Article published by Perfil on October 4, 2022

Yom Kippur is known in Spanish as “Day of Forgiveness” but a more correct translation is “Day of Atonement”. It is true that it is a day of Divine forgiveness, but no less important is that we atone for our mistakes with an introspection that leads us to generate a change in behavior.

We are human: we cannot live without making mistakes. As the popular saying goes, coined by the English poet Alexander Pope (1688-1744):“To err is human, to forgive divine”. The politician and philosopher Cicero expressed a similar idea but that adds an important nuance: “Anyone errs, but only fools persevere in their error.”

Yom Kippur is known in Spanish as “Day of Forgiveness” but a more correct translation is “Day of Atonement.” It is true that it is a day of Divine forgiveness, but no less important is that we atone for our mistakes with an introspection that leads us to generate a change in behavior. 

Critically reflecting on our actions and ideas to rectify our mistakes is a virtue, but it is not positive to install feelings of guilt because they are counterproductive. Guilt is good when it is a catalytic feeling that makes us reflect but it must be controlled and channeled to finally disintegrate it (“kapara”, “chipur”, from the same root as the word “Kippur”).

It is not about denying our past, or installing crippling guilt, but to use it as a tool to work on our qualities and correct our faults, without anxiety, taking enough time. Sudden and impetuous regrets due to guilt often lead to catastrophic moral relapses.

Divine wisdom conceived a mechanism to disintegrate the guilt that accumulates from our mistakes: forgetfulness. Otherwise, we could not support consciousness. If the disintegration of guilt is done automatically, without a real change, it is failing dramatically in its use. The voice of conscience is silenced to live comfortably.

However, there is another way: take responsibility, with a serious and honest action plan that sustains that call for attention from conscience. The disintegration of guilt only makes sense if it is done based on a plan for positive change.

Let us really listen the voice of our conscience and generate a new reality in our lives. Thus, we will be more noble, happy, just and kind.

Source: www.perfil.com