I’m a bit of an NPR Junkie, and one of my favorite series I listen to is called This I Believe. This I Believe is a national media project that engages everyday people in writing, sharing, and discussing the core values and beliefs that guide their everyday lives. I’ve been following the series for quite some time now, but last week, I came across a story that really moved me – it’s called Finding Freedom In Forgiveness.
In 1984, Jennifer Thompson -Cannino testified that Ronald Cotton was the man who raped her. Eleven years later, DNA evidence cleared him of the crime.
This story speaks to the healing power of forgiveness.
Although I haven’t heard many Kirtanis or Granthis speak about this topic much, Guru Sahib in fact has much to say about “Khima” (Forgiveness). As I’m starting to research and reflect on this concept through Gurbani, I came across this line that I immediately connected with. From Bhagat Kabeer Ji, page 1372:
jehaa lobh theh kaal hai jehaa khimaa theh aap 155
Where there is greed, there is death. Where there is forgiveness, there is God Himself.
Finding Freedom in Forgiveness is less than four minutes long and worth the listen. I would love to hear what others think of this audio essay and perhaps an experience of your own as you’ve discovered forgiveness on your own journey…
Spirit Of The Sikh 
March 29th, 2009 at 1:46 pm
hey rubin, thanks for sharing this with all of us. it’s a very powerful and profound piece. reminds me that we have choices everyday in everything we do even when we think we don’t. thank you for sharing it. this sounds like a good topic for our next gurbani vichaar, don’t you think?
March 29th, 2009 at 9:53 pm
Thanks, Meeta! I agree this would be a great topic for the next meeting.