Forgiveness

As the Jewish New Year approaches—a time for self-reflection, forgiveness and making amends—I wanted to share with you a poem/prayer by Meredith Cahn that I received in my email today. It touched my heart and I would take it one step further: "Let me not bear guilt on my own account." Let there be no guilt, only atonement/at-one-ment!

Its arrival is most timely, as I have been thinking about some worksheets I have somehow escaped dealing with (nine of them at last count!!!)...so that I may begin again with a clean slate and a light heart.

Whatever your spiritual beliefs or lack thereof...may all be inscribed in the Book of Life for a joyous new year/new you!

For more about these holidays in light of self-inquiry, please see my series of articles "Days of Awe" posted here at the Soul Surgery blog in 2007, beginning with this one.

Love,
Carol

Ribono shel Olam,

I stand before You

and before my community

Pardoning,

Forgiving.

Seeking at least to be open and forgiving

To all those who have hurt or angered me,

Be this hurt of body or soul,

Of honor or property,

Whether the other was forced to hurt me

Or did so willingly;

Whether it was by accident or intent;

Whether I was hurt by word or by deed;

Whether this wound is a new one

Or one that still festers from some earlier world of mine--

I forgive because we are both human.

May no person bear guilt on my account.

—Meredith Cahn