Forgiveness is like the martial arts of consciousness.  In aikido and other martial arts, we sidestep our attacker's force rather than resisting it.  The energy of the attack then boomerangs back in the direction of the attacker. Forgiveness works in the same way.  When we attack back, and defense is a form of attack, we initiate a war which no one can win.

A Return to Love: Reflections on the Principles of "A Course in Miracles"