Articles

Embark on a transformative journey inspired by Dr. Fred Luskin, a leading figure in forgiveness and health promotion. While the articles here aren’t authored by Dr. Luskin directly, they draw from his influential work at the Stanford University Forgiveness Projects and the Institute for Transpersonal Psychology. Explore a curated collection that delves into the profound connection between forgiveness, health, and happiness. These articles, influenced by Dr. Luskin’s expertise, offer unique perspectives on resilience and joy, complementing his acclaimed works like “Forgive for Good” and “Stress Free for Good,” co-authored with Kenneth Pelletier, Ph.D. Join us in discovering the transformative power of forgiveness for a happier, healthier life.

All Is Not Quiet In the Library Catalogs

Foundation Against Intolerance & Racism

“Imagine you are searching for a book in your local library’s online catalog. What do you expect to see in the record for the book? Factual information, I presume: the author’s name, the title of the work, the publisher, some information about the book’s topic, and where you could find it on the library’s shelves. Would you appreciate knowing what the cataloger who created the record thought of the book? “

How to Forgive Anyone—and Why Your Health Depends on It

By: Harriet Brown, oprah.com

“Fred Luskin wants me to forgive my mother. And, while I’m at it, my father, my third-grade teacher, my passive-aggressive coworker, the woman who cut me off on the highway, and the guys in Washington who’ve made such a mess of things. Not for their sake, but for mine: Luskin is convinced I’ll be less anxious, more upbeat, and healthier if I do.”

Peace Work

By: Joan O'C. Hamilton, Stanford Magazine

“Patrician Magee has sparkling eyes, a ready smile and the lilting voice of many an Irishwoman. But for the last decade, she has also harbored a consuming sorrow and anger. Magee lives in Belfast, Northern Ireland, wellspring of years of discord the Irish call “the troubles.” She is Catholic, and in 1992 her brother Martin was beaten to death by Protestant loyalists. His killers were apprehended and jailed, but released in a prisoner exchange as part of a peace agreement. Now, they live near her family. They walk the same streets.”

Let Go of Your Grudges. They’re Doing You No Good.

By: Tim Herrera, The New York Times

“Holding onto a grudge really is an ineffective strategy for dealing with a life situation that you haven’t been able to master. That’s the reality of it,” said Dr. Frederic Luskin, founder of the Stanford Forgiveness Project.

“Whenever you can’t grieve and assimilate what has happened, you hold it in a certain way,” he said. “If it’s bitterness, you hold it with anger. If it’s hopeless, you hold it with despair. But both of those are psycho-physiological responses to an inability to cope, and they both do mental and physical damage.”

How to Ask for Forgiveness, in Four Steps

By: Bruce Feiler, The New York Times

“On a weekday evening in early September, more than 400 people, from their late teens to their early 80s, crowded into a standing-room-only event on Manhattan’s Upper West Side. The topic was not politics, film, fashion, celebrity or any other subject that could be expected to draw such a crowd. The topic was forgiveness. Sitting in the audience, I was wondering why so many people had turned out, when suddenly: an electrifying moment.”

The secret to happiness? Stanford professor says it’s forgiveness.

By: Angela Hill, The Mercury News

“Here’s a prescription for better health and happiness: Forgive.

Yes, forgiving someone who has hurt you can reduce anger, depression, stress – and even blood pressure — and lead to greater feelings of optimism, hope, compassion and self-confidence.

This is not just a nice, ethereal concept or something a Sunday school teacher once told you to do. There’s a method to this gladness, with ongoing research that shows forgiveness can promote improved mental and physical health.”