Forgiveness, Reconciliation and Hope in Trauma Healing

In this talk, I argue that trauma healing is complex and individual. The internal experience of forgiveness can help heal traumas that have been experienced both individually and within a society because it (1) signals some perception of trustworthiness; (2) creates a desire to reconcile (though the person might not act on the desire), and (3) is perceived. Forgiveness can therefore lead to a change in one’s own and the other person’s behavior. Reconciliation is even
harder than forgiveness. Forgiveness involves one person making a decision to forgive and experiencing emotional forgiveness. Reconciliation involves a society in which individuals on each confl icting side diff er both within and between the groups. Trustworthiness and perceptions by the other side that both sides are trustworthy are diffi cult to reach. But reconciliation is possible and it is aided by individuals forgiving others. Trustworthiness can
be manifested by balancing justice and mercy, and trust can grow from perceptions of mutual trustworthiness. Trust can grow into hope, which can keep people seeking reconciliation even when it seems unlikely that it will occur.