KUDOS

  • “We must develop and maintain the capacity to forgive. He who is devoid of the power to forgive is devoid of the power to love. There is some good in the worst of us and some evil in the best of us. When we discover this, we are less prone to hate our enemies.”

    - Martin Luther King Jr.

  • "If we really want to love we must learn how to forgive."

    - Mother Teresa

  • "Forgiveness is the key to action and freedom."

    -Hannah Arendt

  • “But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.”

    -Matthew 4:44

  • “If you want to see the heroic, look at those who can love in return for hatred. If you want to see the brave, look at those who can forgive.”

    -Bhagavad Gita

  • "What power has love but forgiveness?"

    -William Carlos Williams

  • “I learned a long time ago that some people would rather die than forgive. It’s a strange truth, but forgiveness is a painful and difficult process. It’s not something that happens overnight. It’s an evolution of the heart.”

    -Sue Monk Kidd

  • “If you let go a little, you will have a little happiness. If you let go a lot, you will have a lot of happiness. If you let go completely, you will be free.”

    -Ajahn Chah

  • “Forgiveness will change your life and change our world.”

    -Desmond Tutu

  • “Forgiveness is about healing suffering for ourselves and others. Until we develop compassion within ourselves and a concern about the welfare of others, we cannot truly forgive.”

    -his holiness the Dalai Lama

  • “Nonviolence and forgiveness are not just an idea, but a way of life for me."

    -Congressman John Lewis

  • “Hatred never ceases by hatred, but by love alone is ceased. This is an ancient and eternal law.”

    -attributed to the Buddha

KUDOS

“This book, masquerading as an inspirational volume, urgently points to a quality essential to our well-being. While focused on forgiveness, this is but one instance of the broader value of learning to let go—of our regrets, grievances, petty preoccupations, distorted and self-serving stories—all of it. Letting go of our tendency to nurture our injuries is as imperative to emotional health as it is challenging. Bonner’s eloquent examples of those who have suffered more than most of us can imagine point, again and again, to the very real possibility of forgiving, and its value for us, those who have been harmed. The volume itself is lovely in its abundant use of poetry, quotes, even the typesetting. But this loveliness should not be taken to suggest the topic is trivial; indeed it points to the absolute requirement of relearning kindness toward ourselves and others as a prerequisite for restoring peace to our world.”
Paul Fulton, cofounder of the Institute for Meditation and Psychotherapy

“Inspiring Forgiveness is a book that has worked me into the bones of my integrity. I hate the difficulty of the process, yet love the life that holds it. This book invites a complex purifying aspect for us all—thus deepening our capacity to live together with greater freedom.”
Larry Yang, author of Awakening Together: The Spiritual Practice of Inclusivity and Community

“What a wonderful illumination of the power of forgiveness Barbara Bonner has given us. The book’s unique gathering of personal stories, poems, and quotations shows that forgiveness is not a momentary feeling but an attitude toward life, a practice of deep self-healing, and a path to freedom. Inspiring Forgiveness is aptly titled, for it does more than tell us about forgiveness, it inspires us to live it.”
John Brehm, editor of The Poetry of Impermanence, Mindfulness, and Joy

“Forgiveness is hard-won. It takes everything, and we are not in charge of the timing of the process. We have to just be completely willing. Easy to say. In this treasury, Barbara Bonner walks us through many new ways and insights to forge a new relationship to forgiveness.”
Sensei Koshin Paley Ellison, author of Wholehearted: Slow Down, Help Out, Wake Up

“An inspiring celebration of the greatest human virtue.”
David Loy, author of Ecodharma: Buddhist Teachings for the Ecological Crisis

“Bonner brings the reader into a meditative journey, discovering many facets of forgiveness along the way. A delightful read.”
Judson Brewer, MD, PhD, author of The Craving Mind: From Cigarettes to Smartphones to Love—Why We Get Hooked and How We Can Break Bad Habits

“Inspiring Forgiveness is a beautifully designed contemplation on one of the best practices we have for healing and opening our hearts.”
Elizabeth A. Stanley, PhD, author of Widen the Window: Training Your Brain and Body to Thrive During Stress and Recover from Trauma

“This powerful book can defuse the most destructive bombs and clean the wounds caused by the shrapnel of anger.”
Leslie Thomas, director of The Prosecutors

“Beautiful. Filled with courage, sweet mercy, and heart wisdom that can set you free.”
Jack Kornfield, author of A Path with Heart

“Barbara Bonner has created a gem in her collection of poetry, quotes, and stories all meant to inspire us on our path towards understanding and achieving forgiveness.”
Sharon Salzberg, author of Lovingkindness and Real Happiness

“Inspiring Forgiveness is a balm for this troubled world. It shows a path forward through the pain of harm and loss, opening new possibilities of love and freedom. Barbara Bonner’s new book actualizes its title – inspiring the great healing potential of forgiveness in all our lives.”
Joseph Goldstein, author of Mindfulness: A Practical Guide to Awakening

“More than ever, our world needs the wise and healing reminders Barbara Bonner offers in this jewel box of a book. These beautiful stories, poems and quotes will bathe and tenderize your heart.”
Tara Brach, author of Radical Acceptance and Radical Compassion

“Barbara Bonner hit a grand slam home run with Inspiring Forgiveness! This profoundly touching book feels like a soothing balm for the heart. It calms and comforts where we need it most, including forgiving ourselves.”
Rick Hanson, Ph.D., author of Buddha’s Brain

“I knew that this book would be inspiring because all of Barbara Bonner’s books are. But I had no idea that it would take us down into the gnarly details of the process of forgiveness. Let’s face it; forgiveness is the hardest thing. And Bonner helps us understand how to actually DO it in even the most difficult of circumstances. She does not shrink from the tough stuff. I adore this book, and will, quite simply, spend the rest of my life digesting its wisdom.”
Stephen Cope, author of The Great Work of Your Life

“Read this book a little, and you will find a little forgiveness. Read this book completely, and you will free your heart.”
Sumi Loundon Kim, Buddhist Chaplain, Yale University, and author of Sitting Together, A Family-Centered Curriculum on Mindfulness, Meditation and Buddhist Teachings