First find the cause of the past pains. Examine your own involvement, selfishness, unwarranted expectations and lack of self-sacrifice. Never forget that you alone are the cause of your pains and others are mere reflections of what you really are.

Learning from past mistakes is wisdom. It is not a sin to make mistakes, but it is foolish not to learn from those mistakes. Life is a constant learning, a real learning institute until the last breath. In order to minimize the pains, follow the advice of Gitaji and Miraji. Avoid lust, greed and jealousy. These are the enemies in our path of love. Love is beyond sex, bodies, wealth or other silly achievements. Why not work for love rather than fulfilling the physical passions, which can never be satisfied?

The Lord forgives you, if you learn from your past behavior. Do not go on doing painful things and expect freedom from pain. Forgiveness gives us wisdom not to repeat the evil. As Jesus said to the prostitute, "Dear Sister! Don't do it any more."

The past is dead and the future is uncertain. Always live in the present moment. Don't waste your life brooding over the past and fantasizing about the future. No one is permanently condemned or should be condemned. Everyone can change for the better. This is what life is all about. Look up to the light, love and living, not to darkness, lust and death. We are Eternal Love, Joy and Peace and it is hidden in us. Every day is a new opportunity to change, live and love. So live and learn at every moment.

This is what education and learning should be all about. The rest is all illusion. Pain is our greatest friend, teacher, lover and the greatest gift of God.

-- Swami Radhanandaji