Does The Past Really Matter

[governor]

hi everyone,I am having an issue in my meditation practice and am interested in what some opinions might be on the subject of repressed memories.I'm trying to make this short and there really is a question at the end...;) I've been working on self development stuff for a few years,I prefer a more targeted style meditation but also do more passive style meditation as well-more so lately as I have worked thru ptsd and things.I usually don't work with a therapist but I am right now just to work out a specific issue.she thought we might want to hold off on a specific type of therapy because of repressed memories-she said we might not want to "stir up a bunch of old memories when I seem to have found some stability with my past".It's not that I can't remember these things,it's just that I don't remember-more like I choose not to remember.I simply choose to move forward and have no desire to re visit the past. so my question is this...is it really necessary to drag up the past if you've found a way to be ok with it and move on -or- are we not able to truly move on until we drag up the past and really work out every problem?

[vizual]

The past can be helpful to become mindful of the issues that are still dragging on in our present reality, but it isn't necessary. It can illuminate things to see how the past obscured your view of reality today. But the past is not really real, it's only a projection in the mind. But if these images in the past still upset you in the way that you still feel intense pain when they come up, there is still work to be done.

So in short, do you need to dig up the past to work on your problems? No. Is there work to be done if you are trying to repress events in the past? Yes.

[Zane]

I discovered that the past, present, and future are neutral and can be both the best of times and the worst of times. I made many mistakes in the past but I refuse to bog myself down with regrets like squandered opportunities, and mistakes and worries, being bitter and angry, dwelling on pain, and being stressed out. Instead of focusing on all the hardships and pain in life, I write out the moments of happiness whether it be a moment or a day or longer of being consistently happy. I notice that my past has many golden nostalgic memories, I focus on enjoying the present moment and I'm excited for the future. 

[abrakamowse]

It doesn't matter

[governor]

Thanks for the thoughts

 

[JevinR]

The past is just a conceptualization in the mind

Some NLP work can help