Part 3: To Give and Receive ... Forgiveness

In my previous blog posting I mentioned “And in giving, so you (shall) receive [pause] …love.” Yes, ‘love’ was the word that followed that phrase as in ‘receiving love.’ The word that immediately came to me after that (i.e., ‘love’) was 'forgiveness' as in “The greatest power is the power of forgiveness.”[Photo: AFP, http://www.rfi.fr/actuen/articles/122/article_6826.asp]

In forgiveness, you also give. You give absolution - that word just came out of the blue now as I am typing this – and it means (I had to look it up), "formal release from guilt, obligation, or punishment" (as per google search).

To me this indicates releasing someone from prison, one that you psychologically impose, and even more so releasing oneself from prison! (It's actually perhaps more like freeing yourself from being in shackles.) The laws of giving and receiving, and that of karma applies here just the same (see previous post, Dec. 8, 2013).

Nelson Mandela, first South African black president, who recently died, was an epitome of forgiveness. Viktor Frankl, prisoner of Auschwitz concentration camp in WWII (who eventually authored Man’s Search for Meaning) is another prime example.


Who do you need to forgive? Your spouse, partner, child, neighbour, enemy, friend, yourself? Can you do so? Now? Soon? Before the end of this year (and start the new year fresh)?

Part 2: To Give and Receive ... Love

Someone recently posted this on FB (Facebook): “The Greatest Power is the Power of Giving.”

I responded with – these words came immediately to me – “And in giving, so you (shall) receive,” that is, “in giving, so you receive” or “in giving, so you shall receive.”

And the word ‘love’ came immediately to mind after my phrase, as in ‘receiving love.’ Thus, the above statement can be read as “And in giving, so shall you receive love.” However, it can also be read as “…in giving love, so shall you receive” or “…in giving love, so shall you receive love.” (Can you tell I love to play with words?)

This spiritual or universal law on giving – there are others! – is what occurs when you give. When you give, you receive in turn. For example, offer love in kind acts of (selfless) service if you wish to have and feel love in your life.

This principle is similar to karma in that whatever action you take, it will initiate a response in kind. It is based on the intent or nature of the act of giving. Essentially, what you sow is what you reap.

Thus, if a good deed is demonstrated, a favourable response is reciprocated (and I'm not referring to the receiver). The reverse can also be said for unkind deeds. Though not always immediate, it does come...in time. In fact, it occurs when the time is right and not necessarily when you think or expect it. (Patience is supposedly a virtue!)

It is ideal, of course, to give without expectation(s) and to come from one’s heart when doing so. This is the highest form of giving which is, actually, a symbol of love. The receiving end can actualize in a vast variety of forms, from as simple as a smile, a hug, flowers, a card, a gift, money, a favour or service, and so on.

Again, to reiterate the importance of giving in coming from the heart, from a space of love as it is the highest expression of giving.

Indeed, the greatest power is the power of love.

What form of giving can you gift others? How is it received?