How does an Enlightened person view memories and the past

[Mike 03]

5. So Grateful

Thank you so much. Your answers are overwhelming. Sometimes the posts I make when I'm emotional are not my best posts, so I wanted to think deeply about what you wrote. I'm full of thoughts (not usually a good thing).

There are different ways of remembering.

Sometimes I'm grateful for a memory occurring, sort of like a koan that appears just when you need it the most.

Other times a memory sort of grabs one by the throat, or like being hit by lighting. This is more unpleasant. Then suddenly I'm so solid, with a past, and so much baggage. It feels like taking a step backwards, or I've lost ground in practice and sort of back to square one.

Maybe it's like what ZhouZhou says about time: We can use it or it can use us. Maybe it's the same with memories.

I've also had the strange experience of asking, "Whose memories are these, really? Do they 'belong' to me or do they sort of belong to the universe." Is that crazy?

But I need to really reflect on what you wrote. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!