When Forgiveness Becomes a Ritual
I was born in a Jain household where my mother, especially, is a devout follower of Jainism. She always wanted us (my sister and I) to be as devoted as her - learn prayers, go to the temple, follow the Jain rituals of abstaining from root vegetables, doing various rituals and so on.
Well, my sister follows the religion, and for me, I began to see the conflict in people following the religion and their actual action in real life. It felt that they aren’t walking the talk. Although, I wouldn’t say my mother is like that, but she blindly follows her beliefs without questioning it or gaining a deep understanding of the practice. That drifted me away from the practice. But there is one practice that still resonates with me - known as the day of forgiveness or annual day known as ‘Samvatsari’ which is the last day of Paryushan festival. On this day, people greet each other, “Micchami Dukkadam” which literally means, "May all my improper actions be inconsequential" or "I ask pardon of all living beings, may all of them pardon me, may I have friendship with all beings and enmity with none". Jains seek forgiveness from one another for knowingly or unknowingly hurting people's sentiments through words, actions or deeds. Many fast for the whole day, abstain from any kind of sensory pleasure, and live in the energy of peace and harmony. I feel this a very powerful ritual of seeking forgiveness because we live our lives in an auto mode, operating from our conditioning, old beliefs, habits and thought processes. A conscious ritual like this brings awareness to our own actions and thoughts.
Forgiveness is a big step for our healing to begin - there is a part of you that is letting go and surrendering to a higher force. So reflect, take action, forgive. ?
Here are few articles to help you on the path to forgiveness
Ho’oponopono ~ The Hawaiian Art of Healing
The Four Stages of Forgiveness
Free Yourself from Mental Slavery: 8 Ways to Let Go
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