What is forgiveness and how to forgive

As a family Doctor, I see many folks who are struggling with the past, and the past has a significant impact on their emotional wellbeing. They can’t seem to let go of the past. It’s is extremely difficult, almost impossible for them. Due to the biopsychosocial model of health, poor mental health then leads to poor relationships and physical health. See my short video on biopsychosocial here. 

Without knowing what forgiveness is, it can be hard to know how to forgive.  So what is forgiveness?

Forgiveness requires full acceptance of what is IS. It’s not simply an intellectual thing, but also an emotional one. If one is in intellectual acceptance, one may have logically accepted it but emotionally, may still feel angry and resentful.  If one is fully in acceptance, one will feel at peace with it. 

Part of learning how to accept is knowing the difference between fusion and defusion. Here is a short video on fusion and defusion ACT (Acceptance Commitment Therapy).