Thinking about the past
Pointless question that leaves many people in the past: "What would be happening now if it were any different in the past?" Let me tell you a short story which should help you become aware what are we actually doing ourselves.
One early evening, two monks were returning to their monastery. It was raining and the path was full of muddy puddles. In one place, a beautiful young girl was standing and couldn't get to the other side of the road because of the puddles. Older monk approaches her, and carries her to the other side of the road and continues his path to monastery.
Later that evening, younger monk approaches the older one and says: "Sir, as monks, we are not allowed to touch women?" Older monks answers: "Yes, that's right brother." Younger monk asks again: "But, sir, how were you able to pick up that women on the road?" Older monk smiles and says: "I left her on the other side of the road, and you are still carrying her with you."
This story explains remarkably how we spend hours, days and months trapped in history. Acting in a certain manner and after a while saying that we should've acted differently, asking ourselves why we didn't and repeating the question endlessly. That is happening when we ask our selves "What would be happening now if..." and I hope you understand that it is a waste of time.
Realize that now you have the experience of the past event, and that in the given moment in the past you reacted the best you could. Thinking about what should've been done and how you should've acted, you are looking from the perspective now to then. It makes no sense. Then you were different from the person you are now. Experience from then converted you to the person you are now.
It has passed, let it go. Past events don't exist no more. If you consider that you should've done something differently, then do something differently in this moment!
But remember: "It is more important to be at peace than being right."
Your ego wants to be right. Your soul wants to be at peace.
"What would be happening now if it were any different in the past?" is a question for wasting time. Become aware that you then did the best you knew.
Focus on now because your life is here.
Thank you for reading.
Wise and true.
Great piece, thank you! Upvoted and resteemed!
Loved the part "in the given moment in the past you reacted the best you could". Absolutely true.
Actually the past is not real. It only exists in our memory. Life is like a blackboard which gets cleaned up every morning to leave space for new experiences... Good luck and steem on! :-)
"Focus on now because your life is here."
Thank you for posting @eneismijmich.
A timeless topic. If one may express the thoughts that this well written essay has brought to mind.
Perhaps this concentration on the past, could even come under preoccupation with self as part of the arrogance skills. If so we could say that since arrogance is subjective and humility is objective, we would seek objectivity regarding ourselves and our past.
The illustration of the two monks was perfect.
Thank you for the opportunity to ponder these things and express thought.
Thank you for your support and inspiring words.
I'm glad that you're fond of the image.
Have a nice day!
Thank's for the story :) Really good lesson!!
Thank you. @eneismijmich
for sharing your experience and I was very pleased to read '
thanks also to you who have been willing to take the time
Ruminating brings judgement and circular thinking and anxiety Great reminder from this proverb with the monks -"I left her on the other side of the road, and you are still carrying her with you." Thanks.