How do we know when we’ve made a mistake? Is a mistake something we did in the past, or a consequence we expect to meet us in the future? What if there is nothing within us – nothing at all – endowed with the ability to prevent our making mistakes in the future? Then the next one is around the corner, get ready for it!
We must be intimate with forgiveness. If we are woven with fallibility, then so too are we woven with humility. Don’t stand apart from this grace. Our mistakes are beacons of light. They are means through which we discover what we don’t yet know- especially if we acknowledge them. If this is the case, can they actually be said to be mistakes at all? Perhaps we should change our language to, “Oops, forgive me, I just made an overt learning opportunity”!
But what if the consequences are dire? Let’s be real, some mistakes result in people losing their lives…We should not underestimate the potential impact of our actions. And yet, the more we are able to live in love, kindness, respect, intimacy, attention, care…the more our mistakes will be reduced to mere moments of turbulence within these strong currents of benevolence.
This is the import of spiritual practice – ensuring that our life is fundamentally aligned. If our life is fundamentally aligned, we can forgive our digressions – and those of others. This takes regular practice. This week many of us are engaged in the practice of Sesshin – a meditative intensive investigating the positive qualities of the heart. May this practice bring benefit to many lives. May more beings find peace within themselves. May our mistakes guide us toward evermore humility, love, and clarity. May you have a nice day.
Soten