---
title: "How can I truly let go of the past?"
type: "question"
group: "Human Questions"
thought: "Zai-Sheng Thought"
language: "en"
canonical: "https://tongzai.space/en/questions/letting-go-of-the-past/"
---
# How can I truly let go of the past?

## Direct answer

Sheng does not understand "letting go" as deleting memory. The past has happened; it has already become part of this one square of yours. What really traps a person is often continuing to nail a certain square that the past manifested into "this is forever what I am." Letting go is not proving that the past does not matter; it is no longer demanding that today and tomorrow forever repeat that one square.

## Further explanation

You can acknowledge that the hurts, mistakes, glories, and relationships all really happened, while also seeing that becoming did not stop there. Memory can remain; your identity does not have to be sealed shut by it.

## Core concepts

- Becoming Everywhere
- Born New
- not nailing any one square down

## Primary sources

Sheng, Chapter 7, §2 Becoming Everywhere; Chapter 4, §2 Born New

## Conclusions that must not be drawn

Do not use "it's all in the past" to deny trauma, responsibility, or real-world consequences.

## Citation

Wenzi｜Zai / Sheng｜chapter/section｜Tongzai Space｜canonical URL