From The Author
Having a conscience is a good thing. We need to respect other people and the world around us. But carrying around guilt about something we may have already done is like trying to have a conscience after the fact — it doesn't work.
Feeling guilty can be our way of trying to punish ourselves for our mistakes. It's a patten from early childhood that reasons if we're punishing ourselves, other people (like our parents) won't need to punish us. "See, I already feel bad. Don't hit me." If you're a child with abusive parents, that actually might be a good survival strategy. But carried into adulthood it's just silly.
And contrary to what we may tell ourselves, feeling guilty doesn't help to keep us from making further mistakes. All it does is make us miserable.
If you've done something you're not proud of, and you can make amends, by all means, go ahead and do what you can. But either way, give yourself a break and let go of the guilt. It's not helping you or anyone else. The past is past, so turn it over to life, the Universe, your Higher Power, or God. Let it go and move on. This guided meditation can help you do that.
Max Highstein