Freedom from ‘sin’

Across cultures and religions, we often hear about sin as something we are born with or something that decides our place in heaven or hell. These ideas, though deeply rooted, can sometimes create fear or carelessness rather than understanding. From a universal and spiritual perspective, sin can be understood in a much simpler way.

Sin is anything that creates sorrow – either for ourselves or for others. When we see sin through this lens, it becomes less about punishment, hopelessness, or carelessness and more about awareness, responsibility, and inner growth.

SORROW TAKEN WITHOUT BEING GIVEN

We may try our best not to cause sorrow to others, yet life is complex. Sometimes people feel hurt not because we intended to harm them but because they compare their lives with others’. One person’s good health can become another’s sorrow. One person’s peaceful life can awaken envy and result in sorrow for others. In such cases, sorrow is not given directly. Rather, it is taken unconsciously. We cannot fully control what others take from our living or feel about it, but we can be mindful of our intentions and actions. The sincere effort to avoid causing direct sorrow is already a step towards a life of harmony and compassion.

CHOOSE NOT TO TAKE IT

Creating sorrow for ourselves is often more subtle. We do this when we take pain from situations or people even when it is not truly given. Words, gestures, and behaviours pass through our lives every day. Sometimes someone genuinely hurts us, and sometimes we hurt ourselves by giving meaning to things that were never meant to hurt us. Not taking sorrow is more difficult than not giving it because taking happens almost automatically. We believe, “They hurt me, so how can I not feel pain?” Yet between what is given and what is taken, there is a small space – a moment of choice. Awareness allows us to pause in that space and choose what brings long-term peace.

FROM AUTOMATIC TO MANUAL MODE

When someone betrays us, we can choose to take sorrow or to take learning. When someone speaks harshly, we can either absorb their words or leave them where they belong: with the speaker.

Most of the time, we live in automatic mode, consuming without awareness. An aware mindset invites us to shift into manual mode, where we pause before consuming, choose the right choice, then respond consciously. Only a hurt heart would hurt hearts. When we stop taking sorrow, giving sorrow naturally ends.

Let us reset our inner settings, choosing peace over pain, awareness over reaction, and kindness towards ourselves and others. This is a gentle and practical way to live free from sin individually. Try it.

Courtesy: Rajyoga Meditation Centre, Kingston (meditation courses and counselling are offered free of charge). Get in touch via email: bkmeditation.jam@gmail.com or WhatsApp: 876-853-7848. Follow them on Instagram: rajyoga_meditation_jamaica