“And you have to forgive somebody not because they deserve forgiveness
within your other model, in a righteous sense.
Maharajji
said to me “Ram Dass, I told you to Love everyone and tell the truth.”
And I looked at those people who I had built up all this righteous
indignation and hatred towards, sitting across the courtyard at the
temple. And I went over there and I was in this ecstatic state from
being with Maharajji and also my ego was in incredible pain, and I took
apples and I cut them into little pieces and I know that you can’t feed
somebody with anger, or it’s like giving them poison.
And I went up to
each person who I had built up resentment to and justifiable, righteous
resentment. I mean I am very creative in justifying
my reactions, so I
had a good reason to be angry with that person.
I stood there, and
he didn’t say work it out, which is what we in the West psychologically
like to work out our anger so that everyone saves face.
He said “Give it
up.” And I looked at the person, and I had to just let it go.
And it
was so painful! And when I had let it go and I could look at that
person
with Love again, I stuck the apple in their mouth.
And it took me over
an hour and a half to do that for these people.
Before I could finally
really let go enough to do it.
Because I couldn’t afford it. I couldn’t
afford not to forgive.
Once you are in the One, nothing builds up so
there is no forgiveness.
No forgiveness is required, because you don’t
forgive a tree and you don’t forgive a river. You know? It’s like
lightning strikes your house and you say “I forgive you.” I mean, who
are you forgiving?”
-Ram Dass Forgiveness and the Awakened Soul
