The Yoga of Forgiveness

Today I read an online story about an aging racist who now regrets the violence he committed against black people during the civil rights era. He has been offering personal apologies to those he has wronged, including one who is now a Congressman that he had punched in the face, a neighbor he had threatened for objecting to an effigy hung in his yard, and many others.

As this man asks for forgiveness and blessing, and receives it, he says he feels as if a great burden has been lifted from his body. He was sure that if he died without making things right with those he had hurt he would spend eternity in Hell. Now, he feels more at peace and doesn't even know why he originally felt such anger and hatred towards black people.

In the tradition of Ayurveda, of which Yoga is considered part, anger and hatred would be considered "tamasic". Tamas is a quality of heaviness, darkness. In some ways, tamas is useful; it provides a grounding quality to our lives, it allows for manifestation of ideas. But in excess tamas creates inertia, lethargy, negativity.

To create balance in our minds we need the quality of sattva, or light. By associating with positive people, watching uplifting or inspirational programs, listening to beautiful music, even thinking positive thoughts we create a lightness of being that counteracts the darkness that sometimes settles in. Even just taking a walk in the garden on a sunny day raises the spirit after a long period of cloudy weather.

And finding the courage to ask for forgiveness from someone we have wronged unburdens not only our soul but that of the one who grants it.....