Ramsden Park, Toronto
Forgive
From the Gita, 11.42,
“Thinking of You as my friend, I have rashly addressed You ‘O Krishna,’ ‘O
Yadava,’ O my friend,’ not knowing Your glories. Please forgive whatever I may
have done in madness or in love. I have dishonoured You many times, jesting 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.”
Before I went off on my evening
trek today, the Gita Chat group on Thursday and I discussed the subject
of forgiveness, based on the verse above. The wise Krishna and attentive Arjuna
struck this most important topic when Arjuna put his apology into the
conversation. He admitted to a familiarity and complacency.
In looking at the definition of
complacency we arrive at something like this, “a feeling of smug or uncritical
satisfaction with oneself or one’s achievements.” This attitude is hurtful on
the path of spirituality and it’s something to be avoided. Arjuna spotted his
weaknesses and opened his heart to the Lord.
We should probe into our
weaknesses and offenses and, once we have identified those whom we have crossed
in some way, attempt to resolve mistakes made in order to clear our path from
clutter.
Krishna was and always is
reasonable. It seemed He did not take offense to Arjuna’s familiarity. Perhaps
we could refer to a couple of what’s called “The Paradoxical Commandments:”
1) The biggest men and women with
the biggest ideas can be shot down by the smallest men and women with the
smallest minds. Think big anyway.
2) What you spend years building
may be destroyed overnight. Build anyway.
May the Source be with you!
2 km
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