The annex, Toronto
Touching on
forgiveness
I was asked to speak on the topic, “The Art of Forgiveness”
on one of those zoom calls for Sunday so while on my walk today to deliver a
small packet of what we call mahaprasadam,
some blessed sweets, to Subuddhi on her 85th birthday, I thought about the subject
of forgiveness. In a way I was preparing
myself for some thoughts I could convey on the broadcast.
What did come to mind was a song that came on the radio, a
tear-jerker, from when I was 8—a song by Brenda Lee, “I’m sorry!”—a love song,
of course. There’s one line “Please accept
my apology,” which is so heartfully expressed from her voice. Now if I could only say it with feeling to
those I’ve offended in the past. We all
owe apologies to someone…
What also came to mind while walking through those
residential streets were the words uttered by warrior, Arjuna, to Krishna,
asking for forgiveness due to being overly-familiar. Verse 11.41–42:
“Thinking of You as my friend, I have rashly addressed You
‘O Krishna’, ‘O Yadhava’, ‘O my friend’, not knowing Your glories. Please forgive whatever I may have done in
madness or in love. I have dishonored
You many times, gesturing as we relaxed, lay on the same bed, or sat or ate together,
sometimes alone and sometimes in front of many friends. O infallible one, please excuse me for all
those offenses.”
In this instance Krishna had just revealed His cosmic form
and it came to light that Arjuna’s actions were somewhat informal, too casual
or disrespectful.
May the Source be with you!
5 km
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