the universe is one being

In order to learn forgiveness

man must learn tolerance first. And there

are people whom man cannot forgive. It is not that he

must not forgive, but it is difficult, beyond his power to forgive,

and in that case the first thing he can do is to forget. The first step

towards forgiveness is to forget. It is true that the finer the

man is the more he is subject to be hurt by the smallest

disturbance that can produce irritation and

inharmony in the atmosphere.

A person who gives

and takes hurts is capable of living

an easy and comfortable life in the world.

Life is difficult for the fine person, for he cannot

give back what he receives in the way of hurt, and he can

feel it more than the average person. Many seek protection from

all hurting influences by building some wall around themselves. But

the canopy over the earth is so high that a wall cannot be built high

enough, and the only thing one can do is to live in the midst of

all inharmonious influences, to strengthen his will power

and to bear all things, yet keeping the fineness of

character and a nobleness of manner together

with an ever-living heart.

To become cold

with the coldness of the world

is weakness, and to become broken

by the hardness of the world is feebleness,

but to live in the world and yet to keep above the world

is like walking on the water. There are two essential duties

for the man of wisdom and love; that is to keep the love

in our nature ever increasing and expanding and to

strengthen the will so that the heart may not be

easily broken. Balance is ideal in life;

man must be fine and yet strong,

man must be loving and

yet powerful.
 

Hazrat Inayat Khan

the training of the ego