healing hearts ~ building peace

What is Forgiveness?


Why Forgive?

Physically, forgiveness creates a higher quality of life, a healthier body, and a more positive attitude. It can reduce anger, bitterness, resentment and depression. Spiritually, forgiveness affirms what our faith usually requires of us and, therefore, helps us live a life of integrity. Socially, forgiveness reduces anger and resentment and often leads to an improvement in personal relationships with family, friends and community.

How to Forgive

Dr. Robert Enright, founder of the International Forgiveness Institute, has created a pathway to forgiveness that can help you forgive if you willingly choose to do so. His latest book is a hands-on guide that walks readers through the process in 8 key steps with a special focus on self-forgiveness as well as interpersonal forgiveness.


Forgiveness Education

The International Forgiveness Institute focuses almost exclusively on the development of forgiveness education curricula for children in war-torn, impoverished, and/or oppressed areas of the globe.


Peace Through Forgiveness

Forgiveness education is one path toward peace and the International Forgiveness Institute is convinced that forgiveness is the missing piece to the peace puzzle.


Forgiveness Around the World

In more than 30 countries around the world-from Northern Ireland to Lebanon; from China to Liberia (West Africa); from Greece to Israel; and from Canada to Colombia, South America-Forgiveness Education programs have been established by the International Forgiveness Institute.



Meet the Forgiveness Trailblazer

Dr. Robert Enright is the unquestioned pioneer in the scientific study of forgiveness. He has been called "the forgiveness trailblazer" by Time magazine because of his 30-year academic commitment to researching and implementing forgiveness programs.