jenkoski

I just wanted to tell you thank you Jo. Your story in BR&W & your TEDx talk - all your words about forgiveness and seeing the humanity in others have touched me deeply. Any plans to come to the U.S. to speak?

Wow - today? Sad it didn't happen! I live near Salt Lake City. Would love to hear more from you - I thought your answer to the agitated reporter (in BR&W) was beautiful - trusting your inner impulse to see his humanity & not using labels to confine anyone. What would you say is the biggest hurdle in delivering your message of forgiveness? (is there some particular aspect of forgiveness that's hard to articulate or most often misunderstood?)

I think I understand (somewhat). Do you mean we are prone to think in terms of Us vs. Them? I'm wondering if that's a learned response or perhaps a more natural tendency. By wall of betrayal, do you mean that you felt at first you would be betraying yourself if you forgave him? It seems you discovered (by going through that wall) that the opposite was true? - that we really only betray ourselves by not forgiving?... (sorry to be putting words in your mouth, I'm just re-stating to see if I understand.) I struggle with the idea of connection. I have felt it, on occasion (that we're all connected, that no space intervenes) but the feeling I have of separation from others is stubbornly persistent and feels very real at times, though I try to remember it's not true. Betrayal would be a great topic to explore further - I would love to hear more of your thoughts about it. That, and "there is no enemy" - that's a very profound discovery. [I will try to connect with you on facebook, I'm Jennifer Poff Koski there.] Thank you for taking time today to answer questions. You and your amazing story are a gift to us. The world needs to hear you!