forgiveness is an essential ingredient in love
“Forgiveness is important in every relationship, but it is essential in love. When two people love each other deeply, if one makes a mistake, the other doesn’t lose respect or say, ‘I’m going to do that too; then we’ll be even.’ That is the time to stand by the person you love and offer support: not conniving at the mistake, but helping that person to overcome it and grow. This is a great art. It cannot be done in judgment or condescension, which means we have to get the ego very much out of the way. Most of us are not able to draw on a deeper will and a higher wisdom to do this; therefore our relations go wrong and we run away.” — Eknath Easwaran, The Bhagavad Gita for Daily Living
In love, forgiveness plays a vital role. It means letting go of the hurtful things that happened and choosing to move forward with a heart full of understanding and acceptance. When two people come together in a relationship, they are bound to make mistakes and unintentionally hurt each other. It's natural because we're all imperfect. To err is human, right? But forgiveness allows us to heal and rebuild the bond that love creates.
When we forgive our partners, we acknowledge their imperfections and recognize that they, like us, are capable of making errors. We choose to see beyond their mistakes and remember the reasons why we fell in love with them in the first place.
Forgiveness strengthens the foundation of love by dissolving our toxic ego and fostering compassion and empathy. It creates an environment where growth and meaningful change are possible.
Moreover, forgiveness liberates us from the burden of holding grudges and resentments. It frees us from the past, enabling us to embrace the present and future with open hearts. When we forgive, we release ourselves from the negative emotions that can poison our relationships. We open the door for reconciliation and create space for love to thrive.
The past is past. And the present is an opportunity is to start from scratch. To change our paradigms and strive to become better versions of ourselves. This is where a consistent practice of meditation and mindfulness and a relentless pursuit of self-development can be of great assistance. As Eknath Easwaran points out, “By building our lives on meditation, we can learn to stand firm in situations where we used to crumble, stand loving and respectful when we used to get resentful, hostile, or vindictive.”
Keep in mind, forgiveness does not mean forgetting or condoning hurtful actions. It is not a sign of weakness but rather a display of strength and maturity. Forgiveness is a conscious choice to rise above the pain and prioritize the connection we share with our loved ones. It requires communication, empathy, and a willingness to work through difficulties together.
Therefore, we can say that forgiveness is an essential ingredient in love. It allows us to move forward, grow together, and create a harmonious and fulfilling relationship. By embracing forgiveness, we open ourselves to the transformative power of love and build a stronger and more resilient connection with our partners.
