Forgiveness and Healing
- “He who cannot forgive breaks the bridge over which he himself must pass.” -George Herbert
- Are we capable of fully forgiving one another ? And what about forgiving ourselves ?
- Experience the transformative power of Forgiveness.
Most world religions and wisdom traditions include teachings on the nature of forgiveness. From the notion of divine forgiveness to that of humans practicing forgiveness, there are countless spiritual myths, lessons and teachings that explore the complex nature and process of forgiveness and reconciliation in their various forms.
Outside of the spiritual realm, psychologists, sociologists and doctors are among the scientific disciplines researching this perennial human need. The desire to forgive is widely recognized by the public, but they are often at a loss for ways to accomplish it. A 1988 Gallup poll found that 94% of people asked said it was important to forgive, but 85% said they needed some outside help to be able to do it.
This episode of Global Spirit explores forgiveness and healing on a personal and societal level, illuminating how spiritual practice and compassion can aid us on this most critical of journeys. Host Phil Cousineau brings together three guests who each approach the topic from a different angle. We see Ed Tick and his wife Kate Dahlstedt take a group of traumatized Vietnam War vets back to the land where they fought and killed, to help them learn the art of “forgiveness of the self” for what they did during a war almost 40 years ago. Program guest Azim Khamisa practices “forgiveness of the other” as he traces how he learned to forgive the boy who murdered his own son. Now Khamisa works with the killer’s grandfather to foster forgiveness and healing with young audiences all over the world.
He who cannot forgive breaks the bridge over which he himself must pass. -George Herbert
Program Guests
Azim Noordin Khamisa was born in Kenya, Africa and had early training in mathematics, economics and international finance. Committing his life to halting the continuing cycle of violence among the youth, Azim became a social activist after his 20-year-old son Tariq was senselessly murdered while delivering pizzas in January 1995 by Tony Hicks, a 14-year-old gang member. Because of his powerful story and message, Azim is a highly regarded and respected leader and a sought after speaker nationally and internationally.
Kate Dahlstedt is Co-Director at Soldier’s Heart, a veterans’ return and healing project addressing the emotional and spiritual needs of veterans, their families and communities. Kate holds a master’s degree in clinical psychology as well as post graduate certification from the Hartford Family Institute. She has been in private practice for over two decades. As a therapist and workshop leader, Kate specializes in grief and loss, trauma, and depression. She is also an adjunct professor at Russell Sage College in Troy, NY and a published writer.
Edward Tick, Ph.D., is Founding Director and Senior Clinician of Soldier’s Heart: Veterans’ Safe Return Programs. Honored for his groundbreaking work in the holistic and community-based healing of veterans and Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Dr. Tick has been a psychotherapist for 33 years, specializing in working with veterans since the 1970s. He is the author of Sacred Mountain, The Practice Of Dream Healing, The Golden Tortoise, and the award-winning book War And The Soul. Dr. Tick specializes in using psycho-spiritual, cross-cultural, and international reconciliation practices to bring healing to veterans, communities and nations recovering from the traumas of war and violence.
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