Finding a way to extend forgiveness to ourselves is one of our most
essential tasks. Just as others have been caught in suffering, so have we.
If we look honestly at our life, we can see the sorrows and pain that have led
to our own wrongdoing. In this we can finally extend forgiveness to ourselves;
we can hold the pain we have caused in compassion. Without such mercy,
we will live our own life in exile.

“In deep self-acceptance grows a compassionate understanding.
As one Zen master said when I asked if he ever gets angry,
‘Of course I get angry, but then a few minutes later I say to myself,
‘What’s the use of this,’ and I let it go.’” ~Jack Kornfield