How to Stop Living in the Past?
Written by Dada Bhagwan
Instead of living in the present, we live for the most part in our minds, cluttered with thoughts. These thoughts are related to our memories from the past. These memories are pleasant or unpleasant depending on whether we have an attachment or a hatred towards the subject. For example, instead of enjoying the holiday you have been looking forward to, you spend most of your time thinking about your work, while on holiday. You cannot fully relax and appreciate the environment around you because your mind keeps returning to the work you have escaped from — as you have an abhorrence towards it. Or it goes back to remembering your relatives for whom you have an attachment.
It is these memories that prevent us from being spontaneous and stop us from living in the present freely. As a rule, the greater the attachment or abhorrence towards something, the more consumed you will be by the memory of it and hence live in the past. These memories cannot be altered and there is nothing to gain from living in them. What has happened is in the past and the future is not in our control. The only thing you can do is live in the present and enjoy all that is in front of you.
By attaining Self-realization, you start to live in the present and not let the past affect your present. When you experience the bliss of the Soul you will slowly forget the attachment and abhorrence from the past and start enjoying the present.
As one begins to learn how to live in the present, he naturally stops living in the past. Like, if you are traveling somewhere the only way you will reach your destination is to leave your current location. Hence, as the understanding of living in the present develops one starts to experience tension and worry-free life.
Article author
About the Author
Ambalal M. Patel was a civil contractor by profession. In June 1958, spontaneous Self-Realization occurred withi
Ambalal M. Patel. From this point on, Ambalal became a Gnani Purush, and the Lord that manifested within him became known as Dada Bhagwan. A Gnani Purush is One who has realized the Self and is able to help others do the same. Param Pujya Dada Bhagwan used to go from town to town and country-to-country to give satsang (spiritual discourse) and impart the knowledge of the Self, as well as knowledge of harmonious worldly interactions to everyone who came to meet him. This spiritual science, known as Akram Vignan, is the step-less path to Self-realization.
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