Atonement

At One. In agreement. Reconciled. To bring together something that was separate. Harmony rising from dissonance.

Bring the words together to make the verb atone. The meaning is the same. To bring into a state of “at one-ness”. To come into harmony.

Things become separate for many reasons. I aim for one result, but find another. I miss the mark that I was aiming for. There are several Hebrew words that get translated into the single English word “sin”. One of these Hebrew words has exactly this meaning – to miss the mark, as-in an archer missing his mark.

Standing on the bridge between the past and the future, I can look back and see where I missed the mark, and ended up with a different outcome than I aimed for. Where I caused a break or ill feelings in a relationship. Where I sought harmony, and instead created dissonance. I accept responsibility, and seek to “put right” what I can – I atone – I try to bring back the state of “at-one-ness”.

The English language has a way to turn the verb atone into a noun. We simply add “ment” to the end of the verb, and we create the noun. Atonement. The “state” of having brought together that which was separate, having mended what needs mending, having found harmony from dissonance.

The path to the state of atonement requires action on our part. We must choose to put right what we’ve broken. Looking back down the path behind, where do I see separation? Where do I hear dissonance? What actions are required of me to bring together what’s separate, to allow harmony to emerge from dissonance?

Soon I’ll look in front of me down the path to the future, and make decisions about how to move forward. Doing this requires me to understand how and why I missed the mark in the past. Understanding the darkness in yesterday helps me bring light into tomorrow.

Accepting responsibility. Making amends. Asking forgiveness. Accepting the Light that comes with At-One-Ness…