Book Review

'FORGIVENESS'
'The greatest Healer of all'

My first contact with Dr.Gerald Jampolsky was in 1980 when as a very enthusiastic new student of A Course in Miracles I read an article of his in a Unity magazine called 'The Quiet Word. It was the first time I had come across a printed reference to A Course in Miracles, which was the inspirational source of his work. I managed through Unity to find his address in Tiburon and wrote a letter to him. Here was my first chance to have a discussion with someone who found the Course 5 years earlier. Like all egos I wanted to have the latest of everything and a spiritual pathway was no exception. I remember asking him had he found anything since the Course that maybe he had now moved on to.
A couple of weeks later I received the letter I was waiting for. Jerry had filled the letter with little hearts that fell around me when I opened the envelope. He wrote me a lovely letter in which he told me how the Course had affected his life and no, he hadn't found anything to take its place because there wasn't anything. That was all the confirmation I needed and I have never queried the pathway I had chosen again.
It was also the beginning of a long friendship with Jerry and his wife Diane Cirincione culminating in our staging a couple of major events in Sydney in 1988 packing out two halls (upstairs and downstairs). During his stay in Sydney we escorted both Jerry and Dianne to meet doctors who were working with aids patients and to an attitudinal centre for people with life threatening illnesses. Since then we have kept in touch and spent time with them in Hawaii and in Sydney.

What can one say about Jerry?

You first would notice his ear to ear smile and the big hug he gives you. Your first impression is that of a very warm loving human being and the longer you know him the more that impression is confirmed. All his writings have reflected that warmth. What I have always liked about his writings is his willingness to admit his failings and ego lapses and how is always willing to hear the corrective voice for love. We relate to him because he shares our ego fears and shows us an example how we too can turn fear into love.
Jerry with Diane has travelled the world for years extending the message of forgiveness and his inspiring books have uplifted many. His first book "Love is Letting Go of Fear" has sold well over a million copies. His new book is simply called 'Forgiveness' which is the bottom line of his work and A Course in Miracles®

"Forgiving others is the first step to forgiving ourselves"

Jerry says in his book "Forgiving others is the first step to forgiving ourselves" which is also the main method used in the workbook of A Course in Miracles® and amplified in the text. He quotes personal examples of how forgiveness has healed difficult personal relationships in his life and talks about the toxic affects of an unforgiving mind.
"When we each take responsibility for removing the blocks to the presence of love through forgiveness, what we will experience is going to be peace, joy and happiness that is beyond our imagination. Forgiveness is the bridge to God, love and happiness. It is the bridge that allows us to say goodbye to guilt, blame and shame. It teaches us that love is letting go of fear."
Quote from Dr. Gerald Jampolsky's "Forgiveness"
This could be a great little book to give to someone who might be suffering the pain of unforgiveness and the inevitable depression that results from that emotion.
Jerry does not claim to be perfect or attempt to analyse deeper meanings contained in A Course in Miracles®. He merely does what he does best; teaching love in all his writings, lectures and in just the way he lives.
Bill McDonald