Forgiveness is critical for two reasons. It heals us by allowing us to set down old pain, and it helps open us to love. In order to be free, we have to forgive. When I speak of freedom in this context, I don’t mean some sort of ultimate enlightenment, but something far more practical and immediate: freedom from the indictments, recriminations, and judgments that cause us so much suffering. Holding on to our pain is, quite simply, not in our best interests.
