I recently read an old Buddhist story about forgiveness.
A teacher and his student are discussing the time someone threw a stone at the student.
“I was so mad at that person” he said.
“Why weren’t you mad at the stone? That’s what hit you!” remarked the teacher.
“The stone had no intention, of course” the student answered, rapidly.
“By that token, you shouldn’t be mad at the person, but at their pain,” counselled the teacher. “The person was as blameless as the stone, being thrown helplessly by their pain.”
While this old fable isn’t always useful, it does raise the possibility of complete forgiveness in many circumstances.
- The person who “insulted” you on social media
- The client who didn’t pay you
- The coach/mentor/supplier who didn’t deliver
- The guy who didn’t show up on a booked call
- The business partner who cheated on you
Don’t blame them.
Blame their pain, which you likely know nothing about.
Then forgiveness comes easy and you can get on with something useful, right?
Jonny
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