Forgiving is a concept that many dismiss as “not for them.” This book illustrates reasons why we, as individuals, benefit when we forgive someone who wronged us. This book offers The Fourfold Path to Healing Ourselves and Our World.
Author: Archbishop Desmond Tutu
Book: The Book of Forgiving
Published: 2014
Pages: 229
The Book of Forgiving: The Fourfold Path for Healing Ourselves and Our World
Archbishop Desmond Tutu creates a “roadmap to peace” for anyone with the courage to read it. This book is a profound and deeply moving work of art. It took me three months after I purchased the book to get up my nerve to crack the cover. Seriously.
This is an intimidating topic: Forgiveness.
Was I ready – finally – to see how deep I could go into this topic? Would I have the guts to follow this topic wherever it may lead?
Yes, I had the guts. I’ve listened to the Audible version twice. I’ve read the printed book twice.
Used up one yellow highlighter marking sentences and phrases that struck a chord.
And I eagerly planned to do the 6-hour exercise called “Carrying the Stone.”
The instruction is simple:
To find a stone or rock you may hold in the palm of your hand for six hours without putting it down.
The stone represents a burden (or a pain) you are carrying in your life. During the six-hour exercise, it will become apparent how long you are willing to carry this burden. Or whether you are willing to release it.
Sounds interesting, yes? I took this exercise seriously.
As a matter of fact, I could not find a suitable stone or rock. Even after driving to Rock Springs park, I came up empty. Therefore, my next move was to call for a little help from a friend.
My friend, Aimee, who crafts beautiful jewelry out of unique pieces of sea glass.
A quick email to Aimee describing my quest for a suitable “stone” or “rock” confirmed she had options that were perfect for my mission.
I hopped in my car and drove the 100 miles. I love Saint Augustine. And Aimee had two or three sea glass pieces for me to pick up and test in the palm of my hand.
Now I was ready to tackle the six-hour exercise! Driving home I could hardly contain my anticipation.
I chose the next Saturday when I planned to stay home, for that would make it easier.
To get to the crux of the matter, this 6-hour exercise turned out to be insightful and eye-opening.
The notes I made all morning gave me a good record for later review. Totally worth my Saturday morning to work this in the manner the Archbishop suggested.
If you choose to read this book, be prepared to have titanic shifts in perspective. No matter how well you think you understand your opinions or beliefs, this book will rattle you to the core.
And if you are a seeker of peace, you are in the right place. This book will help you level up to a better understanding of what it will take to bring peace to our world.
Bravo to Archbishop Desmond Tutu for this magnificent work. Our humanity just might stand a chance if more folks have the courage to take his wisdom to heart.