The practice of forgiveness grows from generosity and repetition. To forgive requires letting go of the anger. Working through the anger is imperative to forgiveness work.
In a study on the forgiveness related to the conflicts in Northern Ireland, it was found that the specific emotion of anger, or anger-related emotions (hostility and resentment, rather than other negative emotions, such as fear and disgust), hinders forgiveness. Anger needs to be expressed and released before forgiveness may occur.
I found this set of meditation at a time when I was hurt very deeply by someone else. However, in working through this I realized that I had to go back and ask for forgiveness from others who I have hurt in the past, forgive those who have hurt me and also forgive myself. My heart now feels lighter and I feel I am truly on the road to having a new life and a newness in life. Thanks so much for these wonderful lessons on gratitude.
Yes, it is one thing to forgive others that hurt us, but forgiving ourselves is another thing. I am seeing this and contemplating it. Meditating on being kind to myself and forgiving myself. It is the final step.