Live Vedanta: Parenting Culture

Virtues: Forgiveness

Episode Summary

Welcome to Parenting Culture, a space to learn and reflect on 20 virtues that are prerequisites to be an extraordinary caregiver. This week, we continue onto Virtue #4 - Kshanti (Forgiveness). Forgiveness is for giving. When we renounce mistakes/differences for the sake of maturity/unity there is peace. The greatest source of joy and sorrow in our lives is beings; accepting this truth helps us be less dependent on beings and more independent as the Self.

Episode Notes

During Week 7, we pursued Virtue #4: Kshanti (Forgiveness) to understand that as children of the Divine, it is natural for us to make mistakes and when we do, forgiveness is the path to growth.

Recap:

• To change behaviour, we should choose education, not shaming. A guru helps us learn how to practice values.
• If we didn’t make mistakes, we will all be Achutha (one who never makes mistakes) like Shri Krishna. We are not there yet, so practice forgiveness as Bhagavan is looking for reasons to forgive us.
• The closer we are to someone, the more chance there is for conflict. Hence we need more compassion, forgiveness.

How to practice Kshanti (Forgiveness)?

• In the Past: When we forgive, it is a form of nurturing peace so that we can grow.
• In the Present: When others make mistakes, focus on their intentions, not implementation. Be less impacted by the implementation if the relationship is important to us.
• In the Future: When we forgive, we lead by example. Others will do the same, making life easier for all.