These words by Rumi are echoed nearly identically in A Course in Miracles; a spiritual philosophy that has been called a modern-day translation of the teachings of Jesus. The very origin of ACIM grew out of a conflicted relationship between two colleagues at Columbia University, and their willingness to find a better way to work together. Their expressed agreement to find a better way was the apparent catalyst for the transmission (through inner dictation) of the three volumes of A Course in Miracles.

Jesus demonstrated this kind of "seeing" masterfully. It was his Christ vision that could look upon those who betrayed and destroyed his body and extend his forgiveness by looking past their errors and beholding their essential innocence. Because he did not see them as victimizers, neither could he be a victim.

When we accept responsibility for our reactions to the slings and arrows of life, we are no longer victims. Ultimately, forgiveness can bring us peace of mind, happiness, a quiet mind, a certainty of purpose, and a sense of worth and beauty. All of heaven is behind us in that quest. It is not withheld from us. It may come at a desperate time when we ache from the inner conflict of resentment and are finally willing to seek a better way. This tiny willingness is all that Spirit needs to help us find a way to forgive.

This is such a high teaching, and we tend to think a love so pure is only possible through an enlightened master such as Jesus or a Mother Theresa or a Dali Lama, but many of us have known such love from our own mothers. Of course, my mother was not perfect; she had her human flaws and hang-ups like the rest of humanity. The perfect love that indwelled her was sometimes expressed imperfectly. Yet, I witnessed on many occasions a depth of unconditional love so pure and unflinching that left me knowing with certainty that nothing could block her love for me. While disapproving of my behavior, she nonetheless was able to look past my mistakes, and see the innocence and perfection of my being. This is divine love, expressed perfectly through a human being. It’s a model for love and forgiveness. And it’s not just reserved for Moms, though they are our greatest teachers of this potential in all of us. Thanks, Mom. I miss your presence, yet your lesson on love is very much alive in me to this day.