The Way of the Monk: How to Find Purpose, Balance, and Lasting Happiness

by The Way of the Monk Gaur Gopal Das

most of the time they are suffering too. This is empathy. •Separate the episode from the person: Rather than being affected by the emotion of guilt by saying, “I am wrong,” or anger by saying, “You are wrong,” we should separate the “I” or the “You” and deal with the wrong. •Higher purpose: Can we forgive based on a higher principle? For example, in my story, the husband forgave the wife because he loved her, and they had a duty to their community and son. If chosen, this approach takes support and time and is not something that happens overnight. •Justice: On a personal level, we can forgive the person who may have wronged us, but on a societal level, there should be strict justice to create an orderly society. No one should be able to break the law and get away with it in the name of forgiveness. Note: To help you reflect on forgiving someone in your own life, please complete the exercise in Appendix 1 (Forgiveness Worksheet).