Forgiveness

What Is Forgiveness?

Forgiveness is the act of releasing ourselves from the bondage of an ongoing negative connection. Forgiveness resurrects our peace of mind from the perils of victimhood and releases our negative judgments.

Unity articles and resources on forgiveness:

  • Article by Rev. Jim Rosemergy, “I Willingly Forgive Others”
  • Principles of Forgiveness by Noelle Stern
  • "Who or What Can I Forgive" by Rev. Carla McClellan
  • "Giving and Forgiving" by Rev. Eric Butterworth
  • "The Fifteen Minute Forgiveness Treatment" by Rev. Hypatia Hasbrouck
  • "Early spiritual practice" by Unity cofounder Charles Fillmore
     

    Quotes about forgiveness:

  • Forgiveness is … "letting go of something that can only poison us within.” Unity preacher Eric Butterworth, author of “Discover the Power Within”
  • A Course in Miracles: “…the key to happiness”
  • E. Emilie Cady, from her Unity classic book, Lessons in Truth:
    “We must forgive as we would be forgiven. To forgive does not simply mean to arrive at a place of indifference to those who do personal injury to us; it means far more than this. To forgive is to give for – to give some actual definite good in return for evil given. One may say, “I have no one to forgive; I have not a personal enemy in the world.” And yet, if under any circumstances, any kind of a “served-him-right” thought springs up within you over anything that any of God’s children may do or suffer, you have not yet learned how to forgive.”
  • Rosemary Fillmore Rhea (an ordained Unity minister, and granddaughter of Charles and Myrtle Fillmore):
    “As we awaken to & become conscious of our divine nature, we can FORGIVE that child in us who acted from a consciousness of fear & ignorance.” 
  • “Forgiveness is just another name for freedom.” - Byron Katie
  • Nelson Mandela (after being in prison for 27 years): “As I walked out the door toward my freedom, I knew if I did not leave all the anger, hatred and bitterness behind, I would still be in prison.”
  • “The weak cannot forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong.” - Mahatma Ghandi
  • “We must develop and maintain the capacity to forgive. He who is devoid of the power to forgive is devoid of the power to love. There is some good in the worst of us and some evil in the best of us. When we discover this, we are less prone to hate our enemies.” - Martin Luther King, Jr.
  • A Course in Miracles: “Forgiveness is a shift in perception, that removes a block in me, to my awareness of love’s presence.”
  • “Forgiveness does not change the past, but it does enlarge the future.” - Paul Boese
  • “Forgive others. Do it not only for their sake, but for your own. If you don’t, you will feel within you nauseating resentment, destroying you from within.” - Maxwell Maltz
  • “It's not an easy journey, to get to a place where you forgive people. But it is such a powerful place, because it frees you.” - Tyler Perry
  • “Forgive others, not because they deserve forgiveness, but because you deserve peace.” - Jonathan Lockwood Hule
  • “Do more than belong: participate. Do more than care: help. Do more than believe: practice. Do more than be fair: be kind. Do more than forgive: forget. Do more than dream: work.” - William Arthur Ward

Forgiveness Affirmations:

  • I forgive myself for my mistakes, and I forgive others for their mistakes, knowing none of us is perfect.
  • There is nothing but love and peace between us. – Rev. Lillian Matthews
  • Affirmations from Rev. Rosemary Fillmore Rhea:
    - The forgiving love of Jesus Christ flows through my mind and heart, and I am free.
    - I am aware of the presence of love within me, healing and restoring my soul.
    - I let go of any feelings of anger, resentment, or hurt.
    - I am a spiritual being on a spiritual journey, and no person or experience can keep my good from me. I release you to God, and I bless you on your way.
    - I forgive you as I am forgiven. When we meet again, it will be in the spirit of love. Thank You God, that this has come to pass.