Sin is Misunderstanding

Somewhere, somewhen, sentient beings came to the realization of their “badness.” You learn that you are sinful; you learn that you are impure. Some are schooled in the art of sin, taught that they are tainted. Rarely do people learn that they are beautiful or that God or the Great Mother dwells within them. Where does this evil lie? In your Self? Your body? What is it made of? Where does it come from?

Do not linger in theodicy if you truly seek sublime beauty or divinity. Discard completely the feeling of impurity —it impedes growth and it makes you dependent upon [REDACTED]. Give up the feeling of being a sinner. Even if you have committed errors in the past, it does no good to dwell on them. It only does more harm to think that you have become bad because of them. 

Once a devotee of Nityananda came to him and complained about another devotee. “He drinks alcohol and eats meat,” they insisted. “So what?” Baba said. “No matter what he eats or drinks, he shits it out the next day. He doesn’t hang onto it, so why are you?” 

Whatever you do or have done, it does no good to hold onto it. Learn from it and move on. If the thought “I am bad”  arises, then balance it with another thought: “I am good.” Whatever one thinks one becomes. So why think painful and wretched things, especially about your Self? Instead, have sublime and great thoughts.