Really Deep Thoughts

Forgiveness Gatha February 6, 2011

Composed of pieces of and inspired by the works of Sharon Salzberg, Thich Nhat Hanh, and the teachers and facilitators of Against the Stream Buddhist Meditation Society.

Asking for Forgiveness
If I have hurt or harmed anyone, knowingly or unknowingly, I ask for that person’s forgiveness.

Breathing in, I see an image of someone I have harmed.
Breathing out, I invite that person into my heart.
In… person I have harmed.
Out… into my heart.

Breathing in, I am sorry if I have hurt you.
Breathing out, please forgive me.
In… I am sorry.
Out… please forgive me.

Breathing in, I see now that I was hurt and confused, spilling my pain out onto you.
Breathing out, please forgive me.
In… hurt and confused.
Out… please forgive me.

Breathing in, I send you who I have harmed loving-kindness.
Breathing out, I release you from my heart.
In… loving-kindness.
Out… released from my heart.

Offering forgiveness to others
If anyone has hurt or harmed me, knowingly or unknowingly, I forgive that person.

Breathing in, I see an image of someone who has harmed me.
Breathing out, I invite that person into my heart.
In… person who has harmed me.
Out… into my heart.

Breathing in, I know that you have hurt me.
Breathing out, I forgive you.
In… you have hurt me.
Out… I forgive you.

Breathing in, I see now that you were hurt and confused, spilling your pain out onto me.
Breathing out, I forgive you.
In… hurt and confused.
Out… I forgive you.

Breathing in, I send you who have harmed me loving-kindness.
Breathing out, I release you from my heart.
In… loving-kindness.
Out… released from my heart.

Offering forgiveness to oneself
For all the ways that I have hurt or harmed myself, knowingly or unknowingly, I offer forgiveness.

Breathing in, I see an image of myself as a young child, still innocent.
Breathing out, I invite myself as a young, innocent child into my heart.
In… myself as an innocent child.
Out… into my heart.

Breathing in, I know that you have hurt me.
Breathing out, I forgive you.
In… you have hurt me.
Out… I forgive you.

Breathing in, I see now that you were hurt and confused, spilling your pain out onto me.
Breathing out, I forgive you.
In… hurt and confused.
Out… I forgive you.

Breathing in, I send my child self loving-kindness.
Breathing out, I release my child self from my heart.
In… loving-kindness.
Out… released from my heart.