Starting Spiritual Practice
How can I face guilt about a lie told long ago?
English translation draft · Based on the Chinese article. This is not a word-for-word translation approved by Master Shengyuan.
First acknowledge it and consider change now. Continued self-blame cannot redo the past. Sincere repentance recognizes what was wrong and changes future choices, rather than pretending nothing happened.
A practitioner described childhood lies still painful many years later. Through learning, repentance, and apology toward the earlier self and those wronged, it gradually felt like setting down stones. That was personal experience, not everyone's timetable.
Repentance's strength shows a new beginning remains possible. In our faith understanding, guilt weighs on the heart, while admitting mistakes and resolving change can turn toward positivity. Removing guilt while continuing the same lies misses the point.