What is Sin?

When do we sin? Is it when we break the rules? Is it when we misinterpret the semantics of religious leaders? Is it when we do not feel guilty for being happy and satisfied? Or it is when do not have love? Without love we do not take care our minds, bodies and spirits. We do not take care of our brothers and sisters, we do not care for the universe and planets and all the wonders of nature. Without love there is no knowledge. Without knowledge there is no growing and without growing and learning we are wasting a lifetime. Without love there can be no simplicity, humility or non-interference. We sin when we do not take responsibility for our actions and the consequences thereof.

Sin is a thought, action or inaction, which aims to miss the Way. This is the literal meaning of the Greek word h'amartia that is translated in Scripture as 'sin'. Hamartia is an archery term, used to describe the action to shoot an arrow with the purpose of missing the target. If I should throw a rock at my neighbour's windscreen to help him learn the valuable lesson of compassion, hoping he will turn his car stereo down, then I am sinning even though I did hit the target. I purposefully acted in a way contrary to the Way of humility, simplicity and compassion-so I sinned. So what then, if after the neighbour has learned his lesson, I have failed mine...?