12 Ajmaq invites us to
- reflect on the accumulated wisdom of forgiveness and acceptance
- bundle our life experiences of releasing resentment and choosing to move on
- honor the ancestors who taught us about compassion
Jesus taught and embodied peace, compassion, acceptance, and forgiveness. Many modern-day Christians are twisting those teachings into hatred, exclusion, violence, and injustice. The current federal government leaders are falsely claiming the U.S. is a “Christian nation” and planning to celebrate it as such for the upcoming 250th anniversary of the country of my birth in July.
I tend to agree more with Bertrand Russell’s perspective on organized religion. In his essay “Why I Am Not a Christian,” Russell argues that religion is based primarily on fear of the unknown, of death, and of punishment. He posits that moral behavior comes from compassion and reason, not from divine command or the promise of reward or threat of punishment in an afterlife.
Looking back at my life path, I think of the times when I forgave myself or someone else, accepted what had happened, and allowed myself to move on. I am human, fallible, and far from perfect. We all are. Yet I do not embrace the idea of original sin and needing to repent and seek a savior. I do not embrace the notions of heaven and hell, other than the ones we create in our lives, in the moment, through our etched-in-stone thoughts, beliefs, opinions, and prejudices.
Acceptance and forgiveness are daily practices.
Yet it is hard to forgive the war-mongers and ultra-rich who kill innocent people, children, animals with their ruthless greed.
The work of 12 Ajmaq involves reflecting on the times we have chosen grace over resentment. Recognizing that forgiveness is not a one-time event but a practice we return to again and again.
I forgive myself for my mistakes. I accept my humanity. I let go of the need for perfection or seeking salvation from outside myself.
And still, I struggle. Still, I rage at injustice. Still, I find some things harder to forgive than others. That too is part of the practice of being human.
Maltiox, Nawal Ajmaq.
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