The Heart of Forgiveness

A Heart Meditation & Reading Group

How do we forgive the unforgiveable? And should we even try? These are some of the questions the great writer and wisdom teacher Ursula K Le Guin explores in her book Five Ways to Forgiveness. The book is set on two worlds where a revolution has taken place to abolish slavery after centuries of oppression of pale skinned people who have been seen as inferior by darker skinned people. The five related stories in the book explore different aspects of how truth and reconciliation, healing and forgiveness, can be nurtured in the wake of abuse of power and trust. Perhaps we can all relate in some way to the issues raised in the books.

Over six months, we will read and discuss the stories here, one each month with a closing month to explore the overarching themes and to decide how we would like to proceed as a reading group. One group is meeting on Sunday afternoons 4-5:30pm UK time. Another group might be forming around another time zone to welcome friends from Australia. Let us know if you would like to hear when that is set up.

Here are the dates and stories for the first group
Sundays either 11am-12:30pm OR 4-5:30pm U.K. time

13th October 2024 Discussing ‘Betrayal’
17th November 2024 Discussing ‘Forgiveness Day’
8th December 2024 Discussing ‘A Man of the People’
5th January 2025 Discussing ‘A Woman’s Liberation’
2nd February 2025 Discussing ‘Old Music and the Slave Women’
2nd March 2025 Explore forgiveness, healing and the future of our group.