We do not attain anything by our own holiness but by ten thousand surrenders to mercy. A lifetime of received forgiveness allows us to become mercy. Mercy becomes our energy, our meaning. Perhaps we are finally enlightened and free when we can both receive mercy and give it away—without payment or punishment.

Forgiveness involves acceptance and putting an end to the circular wars that run through the violation. To let go of the story of what life should have been and refuse to remain trapped in the hoping for a comfortable, settled life. It is to wake up from our naivety and look for what visions we have inside us, for the needs that were not met, and... See more