Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj said that suffering comes from clinging to the past or resisting change, and I’ve definitely found this to be true in my own life.
Pain is physical; suffering is mental. Beyond the mind there is no suffering. Pain is essential for the survival of the body, but none compels you to suffer. Suffering is due entirely to clinging or resisting; it is a sign of our unwillingness to move on, to flow with life
—Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj
I’ve noticed that I have a tendency to hold onto pain and I tend to struggle with moving on from things that have hurt me, unable to let go and find peace. This can make it really hard to flow with life and embrace new opportunities because I’m too busy hanging onto old hurts.
Traveling to India over the years has helped me see that in Hinduism, the concepts of karma and fatalism offer profound insights into how we approach life’s challenges. The belief in karma teaches us that our actions have consequences, encouraging us to let go of past grievances and focus on positive actions in the present.
Fatalism, on the other hand, suggests that some aspects of our lives are predestined, helping us to accept what we cannot change and to find peace in our own flow of life. It’s comforting to think about these teachings because we can learn to release our struggles, trust in the process of life, and focus on living harmoniously with the present moment.
Recognising Resistance to Change
I have come to realise that my challenges with forgetting and moving on are signs of my own unwillingness to fully embrace change. Whenever I resist the natural flow of life, it only adds to my struggle. I find it difficult to let go of past grievances, which makes it harder to heal and find happiness.
This resistance to change and my struggle to move on are interconnected, and without a lot of effort I sometimes feel they can keep me from experiencing the freedom and joy that comes from living in the present… a constant battle.
Strategies for Embracing the Present
It’s not easy, believe me… I know, but recognising this is the first step toward making positive changes. Another important step is to surround yourself with positive people who uplift and support you. Find joy in small things, like a beautiful sunset or a warm cup of coffee, this can make a difference.
Embrace the excitement of learning new things and let go of past regrets and future worries. Ground yourself by spending time outdoors, perhaps gardening, enjoying nature, and focus on living in the present moment.
By believing in yourself and your ability to navigate life independently, you can let your worries melt away and create a more peaceful and fulfilling life.
It won’t happen overnight, but with patience and effort, we hope to become better at moving forward to ultimately find peace.
Sharing Experiences
I’d love to hear from you! Have you experienced similar struggles with letting go and embracing change? How have positive people, small joys, travelling, perhaps a spiritual or religious belief, and living in the present made a difference in your life? What other strategies have helped?
Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below—let’s support each other on this journey to finding inner peace, fulfillment and happiness.
Wishing you sunny days ahead! – ♡ Janet
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