Too Sorry to Say “I’m Sorry”: Forgiveness and the Work We Avoid
In this powerful and heart-centered episode of Beyond Names, Dr. Habīb Boerger sits down once again with artist and former imam Abdul Karim Pinckney (aka The Man of Real) to explore the deep terrain of forgiveness and reconciliation. Inspired by Abdul Karim’s soulful country song “Sorry” from his AI-performed album Manipulations of the Unreal, this conversation dives into why the simple act of apologizing is often so hard—and why it matters so much.
From the everyday difficulty of saying “I’m sorry” to the inner work required for genuine healing, Dr. Habīb and Abdul Karim reflect on personal experiences, spiritual teachings, and practical methods for moving from reactivity to repair. They explore Divine Names from the Islamic tradition (Ya Ghaffar, Ya Ghafur, Ya Tawwab, Ya Afuw), interspiritual alternatives, and a full process for doing the internal work of forgiveness—whether or not reconciliation is possible.
You’ll hear about:
The ego’s resistance to apology
What to do when someone says “sorry” but doesn’t mean it
When to forgive, when to walk away, and how to discern the difference
The danger of bypassing conflict with “just let it go”
And why real forgiveness always begins within
Whether you’re seeking to repair a relationship or release an old hurt, this episode offers a practical and soulful path forward.
🎧 Featuring the full audio of “Sorry”