Jainism's main preaching - Forgiveness and self forgiveness

What is self forgiveness?

Self-ForgivenessEdit

Self-forgiveness happens in situations where an individual has done something that they perceive to be morally wrong and they consider themselves to be responsible for the wrongdoing.^[88] Self-forgiveness is the overcoming of negative emotions that the wrongdoer associates with the wrongful action.^[88]Negative emotions associated with wrongful action can include guilt, regret,remorse, blame, shame, self-hatred and/or self-contempt.^[88]

Major life events that include traumacan cause individuals to experience feelings of guilt or self-hatred.^[89]Humans have the ability to reflect on their behaviours to determine if their actions are moral.^[89] In situations of trauma, humans can chose to self-forgive by allowing themselves to change and live a moral life.^[89] Self-forgiveness may be required in situations where the individual hurt themselves or in situations where they hurt others.^[89]

Therapeutic ModelEdit

Individuals can unintentionally cause harm or offence to one another in everyday life. It is important for individuals to be able to recognize when this happens, and in the process of making amends, have the ability to self-forgive.^[90] Specific research suggests that the ability to genuinely forgive one’s self can be significantly beneficial to an individual’s emotional as well as mental well-being.^[91] The research indicates that the ability to forgive one’s self for past offences can lead to decreased feelings of negative emotions such asshame and guilt, and can increase the use of more positive practices such as self-kindness and self-compassion.^[91]However, it has been indicated that it is possible for the process of self-forgiveness to be misinterpreted and therefore not accurately completed.^[90]This could potentially lead to increased feelings of regret or self-blame.^[91] In an attempt to avoid this, and increase the positive benefits associated with genuine self-forgiveness, a specific therapeutic model of self-forgiveness has been recommended, which can be used to encourage genuine self-forgiveness in offenders. The model that has been proposed has four key elements. These elements includeresponsibility, remorse, restoration andrenewal.^[91]

1. The therapeutic model suggestsresponsibility as the first necessary step towards genuine self-forgiveness.^[91]Research advises that in order to avoid the negative affect associated with emotions such as overwhelming guilt or regret, offenders must first recognize that they have hurt another individual, and accept the responsibility necessary for their actions.^[90][91]
2. Once the individual has accepted responsibility for their offences, it is natural for them to experience feelings of remorse or guilt. However, these feelings can be genuinely processed and expressed preceding the need for restoration.^[91]
3. The act of restoration allows the offending individual to make the necessary amends to the individual(s) they have hurt.
4. The final component in the model of self-forgiveness is renewal. The offending individual is able to genuinely forgive themselves for their past transgressions and can engage in more positive and meaningful behaviors such as self-compassion and self-kindness.^[91]

Despite the suggested model, research advises that the process of self-forgiveness is not always applicable for every individual.^[91] For example,individuals who have not actually caused others any harm or wrongdoing, but instead are suffering from negative emotions such as self-hatred or self-pity, such as victims of assault, might attempt self-forgiveness for their perceived offences. However, this would not be the process necessary for them to make their amends.^[91]Additionally, offenders who continue to offend others while attempting to forgive themselves for past offences demonstrate a reluctance to genuinely complete the four stages necessary for self-forgiveness.^[91] Research suggests that it is important to first gather exterior information about the individual’s perceived offences as well as their needs and motivation for self-forgiveness.^[91]