Q: Even though I am trying to change into a better person, I worry about being punished for my past sins?

[Paramahamsa]

Q: Even though I am trying to change into a better person, I worry about being punished for my past sins?

We are never punished for our sins! Rather, we are punished by them. Sin always carries its own immediate punishment, but we are not aware of this. In fact, it is the concept of delayed punishment that allows people to commit sin; it is reassuring to know that one can sin now and pay for it later, maybe only on Judgment Day, or even in another life! The fact is that sin and punishment always come together. And I’m not talking about theft or murder.

To me, sin is any act that is committed in unawareness. Even overeating is a sin - and it usually brings its own punishment in the long run. When you are angry, when you are jealous or revengeful, you are committing violence against your own being. Your inner state is thrown out of kilter; your peace is ruined. Even a few minutes of anger can poison your entire system, and it will be hours or days before you can regain your normal state. This is your sin and your suffering.

Guilt is the most common and most major form of punishment you can inflict upon yourself. People usually pay for small, entirely forgettable sins with years of unnecessary guilt - like you are doing right now! The truth is, when you drop the guilt, you drop the sin also. A person committing adultery may be so lost in love that she is not conscious of sinning at all. Without the guilt, she is no longer a sinner, only a lover.

This is what heaven and hell actually are - psychological states of mind. You won’t find them on a map of the universe - they exist only inside your own mind. And worry and guilt are the surest ways to enter into hell. Guilt is useful in a limited way, in that it keeps you from committing the same mistake twice. If you have learnt your lesson, it is time to drop the guilt. No point in worrying about mistakes already made; there is no greater sin than refusing to let go of your past!

Read More : Uncommon Answers to Common Questions by Paramahamsa Nithyananda