnated reality in which we live and breathe and have our being day-to-day -- it is not enough necessarily to forgive or to be forgiven. True reconciliation involves many other levels. There is remorse and sincerity, there is contrition, and there is resolve and a commitment to avoid the hurtful or selfish behaviour in future, and, as needed, there is restitution. If you broke it and it is replaceable, you do so or pay for it, to use a simple example.

All of these aspects of the repercussions of interbeing are what Knight has referred to as Karma, meaning the law of cause and effect, which extends to all levels and is not simply bound to physics and material objects and gravity. The importance of this law is not bound by our limited human understanding of it...we certainly didn't invent karma, it's just been poorly understood and misused to oppress.

The truth of karma lies in what you learn about the inherent equity of all beings and of the difference between right-aligned and misaligned behaviour toward others. Right-aligned behaviour seeks the highest good of others equally to your own good. Misaligned behaviour seeks your own good at others' expense. Right-aligned behaviour is just because it is authentically loving (seeks the highest good of all); the lesson of karma is to reveal justice and parity as core aspects of Divine Love.

Forgiveness in the Jewish sense, which is what Jesus knew and understood, is only in part between you and God or Source. There, forgiveness is already granted and for your own soul and learning, it is only your awareness of your misalignment with Spirit that is needed.

The large part of forgiveness has to do with human interbeing and human relationships. When you wrong another, you love them and honour them and respect them with your apology, your contrition, your resolve to do no harm going forward, and as needed, your restitution. And you are directed to seek forgiveness personally not just once, but several times, in order to give the injured party a thorough chance to participate in reconciliation and healing for the situation that you have caused or inflicted upon them.

This is a mark of spiritual wisdom and humility, and of equity, justice, and love.

Peace & blessings
7L
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Bound by conventions, people tend to reach for what is easy.

Here we must be unafraid of what is difficult.

For all living beings in nature must unfold in their particular way

and become themselves despite all opposition.

-- Rainer Maria Rilke
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