![]() We often think of forgiveness as a kind, magnanimous act-an act of mercy or compassion extended to someone who wronged us. ![]() Learn more about forgiveness research in this summary of key studies and recent white paper, and consider: Is anything unforgiveable? While early research focused on forgiveness of others by individuals, new areas of research are starting to examine the benefits of group forgiveness and self-forgiveness.įor More: Read forgiveness expert Fred Luskin’s essay, “ What Is Forgiveness?,” and Jack Kornfield’s thoughts on what forgiveness means. In that way, it empowers you to recognize the pain you suffered without letting that pain define you, enabling you to heal and move on with your life. While there is some debate over whether true forgiveness requires positive feelings toward the offender, experts agree that it at least involves letting go of deeply held negative feelings. Instead, forgiveness brings the forgiver peace of mind and frees him or her from corrosive anger. Though forgiveness can help repair a damaged relationship, it doesn’t obligate you to reconcile with the person who harmed you, or release them from legal accountability. Forgiveness does not mean forgetting, nor does it mean condoning or excusing offenses. Experts who study or teach forgiveness make clear that when you forgive, you do not gloss over or deny the seriousness of an offense against you. Just as important as defining what forgiveness is, though, is understanding what forgiveness is not. Psychologists generally define forgiveness as a conscious, deliberate decision to release feelings of resentment or vengeance toward a person or group who has harmed you, regardless of whether they actually deserve your forgiveness.
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