Article February 17, 1992 Issue

Free from painful memories

The past can't have a hold on our present if we're willing to gain a more spiritual perspective of ourselves

Marian Cates

Many of us, at one time or another, have wakened from a bad dream with a feeling of dread. However distressing this may be, we all know how to handle the problem. We remind ourselves firmly that the dream wasn't and isn't true. And as we focus on our waking experience, we shake off the dream images naturally.

But what if the disturbance, instead of coming from a dream, is part of our past? What if we've been through oppressive circumstances that have left us feeling scarred, embittered, or afraid? How can we free ourselves so that we can go on with our lives joyfully and productively?

Every aspect of our experience is improved by gaining a more spiritual perspective. The more spiritually based our outlook, the deeper and more consistent will be our peace and joy. But this kind of thinking starts from a higher standpoint. To uplift our experience we must start with God, Spirit. We know that God is eternal—lives, acts, creates, knows in the eternal now. And, since God creates man as the reflection of His own being, in His own likeness, man must be eternal, too.

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