We all carry within us a piece of childhood – a playful, curious, and sometimes wounded younger self. This “inner child” isn’t just a metaphor; it’s a very real aspect of our emotional landscape. Often, in the pursuit of strength and maturity, we neglect this vulnerable part. In our quest for “adulting,” we push down uncomfortable emotions, suppress our creativity, and silence the whispers of our deepest desires. But here’s the thing: a neglected inner child doesn’t disappear. It festers, becoming a source of self-doubt, negativity, and emotional baggage.
Tara Brach, psychologist and meditation teacher, offers some insight into meeting our inner experiences with open arms instead of resistance. She beautifully articulates how denying our inner children the care that they are yearning for, only traps us in a deep sense of unworthiness that we struggle to escape from.
“Clearly recognizing what is happening inside us, and regarding what we see with an open, kind and loving heart, is what I call Radical Acceptance. If we are holding back from any part of our experience, if our heart shuts out any part of who we are and what we feel, we are fueling the fears and feelings of separation that sustain the trance of unworthiness. Radical Acceptance directly dismantles the very foundations of this trance.” – Tara Brach
“You can think of spiritual practice as a kind of spiritual re-parenting … You’re offering yourself the two qualities that make up good parenting: understanding – seeing yourself for who you truly are – and relating to what you see with unconditional love.” – Tara Brach
“The most powerful healing arises from the simple intention to love the life within you, unconditionally, with as much tenderness and presence as possible.” – Tara Brach
We all have an inner child (or a whole day care centre) who we might have been neglecting in an attempt to appear ‘strong’. Your inner child can be liberated and experience a sense of worthiness, through your unconditional love and acceptance. Or, if you keep neglecting the small voice within that is asking to be held, it can become the ball and chain that forever drags you down.
Today’s meditation is an opportunity to invite your own inner-children for a conversation. The most beautiful healing arises when you become able to listen, and simply love the life that’s in you.
A few thoughts to guide some self-reflection:
- Notice: “What am I feeling right now, in my body and mind?”
- Allow: “It’s okay to feel this way. These emotions are a natural part of being human.”
- Befriend: “How can I offer myself kindness and understanding in this moment?”
By incorporating these practices into your daily life you are offering acceptance to yourself for being human, and you begin to dismantle the trance of unworthiness. The journey towards self-compassion is a marathon, not a sprint. Be patient with yourself, and celebrate every step you take towards a more loving and accepting relationship with yourself.
Have a beautiful day!
– pierre –
Today’s LIVE meditation is: A sense of SELF.
(image credit: Love, by Alexander Milov, wire frames and LED lights, Made in 2015 for the Burning Man Festival, Nevada, USA, © Alexander Milov)