And Now … The Down and Dirty “Sins” that aren’t as “Bad” as you Think – Step 4

Cartoon boy looking downcast in the middle of a dried river bed

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Why do you feel it’s important that the process we use to describe our “character defects” or “sins” be a moral or compassionate one? 

OR

If you do not look at your mistakes, can you truly love yourself?

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It’s A Sin (Paul Anka covering the Pet Shop Boys)

More Sayings from Schopenhauer (1:09)

  Tibetan Singing Bowl Meditation (10:01)

English Analysis

Today’s SFZ explores the common understandings of sin, morality, and compassion. The first quote notes sin only means we have failed to love. This echoes Erich Fromm’s idea in The Art of Loving. He argues love is an art we must practice. If we do not love, we act selfishly. We harm ourselves and others.

The Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions reminds us to look honestly at our flaws. Carl Jung believed shadows live in everyone. In Modern Man in Search of a Soul, he urges us to see our hidden parts. We must accept our darker traits. The quote warns us that people resist facing “immorality” or “sin.” This avoidance deepens our disconnection.

The It Works: How & Why passage offers a solution. It tells us that a moral inventory does not shame us. It helps us love ourselves. This idea links to Schopenhauer’s words: “Compassion is the basis of all morality.” When we confess our faults, we act with compassion. We become kind to ourselves and others.

In sum, today’s SFZ demonstrates that true morality comes from love and compassion. We do not sin because we are evil. We sin when we forget how to love. Fromm, Jung, and Schopenhauer agree: self-examination and compassion heal us. They return us to love.

If you do not look at your mistakes, can you truly love yourself?


SFZ Quotes in Spanish:

Pecar solo significa que no hemos estado amando.

“Ahora reflexionemos sobre la necesidad de una lista de los defectos de personalidad más evidentes que todos tenemos en diversos grados.” “Algunos se molestarán mucho si se habla de inmoralidad, y mucho menos de pecado.” (12 & 12, p. 48)

“Si la palabra ‘moral’ nos molesta… hablar con nuestro padrino sobre nuestras reservas puede aliviar nuestra incomodidad. Un inventario moral no significa que nos condenaremos. En realidad, el proceso de inventario es una de las cosas más amorosas que podemos hacer por nosotros mismos.” (It Works, How & Why, p. 28)

“La compasión es la base de toda moralidad.”
Arthur Schopenhauer (1788 – 1860) Filósofo alemán


Análisis en español:

Estas citas exploran cómo vemos el pecado, la moralidad y la compasión. La primera dice que pecar solo significa que no hemos amado. Esto refleja la idea de Erich Fromm en El arte de amar. Él afirma que amar es un arte que debemos practicar. Si no amamos, actuamos con egoísmo. Nos dañamos a nosotros mismos y a otros.

El Doce Pasos y Doce Tradiciones nos recuerda mirar honestamente nuestros defectos. Carl Jung creyó que todos tenemos sombras. En El hombre moderno en busca de un alma, nos anima a ver nuestras partes ocultas. Debemos aceptar nuestros rasgos oscuros. La cita advierte que evitamos enfrentar la “inmoralidad” o el “pecado.” Esta evasión profundiza nuestra desconexión.

El pasaje de It Works: How & Why ofrece una solución. Dice que un inventario moral no nos avergüenza. Nos ayuda a amarnos. Esto se une a las palabras de Schopenhauer: “La compasión es la base de toda moralidad.” Al confesar nuestras faltas, actuamos con compasión. Nos volvemos amables con nosotros mismos y con otros.

Juntas, estas citas muestran que la verdadera moralidad nace del amor y la compasión. No pecamos porque seamos malos. Pecamos cuando olvidamos amar. Fromm, Jung y Schopenhauer coinciden: el autoexamen y la compasión nos sanan. Nos devuelven al amor.

Si no miras tus errores, ¿puedes amarte de verdad?

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Comments

7 responses to “And Now … The Down and Dirty “Sins” that aren’t as “Bad” as you Think – Step 4”

  1. E-Dawg Avatar
    E-Dawg

    Learning from my mistakes absolutely helps me love myself better. When I free myself from the old useless patterns I start to feel good about myself and the things that I am doing and by simply putting it on paper and seeing it for what it really was is the way to release it once and for all so I can live a better day today… I had such a hard time with all of this before I believed in God. I just couldn’t do it… I didn’t know how to turn it over to anything. And then somebody told me to go into a room all alone where nobody could hear me and ask God to reveal himself to me which I thought was the silliest thing I’ve ever heard …until I did it… and found God!

  2. Sabrina J Avatar
    Sabrina J

    Great question. As a part of a program that is based on rigorous honesty, that honesty for me includes self evaluation. Examining my behaviors, motivations behind them and honestly seeking their core, allows me to love myself and know where there are areas for self improvement. Progress not perfection, self kindness and evaluation with a north star of doing better.

    Thank you for sharing recovery with me. Grateful.

  3. Simon Yebio Avatar
    Simon Yebio

    I’ve found the most effective way to show love is by compassion and tolerance of people all the time. This is an olive branch that brings people closer to me, because they feel they are not being judged

  4. Br. Buddha Avatar
    Br. Buddha

    Good morning everyone + happy Saturday. Here is today’s thought. Try to trust God in your life, even when you find yourself in darkness. God does have a plan for each of us. Live faithfully. Give your best + leave the results to God. Blessings. BB

  5. Adam Avatar
    Adam

    For me, if I’m not harming myself or someone else, then it really isn’t immoral. I have to be careful that there isn’t a hidden harm that I’m not aware of. So I tread carefully in terms of sexual, emotional, and spiritual issues because they can be wrought with hidden land mines. I have to be careful my self-will isn’t running amok. So if in doubt, I travel the well worn path where I know it is safe. If my actions and intention are not coming from compassion, then they are immediately suspect.

  6. Margot E. Avatar
    Margot E.

    I love hearing that compassion is the basis of all morality. My moral judgments are usually aimed at someone other than myself. Yet I know I have neither power nor the illusion of control over anyone but myself. I also know my morals began being constructed before I was five years old. As I learn better, I do better. I also know I cannot change/correct anything about myself without the help of my Higher Power. Great thing Steps 1-2-3 assured me of the unconditional love of my HP.

  7. Ms. H. Avatar
    Ms. H.

    I can be a little bit more patient.

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