Forgiveness…

C.G. Jung brings an interesting question to the surface about forgiveness. My take: The fact we tend to overlook aspects of this blessed gift (forgiveness) by way of looking outward toward others where judgment takes place first-“then maybe”- forgiveness; this should indicate we have a few things worth looking into. This all conveniently takes place by leaning outside the subjective experiences for the most part. This seems to me to be the easier softer way for us humans to deal with our own inner turmoil and demons. Look outward; point, and respond to others and their behaviour. This gives us the illusion it’s not us, but them. The very twist in this subjective-objective trickery turns on us and bits us in the ass because we never allow the truth about ourselves to enter into the equation; let alone forgive ourselves, or anyone else for that matter. If we can’t forgive ourselves, how can we forgive anyone else? The quote comes from Jung (Memories, Dreams, Reflections) and is worth making sure what you’re reading “is” what Jung has written…We can sometimes read words and not see the author’s intent; our imagination can play tricks on us, and that sometimes is the problem with excerpts, and especially with this particular subject matter…

“The acceptance of oneself is the essence of the whole moral problem and the epitome of a whole outlook on life. That I feed the hungry, that I forgive an insult, that I love my enemy in the name of Christ — all these are undoubtedly great virtues. What I do unto the least of my brethren, that I do unto Christ. But what if I should discover that the least among them all, the poorest of all the beggars, the most impudent of all the offenders, the very enemy himself — that these are within me, and that I myself stand in need of the alms of my own kindness — that I myself am the enemy who must be loved — what then? As a rule, the Christian’s attitude is then reversed; there is no longer any question of love or long-suffering; we say to the brother within us “Raca,” and condemn and rage against ourselves. We hide it from the world; we refuse to admit ever having met this least among the lowly in ourselves.”
― C.G. Jung, Memories, Dreams, Reflections

James 1:22-26
“But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror; for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was. But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man will be blessed in what he does. If anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this man’s religion is worthless.”