International Forgiveness Institute

International Forgiveness Institute We believe that forgiveness is a choice. In doing so, an amazing transformation begins. When you forgive, you may benefit the person you forgive.

The International Forgiveness Institute is dedicated to helping people gain knowledge about forgiveness and to use that knowledge for personal, group, and societal renewal. If you have been deeply hurt by another, you can choose to forgive rather than hold on to debilitating anger and resentment. The black clouds of anxiety and depression give way to enhanced self-esteem and genuine feelings of ho

pefulness. But you benefit yourself far more. By liberating yourself from the pain and sorrow, you can reclaim your life and find the peace that your anger had stolen. The founder of the International Institute of Forgiveness, Robert D. Enright, PhD, pioneered this thinking more than 25 years ago and created the first scientifically proven forgiveness program in the country. By using the Institute’s 20-step forgiveness process model, anyone—individuals, families, communities, even governments—can experience the extraordinary benefits of forgiveness. With the correct approach to forgiveness, we can all help restore healthy emotions, rebuild relationships and establish more peaceful communities around the world. The IFI has developed the foundation for this by creating forgiveness education curriculum guides aimed at children in Kindergarten through high school.

06/18/2026

The search for forgiveness is the search for a healing of an ache of the human heart.
- Lorenzo Albacete

06/16/2026

After darkness comes the light......and the practice of forgiving can get you faster to the light.

06/16/2026

“We tend to talk about justice far more often in every community that’s been in turmoil, and we rarely talk about forgiveness and mercy.”
— Robert Enright

06/15/2026

To me, forgiveness is not just about the other person, it’s about becoming whole by taking back the piece of yourself you allowed another human being to keep.
--Eleazar Wawa

06/14/2026

Forgiveness frees the forgiver. It extracts the forgiver from someone else's nightmare.
- Lance Morrow

06/13/2026

Rehabilitation of your heart by cleansing it of anger is a great benefit to all of your loved ones. Consider giving them the gift of a new you by forgiving those who make you excessively angry.

06/12/2026

You talk about forgiveness being not only giving up resentment but also developing compassion and even moral love toward the one who has hurt you. What does it mean to love a stranger who had no relationship with you prior to his offense? There is no trust or relationship to restore to start with, but even in that case, do you think it is possible to love that offender? If you do, would you please give some examples?

Yes, we can love strangers when we realize that all people have inherent (built-in) worth. Therefore, we can serve those we do not know. We can come to the aid of strangers. When we give money to a suffering person who has her back to a wall as you pass by, you are showing that she has inherent worth. When you refuse to retaliate toward a stranger who is not good to you, you are showing that the person has inherent worth. As you show such worth to others, you are loving those people as you serve them.

06/10/2026

Forgiveness: one important way in which you never will be defeated by evil. Your inner world can remain peaceful even when chaos swirls around you.

This is Dr. Enright's latest post in Psychology Today. It was given Essential Read status:
06/09/2026

This is Dr. Enright's latest post in Psychology Today. It was given Essential Read status:

There is beauty in forgiving others. This beauty can be obscured when forgiveness is limited to decisions or feelings. Forgiving can protect others, offering mercy and even love.

06/09/2026

Strength: Being able to love those who will not love you.

Courage: Being able to love those who will not love you.

Joy: Being able to love those who will not love you.

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Madison, WI

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