The Spirit of You: Your Inner Child
The Spirit of You: Your Inner Child
When was the last time you looked at the world through the lens of a child’s eyes? Eyes full of wonder at life’s simple mysteries, present in each moment, captivated with curiosity, and in awe of the magic that is all around. Children are little walking light beams of love, in a constant state of bewilderment of the simplicities of life.
What happens to that natural state of bewilderment as we grow older?
Life happens. Constructs happen. We get told yes. We get told no. We quietly observe. We get told to be quiet.
On the subconscious level, we constantly pick up messages from the people and environments around us. These messages have an impact on how we perceive, interpret, and present ourselves in the world, creating an instruction manual for how we interact with daily life. Most people aren't aware this instruction manual exists, as it operates from deep within the subconscious mind, impacting the way we show up with the world, with others, and with ourselves.
Within the subconscious mind lives the spirit of your Inner Child. Your Inner Child has been absorbing information like a sponge from the people and circumstances of your environment long before you were able to fully process what was going on (mentally and emotionally). Your inner child holds emotions, memories and beliefs from the past as well as hopes and dreams for the future.
Much of our fear programming and limiting beliefs were perceived and installed from our early years of life. It is up to you to identify these fears, determine where these fears and conditionings come from, and rewrite your narrative. Writing this article, I am noticing certain doubts present: ‘Is this good enough?’ ‘Will people find it interesting?’ ‘Am I sharing too much?’ ‘Does this make sense?’ And so forth…
In my case, I understand this fear of perceived ‘failure’ to ultimately be a fear of rejection and not being loved if I don’t succeed. Knowing this, I can begin to reparent my Inner Child and choose to write a new story.
I might start a conversation with my Inner Child acknowledging these fears;
“Hello my dear Amira. I hear you. I feel you. It is okay for you to have these thoughts and fears. Maybe they served a purpose at one point, though they do not serve us anymore. There is no need to fear or doubt yourself. I love you, and I am here for you.”
Your Inner Child wants to feel safe, so how can you create a nurturing space of safety within?
I may then proceed to give myself a big hug. It’s amazing what physically hugging ourselves and sending ourselves our own warmth, love, and care can do for the soul. Anyone who has taken a yoga class with me knows I enjoy finding ways to give the self a hug and send a bit of our own lovin’ to ourselves. We often share our love with others. Don't we deserve to give ourselves the same loving care and attention?
Inner Child work doesn’t have to be all looming doom and gloom, digging up fears and parts of yourself that you have wished to ignore or even forget. It can be fun, exciting, adventurous, and playful. It’s looking at the world with fresh eyes and an open heart. It’s letting go of your past narrative, and inviting in more love, curiosity, and wonder, rediscovering the world around you.
Learning to work with your inner child is about reconnecting with the sincere, childlike part inside. It’s learning to love ALL parts of yourself fully and wholeheartedly. Fully loving, accepting, and appreciating the parts of you that have been hurt. Loving, accepting, and appreciating the parts of you that have hurt others. Loving all the parts of you you can’t really remember, and even the parts of you you wish to forget, as each emotion, feeling, and story has made you into the beautiful being you are today.
When you love yourself completely, life loves you back, and you begin to discover the essence of who you are. You discover the YOU that you are meant to share with the world, and you find joy in connecting to your curiosity and innocence, living in a state of perpetual astonishment.
So in what other ways can you nurture your childlike spirit and bring joy to your Inner Child?
Maybe this looks like enjoying your favorite ice cream cone, coloring with crayons, blowing bubbles, or just watching the clouds pass by in the sky, making stories out of the shapes you see. Maybe you listen to some of your favorite music as a kid or teen or look through the old picture book your caregiver used to read you to drift you to dreamland. The next time you go to the beach, you might like to dance with the waves and make castles in the sand, enjoying the simple sensorial pleasures of nature’s gifts, in the same way a child experiences these sensations for the first time.
Whatever is going to make your heart sing and dance (maybe you sing and dance!) you do! Connect to the childlike essence that resides within. The part of you that likes to play and get curious. Connect with nature, connect with your joy, and most importantly, connect with your heart. Fully allow yourself to be yourself. Enjoy every moment of who you are, appreciate all who you’ve been, and get excited for who you are growing to be. Give gratitude and thanks to all parts of yourself, for showing up as your magnificent self in every single moment of every single day. The world doesn’t need more of anyone else. The world needs YOU in all your authenticity.
Discover yourself, and let your Inner Child out to play!
About the Author
Amira (500 E-RYT) is a dedicated and passionate yogini, teacher, healer, and coach, who’s yoga journey began over ten years ago in Southern California, where she found yoga to quiet the chaos of life and be her pathway to freedom. Since then, she has taught yoga in various capacities, including as a trainer for 200 YTTs, in private one-on-ones and healing sessions, as well as a children’s yoga instructor for high profile families in West Hollywood, CA.
Amira has inner child healing sessions available https://www.radiantlyalive.com/inner-child-awakening. She also has classes in our online studio or you can follow her on Instagram @amiraveda_ for access to her healing workshops, online Kriya classes and the opportunity to join her programs. If you'd like to speak directly, you can email her here.
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