Then Jesus straightened up and said to her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” She replied, “No one, sir.” Then Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you. Go, from now on do not sin any more.”
-- John 8:10-11
Use the key of impermanence to unlock the door of reality -- the nature of inter-being, of no self, of emptiness. That is why you should not look at impermanence as a notion, a theory, or a philosphy, but as an instrument offered by the Buddha so that we can practice looking deeply and discover the true nature of reality.
-- Answers from the Heart, by Thich Nhat Hanh
The religious conversations around sin are numerous. Sin is seen as an obstacle, as leading to punishment, and even classified into degrees of severity. Unfortunately it is also a notion often used to judge, to discriminate, and thus add suffering around the original wound.
Instead of casting sin away, sin can be a useful instrument for contemplation when we shine the light of mindfulness on it.
If we say, “We are without sin,” we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
-- 1 John 1:8
