Forgive Now! - Take the Rama Navami MSF Challenge

Dear Friends, Hope this meets you all well. "If we cannot forgive then there is no possibility of any relationships surviving on any level – whether it is husband and wife, friend and friend, neighbor and neighbor, between various academic groups, or between nations." - HH Radhanath Swami Lord Rama, gave his fullest to the practice of forgiveness. He forgave Kaikeyi and even Ravana. As part of Rama Navami MSF, we request you to take the "Forgiveness Challenge". All you need to do is to make a conscious thoughtful decision and forgive someone who gave you pain. Please share your experience with us and be part of a very special MSF offering  to Srila Prabhupad & Lord Rama. Essential Quality of Forgiveness In this fast paced modern age of quarrel and hypocrisy, forgiveness is a quality that is absolutely essential for any peace of mind and harmony.  We see modern role models who teach us the value and power of forgiveness.  In his second inaugural address delivered just before his death, Abraham Lincoln spoke about the need for mutual forgiveness from the North and South. Lincoln mentioned that, "I destroy my enemies when I make them my friends." Forgiveness Pleases the Lord When we consider the life of Lord Rama, we can see that he gave his fullest to the practice of forgiveness. He forgave Kaikeyi and even Ravana, though Ravana had performed so many lusty atrocities. When Rama slayed Taraka and as she was dying, he asked her forgiveness because he did not kill her out of hatred, but out of duty. Within the fabric of our Gaudiya  Vaishnava culture is the innate ability to forgive. Our Acaryas forgave even those who gave them the worst pain. Forgiveness is Pleasing to Krsna. In Srimad Bhagavatam 9.15.40, Srila Prabhupada writes, "The duty of a brahmana is to culture the quality of forgiveness, which is illuminating like the sun. The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Hari, is pleased with those who are forgiving." Dangers of Hatred "Maintaining resentment, hatred and vengefulness affects our own heart. Someone hurts us and we are angry; we feel that our rights have been violated. It is like picking a burning hot coal and holding on to it day after day, week after week, year after year, with the intention of throwing it on the object of our abuse. Who suffers? We suffer. If we keep this burning blazing fire in our heart, it will burn to ashes all of our virtues, all of our spiritual qualities."- HH Radhanath Swami Forgive Now! - Take the Rama Navami MSF Challenge As part of the Rama Navami MSF, one of the goals is to cultivate the Vaishnava quality of forgiveness. As a special offering to Lord Rama, make a conscious thoughtful decision & forgive someone who gave you pain. It is a glorious event to give forgiveness to someone who hurts us. Finding relief from our own pain may take a little longer. The sooner we make the forgiving event the faster we heal.  Remember none of us are perfect mahatmas, if we will not forgive, we will not be forgiven by Krishna. Share Your Forgiveness Experience Did you make a conscious effort to forgive someone as a special offering to Lord Rama on his birthday? Please share with us so can make a very special MSF offering to Srila Prabhupad & Lord Rama. Do you need help with forgiveness? Please let us know so we may assist.

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Hare Krishna!
 
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