When do you use "this is because" in the present tense versus "this was because" in the past tense?

Question

I found this from a blog where the writer used this is because:

Through the experience of the DSCE, I felt like my life goal had finally been achieved, but when I desperately pleaded with God to let me back into that state, I soon realized it was almost impossible to achieve on my own. This is because I had only become partially self-realized.

Shouldn't the author have used this was because because they were
referring a past event? If not, can someone please explain the rule
regarding when to use this is because versus when to use this was because?

Docholl1 · Answer

In your example, the introductory phrasethis is will be confusing for most readers because the preceding sentence is (1) quite long and, more important, (2) this is could refer to either the fact that God will not let you "back into that state" or that you are only "partially self-realized."

For clarity, the sentence would be clearer if the writer did away with this is and simply ended the sentence with "because I had only become partially self-realized."  In addition, the sentence would be better if the writer avoided the ambiguous it in the second independent clause and used enlightenment or a similar word instead.

When do you use "this is because" in the present tense versus "this was because" in the past tense?

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