Luminaries Discuss the Purpose of Forgiveness

Learning to forgive can be one of the most difficult elements needed to achieve healing and personal growth. In this collection of excerpts from Soul to Soul, past Super Soul Sunday guests—including Dr. B.J. Miller, a hospice and palliative care specialist; philanthropist Cookie Johnson; international humanitarian Zainab Salbi; and spiritual leader Dr. Michael Bernard Beckwith—all discuss the power and purpose of forgiveness.

"The act of forgiveness is ... the kindest thing we can do to ourselves and others, and it's the way to move on," says Dr. Miller, who compares forgiveness to muscles in the body. He adds, "It clears the path to delight in the time you have while you still have it. It is a loving thing to do. I know that much."

For Zainab, forgiveness was a lesson that she had to learn from deep within. "I once had a dream: You must forgive even when not asked to be forgiven," she says. "It really took me a long time to realize I have to forgive even when not asked for forgiveness to free my own self. It's my path for freedom."

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