Freedom From Past – Letting Go to Live Fully Today

I once read a story in a book by J. Krishnamurti that perfectly captures this.

Two monks were walking through a forest when they came across a woman standing by a riverbank. She was afraid to cross the river alone. One monk offered, “Let us carry you across.” She agreed, and they carried her safely to the other side. Grateful, she invited them to her nearby hut, offered them food and water, and wished them well. Hours later, as the two monks continued their journey, one of them said, “I think we have sinned… We touched a woman.” He confessed that he kept thinking about the touch, her presence, and felt guilty. The other monk replied, “Brother, I set that woman down hours ago. Why are you still carrying her?”

This is how most of us live which is very natural and subconscious – still carrying what happened hours, months, or even years ago. A rude remark from a colleague, a failed relationship, a mistake at work, or a rejection from long ago can keep replaying in our minds. Of course these are not pleasant experiences but yet they engrave more stronger marks than the happy ones. 

We might think, “I have moved on or I do not think of my past experiences.” But our decisions and choices of behaviour often tell another story.

For example, years ago, you might have asked your boss for urgent leave, and he snapped at you before your team or colleagues. That sour memory stayed with you. Now, in a new job, with a different boss, you face the same situation. But instead of asking openly, you lie, still reacting to an old hurtful memory, not the present reality that may be this boss will appreciate my integrity and consider my urgency. 

When we allow the past to dictate our choices, we shrink our world, confining ourselves to a life of limitation and scarcity. True freedom from the past means meeting life as it unfolds right now, seeing it with fresh eyes, free from yesterday’s shadows. It’s about stepping into a space of abundance, where possibilities and opportunities are endless. Yes, our past experiences may still whisper in the background, but we can choose to live at our full potential, without the heavy weight of judgments or assumptions. And here’s the tricky part – sometimes, we even lie to ourselves by saying, “I never judge” or “I never assume.” Do we? The first step toward self-growth and well-being is honest self-acceptance; not for anyone else’s approval, but for our own liberation. 

We often think fear is only about the future, fear of failure, rejection, loss. But much of what we fear comes from the burden of our past experiences. The past can be like a heavy bag we drag everywhere, filled with old mistakes, regrets, and the conditioning we grew up with.

As children, we absorbed lessons; how to behave, what to believe, whom to judge, what to assume, and even what to fear. Many of the fears we carry today can be traced back to what we were told by our parents or grandparents. Without realizing it, we often inherit their fears as our own, closing ourselves off from possibilities we have never truly explored. Some of that conditioning was helpful; it shaped us and gave us values. But some of it became invisible strings, pulling us toward things we no longer want, or holding us back from trying something new. Which raises a question – are the values we carry today truly our own, or simply echoes of the past? 

This actually reminds me of a coaching exercise I once did with a friend during a training program. We had to coach each other, and our chosen topic was finances. When it was my turn to coach, I asked him about his financial goal. He gave me a specific annual income figure. Curious, I asked why that exact number. He explained that his father often said this amount was “enough to live a satisfying life” and that “too much money only makes you greedy.” At that moment, it struck me – his financial goal wasn’t entirely his own. It was shaped by a belief passed down from his childhood. But lifestyles and living costs today are very different from decades ago. Shouldn’t the numbers – and perhaps the mindset – evolve too? The truth is, if our mind cannot accept a new reality, it will never become our reality. 

The beauty is – we have a choice now. We’ve outgrown parts of who we used to be. We have new experiences everyday if we are aware, and we can decide which beliefs, fears, and habits we still want to carry and which we can finally set down. Because the whole idea of freedom is not about doing “whatever we want.” It’s about removing the strings that hold us back, so we can live to our highest potential – curious, open, and unafraid.

Letting go isn’t a one-time act – it’s a daily practice. By making it a habit, you create space to meet each day with clarity and openness. Here is a simple mindfulness ritual you can use to release yesterday and step into today renewed. Spend just 2–3 minutes each morning or anytime during the day, breathing slowly and repeating these affirmations to let go of the past and be fully present to your true potential:

I am free from the weight of yesterday; today is my new beginning.

The past has shaped me, but it does not define me.

I let go of old stories and open my heart to new possibilities.

Every breath is a fresh start.

I am grateful for my past, grounded in my present, and have faith in my future.

When old thoughts resurface, you may feel a sudden heaviness, a dip in mood, or an uneasy restlessness. In that moment, just pause and exhale.

Sit quietly – Find a peaceful spot, close your eyes, and take a slow, deep breath through your nose.

Acknowledge the past – Gently say to yourself, “Yes, it happened. I have learned. I let it go.”

Let emotions flow – Don’t resist them. Whatever arises – sadness, anger, or grief – accept it with compassion. Allow it to pass through, and care for yourself tenderly.

Accept and Adapt – You cannot change the past, but you can choose your response in this moment. Say, “Thank you for this experience; I’ve learned my lesson.” If it feels too painful, say, “I don’t know why this happened, but I trust the Universe/God. Everything happens for my highest good.”

With time, you will feel your mind grow lighter, your choices more open, and your life more aligned with your highest potential. Because true freedom isn’t about erasing the past – it’s about remembering without the chains. The past is a place of reference, not a place of residence.