We are caught in our feelings. If we live anywhere with other people, forgiveness is a necessary ingredient in our everyday lives. Most of us have learned to let many little infractions pass, with forgiveness easily meted out in order to live in harmony with our fellow human travelers. The problem comes when we cannot let go, when we cannot forgive an infraction on our space, whether big or small, intentional or unintentional. Forgiveness is letting go of our self-attachment to a situation.
Forgiveness is in fact one of the great initiatory processes exemplified in the Christian tradition.
Jesus was able to walk through his tragic persecution and crucifixion without wavering in his God-connectedness, without getting attached to blame or resentment, leaving this physical plane with forgiveness on his lips. His ability to forgive was a major step in his initiation. The self-torment of resentment can end. We can wake up at any time. As we are trying to travel the spiritual path and to develop our latent powers along the way, one of those powers is forgiveness.