In this book, clinical psychologist Allen Carter explains how our minds often function by obeying "commandments" dictated by false gods that he calls "the creator god," "the we-god," and the "i-god." He explains how we can overcome being victims of these commandments by identifying who we truly are, through what Carter calls "the ten acceptances and their gifts."In the chapter about one of the "i-god" commandments about how we often believe that we are unworthy and guilty with shameful pasts, Carter explains how forgiveness can often free us from these feelings of guilt.
True forgiveness recognizes that there is no guilt and never was! People just do what they do. Behavior is neutral. It is our judgment that makes the behavior right or wrong ... Yet, what about those others who hurt us, who did not love us, who used us, or abused us? What about them? The answer, dear reader, is "Forgive them for they know not what they do," or more accurately, they do not know who they are. They do not know that they are loved unconditionally. If they did, they would not hurt us, abuse us, or leave us.
I wasn't a fan of the first part of this book: it's supposed to the dialog in a class that he taught at Morehouse College, though the "dialog" seemed a bit phony and forced. But the next four parts were written better. The book fits pretty squarely into the lump category of self-help books by Deepak Chopra, Wayne Dyer, and others. The only difference is that it was by a black author and he often talks about the black experience while exploring these subjects. Overall: a decent book.
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