SCIENCE OF 
THE IMMORTALS 
(SOTI)

'ON THE NATURE OF FORGIVENESS'

​

What is 'Forgiveness'?  How does it fit into the 'Cosmic scheme of things' - and what of its use?  The definition of 'Forgiveness' is (DETAILS.)  However, how the concept of 'Forgiveness' finds expression in the various spiritual traditions (DETAILS.)

​

'KARMA IS KARMA'

(SOTI, Collected Works)

 

In SOTI we believe that the 'Principle of Forgiveness' is inextricably tied to the 'workings' of 'Karma' and it is felt that one cannot properly understand the concept of 'Forgiveness' unless "the impact of 'Karma' on 'Forgiveness.'" 

​

"Why should I forgive anyone?"

The question can properly be asked, why should anyone / 'the victim' - forgive?  One of the most popular reasons given, is that 'Forgiveness' brings 'closure.'  By 'closure' this term can be looked at in a general sense as being the 'final act' in a process.  This process contains the following 'elements' - a 'Perpetrator' and a 'Victim' - a 'judge' of some sort (ultimately 'Karma,') an 'incident' namely an 'event' which has caused 'trauma,' either 'psychic' / 'mind' (mental,) 'emotional' or 'physical.'  'Forgiveness' therefore in this system, can be regarded as the end of this process - its 'extinction.'  (See The Science Of Abstract Consciousness - 'The 5th Activity.')

​

Given the potential significance of 'closure,' we should also consider the effects of 'Forgiveness' on both the 'Perpetrator' and the 'Victim.'

​

For the 'Perpetrator' there may be a number of benefits (DETAILS,) for example, the 'sense of relief' that if anyone should / could judge their act it would be the 'Victim' and the 'Victim' has sought at any rate, on the face of it, to put the matter to rest, in that the 'Victim' has accepted 'closure' and any 'traumatic act' or 'trauma,' is completed / over.  For the 'Victim' there is the benefit of what is often termed 'letting go' - 'letting go' of 'mental,' 'emotional' and 'physical' 'states of being,' which if unchecked damage an 'Incarnate Sentient Being' (ISB) in their progress along 'the Way of Consciousness' - being the 'evolutionary process' of all Sentient Beings (MORE DETAILS.) 

​

In the 'SOTI Understanding' of the role of 'Forgiveness' in spiritual and ethical systems - the role of the 'Judge' as an 'element' ('Karma') is the most important fact to consider.  'Karma' as 'Law' / 'Judge' is often considered in its role as a means for working out the 'cause and effect' relationships in the activities of 'Incarnate Sentient Beings' (ISB) namely every 'action' has both a 'cause' and 'effect' and these 'causes' and 'effects' relative to other 'cause' and 'effects' are based upon some 'Principle of Justice,' or "what is right or wrong."  In other words, you "reap what you sow." 

​

Therefore, 'Forgiveness' has to be considered in terms of its relationship to 'Karma.'

​

Relationship of Forgiveness to Karma

​

What is this relationship?  In considering the term 'Forgiveness' one can consider it in both a 'positive' or 'negative' 'aspect.' 

​

Forgiveness in It's 'Negative' & 'Positive'Aspects

 

We can define the 'Negative aspect' as; 

​

(i)  a 'Victim' 'forgiving' a 'Perpetrator' which has no effect on the 'traumatic act' and / or 'trauma.'  In other words, there is no point 'Forgiving' anyone, as it makes no difference.  This can be regarded as a 'negative' conception in any spiritual or ethical system where 'Forgiveness' is an 'element.'

​

We can define the 'Positive aspect' as; 

​

(ii) a 'Victim' 'Forgiving' a 'Perpetrator' where there is some clear benefit to the 'Perpetrator,' for example the 'Perpetrator' may belong to a religious or spiritual tradition, whereas the act of 'forgiveness' plays a central role in determining the fate of the 'Victim' in terms of any judgment meted out to the 'Perpetrator' in this 'Life' and any possible 'Afterlife.'  So for instance, a 'Perpetrator' may specifically request that a 'Victim' "forgive" so that a benefit can be obtained.  One could regard such considerations as 'forgiveness' - as a concept and practice, having a 'Positive aspect' (namely for the 'Perpetrator.') 

 

We have already considered above 'Positive aspects' in relation to the 'Victim' who by 'closure' in relation to 'traumatic acts' and 'trauma' gains benefits from any 'Positive' 'emotional state' attained - 'letting go' of the relevant 'situation' or 'event.'

​

The Law / The Judge - "Karma Is Karma" 

 

The central role of 'Karma' can be simply stated - 'Karma Is Karma' - meaning that 'Karma Is All,' in the sense that whether 'forgiveness' is given or not - is it not Karma which ultimately decides all 'Judgments,' 'Punishments' & 'Rewards?'  

​

If such is the role of 'Karma' then what role is there for 'Forgiveness?'  Does 'Karma' take into account the 'Negative' or 'Positive' conceptions of 'Forgiveness?'  Should the 'Perpetrator bother about requesting / requiring 'Forgiveness' in relation to 'traumatic acts' and 'trauma' s/he may have committed? Should the 'Victim' consider, whether 'Forgiveness' is a meaningful act to consider when considering their own position in relation to such traumatic acts and trauma - in a nutshell does the 'act of forgiveness' have any impact on 'Judgment,' 'Punishment' & 'Reward' within the realms of metaphysical and occult traditions and understanding? 

​

These are not necessarily easy matters to consider because their 'workings' may have a tremendous impact on both 'Perpetrator' and 'Victim' both in this 'Life' and any possible 'Afterlife.' 

​

 

The SOTI approach to this issue is summed up by the phrase 'Karma Is Karma' - meaning that whether one takes a 'Negative' or 'Positive' conception / view on the issue on the 'Nature of Forgiveness' becomes largely irrelevant, but not without consequence.

​

It becomes irrelevant in the sense that - 'KARMA SUBSUMES ALL' in relation to this matter and by 'subsumes all' we mean - subsumes all on this issue and thus we can state quite clearly to both the 'Perpetrator' and 'Victim' - "your Karma is your Karma."

​

In this approach, one dispenses with the consideration of the 'Nature of Forgiveness' in relation to both 'Perpetrator' and 'Victim' since 'their Karma is their Karma' - 'Karma is Karma' or 'Karma subsumes all.'  This would appear to be some kind of 'let out' making the concept of Forgiveness a relevance, but this is not so.

​

Whilst in a sense 'absolutely' the consideration of 'Forgiveness' may not appear to of any real significance, in practical terms it may be of huge importance.  Hence it is correct to say, that whilst the consideration of 'Forgiveness' is not relevant in 'absolute' terms, it does have 'relative consequences.'

​

For example, a judicial system may want to include within its 'legal mechanisms' - a procedure and practice of including 'Forgiveness' as part of its legal structure.  This may manifest in practical terms in practices such as 'victim support schemes,' or ways in which a 'Victim' is brought into the legal process in a more central manner - such as inviting 'Victims' to take part in the legal process against a 'Perpetrator.'

 

Another instance of 'consequential relevance' in the 'Nature of Forgiveness' is that there are 'psychological,' 'emotional' and even 'practical' benefits (these have been discussed above.)  Therefore in a relative sense, whether one adopts a 'Negative' or 'Positive' approach to the concept of 'Forgiveness' is of some importance.

​

Conditionality & Forgiveness

​