Releasing Guilt and Regret

Over lifetimes we have gradually drained our spiritual resources and have not had the strength to do what we know is right.

- DR. MANOJ MATNANI

However, these wrong actions and mistakes weigh heavily on the soul, filling us with regret and feelings of guilt. Psychology may hold many answers and help at certain levels, but as the issue is spiritual rather than psychological (although that does play a part), spiritual solutions are the best way to release the regret and guilt that interfere with living a life of happiness and peace.

Regret, as defined by psychologists, is ". . . the feeling of sadness or disappointment over something that has happened in the past, often because of a decision that led to an undesirable outcome. It is the feeling of wishing one had acted differently in the past, often accompanied by a sense of longing for a different outcome."

On the other hand, guilt is ". . . a feeling of responsibility or remorse (deep grief) for something that was done wrong, or for a failure to act when we should have."

In the aftermath of the Covid pandemic, many found that they were suffering from feelings of guilt or regret. These feelings were generated by the loss of someone dear, who they were unable to be with, unable to visit, unable to hold a funeral ceremony for. This was an unprecedented situation, but any mistakes we make in our lives result in feelings of regret or guilt.