How do I apologize to someone after we've had a serious conflict?

Mirabai knew something about the weight of broken things. She sang about longing and loss with such honesty that people felt seen in their own pain. An apology works the same way—it has to be honest about what you actually did, not what you wish you'd done. Start there: name the specific thing. Not 'I'm sorry you felt hurt' but 'I said something unkind about your family, and I can see how that betrayed your trust.' Then sit with the silence. Don't rush to fix it or explain your intention—that often makes it about you again. Mirabai's devotion was fierce because it wasn't about getting something back. She loved without negotiating the terms. An apology is similar: offer it without requiring forgiveness in return. Some people need time. Some need to see change first. Your job is the apology itself, genuine and clear. If they don't accept it immediately, that's information, not failure. Keep showing up differently. Trust rebuilds slowly, through small consistent acts, the way Mirabai's faith deepened through daily practice, not grand gestures.