Forgiveness, and the Freedom of Letting Go

BUDDHA said: All that we are is the result of what we have thought: all that we are is  founded on our thoughts and formed of our thoughts.

“If a man speaks or acts with an evil thought, pain pursues him, as the wheel of the wagon follows the hoof of the ox that draws it.
 
“All that we are is the result of what we have thought: all that we are is founded on our thoughts and formed of our thoughts. If a man speaks or acts with a pure thought happiness pursue him like his own shadow that never leaves him.

“He reviled me, he beat me and conquered  and then plundered me,” who express such thoughts tie their mind with the intention of retaliation. In them hatred will not cease.

 “He reviled me, he beat me and conquered and then plundered me,” who do not express such thoughts, in them hatred will cease.

 “In this world never is enmity appeased by hatred; enmity is ever appeased by Love. This is the Law Eternal.”

[The Dhammapada, Ch. 1 The Twin Verses]

“Forgiveness is the mental, emotional and/or spiritual process of ceasing to feel resentment, indignation or anger against another person for a perceived offense, difference or mistake, or ceasing to demand punishment or restitution.”

 

Forgiveness

A psychologist walked around a room while teaching stress management to an audience. As she raised a glass of water, everyone expected they’d be asked the “half empty or half full” question. Instead, with a smile on her face, she inquired: “How heavy is this glass of water?”

Answers called out ranged from 8 oz. to 20 oz.

She replied, “The absolute weight doesn’t matter. It depends on how long I hold it. If I hold it for a minute, it’s not a problem. If I hold it for an hour, I’ll have an ache in my arm. If I hold it for a day, my arm will feel numb and paralyzed. In each case, the weight of the glass doesn’t change, but the longer I hold it, the heavier it becomes.”

She continued, “The stresses and worries in life are like that glass of water. Think about them for a while and nothing happens. Think about them a bit longer and they begin to hurt. And if you think about them all day long, you will feel paralyzed – incapable of doing anything.”

“Remember to put the glass down.”

♥

(Abraham Menashe, Dipping Into Light)

Trust

First Flight ~ Amazing! A beautiful documentary which follows mama and two baby Allen’s hummingbirds from birth to fledgling the nest. Shot in Los Angeles, California. High Definition. Original Music by Sheri Watson from her album “Shuniya.”

Please Note:

“Hummingbirds are federally protected wildlife. Do not attempt to rescue or interfere with a hummingbird without first contacting your local Hummingbird Rescue for information. All filming of this video was done only after being in contact with licensed Hummingbird Rescue experts for guidance. It has, still, been brought to my attention through some comments that I should not have filmed the birds that close. Please take what I have been advised and do not film birds close up unless you have a very long lens or a web cam. I apologize to the bird lovers I have upset by this ignorance on my part. I can be contacted at sheri@sheriwatson.com.

Annas Hummingbirds

ADDITIONAL NOTE: I inadvertently passed on incorrect information in this video. The “squirt” from the beak of the babies is actually their tongue. Also, the woman I spoke to from the hummingbird rescue referred to the baby’s “hair” and I say that several times in the video. I have been otherwise informed that the “hair” should be called “feathers.” I also failed to mention that the nests are often secured using spider webs. And, it turns out the first bird to leave the nest is the male, not the female. I have a newly edited and more informative version of this same video, available for schools or educational purpose.

http://www.sheriwatson.com

Sheri Watson