Forgiveness: A Bold Choice for a Peaceful Heart

by Robin Casarjian

Forgiveness holds a promise . . . of reconciliation and serenity, of empowerment and love.

The world’s great spiritual traditions all teach forgiveness as the key to inner peace. But many people find this an impossible ideal—perhaps even a way of flossing over pain, anger, and wrongdoing.

Now, in this wise and heartfelt book, psychotherapist Robin Casarjian confronts the dilemmas of forgiveness and offers a new approach to healing our old wounds and self-judgements. Drawing on the philosophy of A Course in Miracles, plus years of experience with her own clients, she shows us why letting go of the past is not only possible but necessary, if we are to achieve lasting health and harmony.

Within these pages are simple but powerful exercises, meditations, and visualizations that acknowledge our hurt even as they lead us beyond it. Here, too, are moving true accounts of forgiveness in action, showing how parents and children, spouses and lovers, workers and bosses—even victims of crime and historic injustice—can all find peace.

“For those of us who have been troubled by fear, doubt, anger, self-hatred, and guilt—in other words, almost everyone who is human—this book is a real and rare treasure.”—Joan Borysenko, Ph.D., author of Minding the Body, Mending the Mind.

Genres: Nonfiction, Self Help, Psychology, Spirituality, Sociology

256 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 1992

Reviews

[Kathykelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most profound books I have ever read. Finished it in January and want to reread it again.

[Carl Williams · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don’t set aside books very often, but I put this one aside. Though it is well written, combines both eastern and western sensibilities and the exercises seem like they would be helpful I’m finding it not all helpful. Perhaps because forgiveness is something I’ve wrestled with over the years. Perhaps because I’ve read a number of books on this subject—Dennis and Matthew Linn’s _Healing of Memories_ comes to mind. Perhaps because I’ve developed my own functioning sensibilities on the subject. Back to the shelf it goes.

The volume was thrust on my by a friend I respect and if I was reading it as part of a group rather than on my own, I might find more that resonates with me.

Who knows? I may pick it up again.

[Terry Freeman · Rating 5 out of 5]

It changed my life

[Regina Candel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Es un libro oara tenerlo en la biblioteca o al lado de la cama y leer un poco todos los días, hacer los ejercicios que propone y volver a empezar. Porque este libro trata de las relaciones humanas y del amor por uno mismo...el conflicto eterno que todos tenemos, nadie se salva. Increíble lectura, clarisimos conceptos. Me encantó.

[Laurel Jones · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decent concepts, some outdated language and writing styles.

I should probably give this a read with a more open mind - some of the examples of terrible SA really put me off this book initially.

[Lesley · Rating 5 out of 5]

this one read me to filfth

[M · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is extraordinarily helpful. I found it particularly insightful in regards to self-forgiveness. The only part that didn't really resonate with me was the forgiving God part. if there is a God I will be hard pressed to forgive him/her while I'm alive. Also I can see how this book would rub some people the wrong way because the author asserts that everyone in the world deserves forgiveness but many people vehemently disagree.

[Arturo · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author offers a perspective on life for people that are sore and need healing and proposes exercises and practice to deal with it. It is sometimes ambiguous because there is no definitive answer for life but covers the topic of forgiveness in an easy to read way and allows the reader to internalize and maybe choose to do something about living a life of anger and damage or instead choose life as a benevolent expresion.

[Veronika · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very well written, nevertheless I couldn’t get myself to finish it. Maybe because I’m already familiar with the subject and I do in fact know how to forgive, I’m just not there yet. Gifted it to my mom afterwards, let’s see if it helps her look deep inside herself and heal.

[Louise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great for learning about how and why to forgive in almost every situation.

[José Armando Leyva Martínez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excelente libro!! Bastante clarificador que indica un camino claro para el proceso del perdón.

[Irene Azuaje · Rating 5 out of 5]

Su lectura es recomendable, pero hay que hacerlo con calma y tomarse su tiempo.

[Victor Buelvas]

Sencillamente inspirador

Fácil de leer, suficientemente amplio pero al mismo tiempo muy concreto, muy practico a la hora de buscar una solución en un tema particular.