Connecting with our Inner Child is a pathway to self
ARTWORK BY MY DAUGHTER LOUISE MCKNOULTY
You may think beginning to work with your Inner Child is a little unusual, even daunting. I know I did when I was first encouraged to connect but as I continue the practice I now know it to be freeing, enlightening and satisfying. It helps us find our real selves, what makes us tick and that is a pathway to finding our purpose in life. It is only when we are really our true selves and living a life that reflects it that we set ourselves free and find contentment and fulfilment.
Your inner child is that part of you that has always existed, it has experienced all of you, the fun times and the challenging times. She knows your innermost secrets and is a gateway to really knowing yourself. This connection is about re-visiting experiences that made you who you are today but it is not about recriminations and blame but rather breaking down barriers that we may have locked away as painful memories. It is about accepting those things that happened for whatever reason, for no matter how slight or severe, they shape how we react and ultimately live our lives. From there we can accept ourselves with all our blemishes. There is no need for perfection, we are who we are and we can begin to heal and move forward on our life journey if we accept ourselves as we truly are.
If we pay attention, what makes us happy and satisfied can be a very real gatepost to why we are here, our true purpose. Living the life of our true purpose brings much contentment and satisfaction because it is a true reflection of our real selves.
How do you get to know your inner child?
1. Firstly you need to recognise her existence and that she is a valid part of your psyche. To find the authentic self, hidden away underneath, try accessing your inner child regularly. to help you really know your true self. (delete)
2. To connect, you need to make space in your life for quiet reflection time. It needs to be a priority, if you want something badly enough you will find the time, energy and commitment to do it regularly. This is why meditation is so powerful – it offers techniques that allow us to sink further into ourselves and let the inner child arise and be heard amongst all the activity.
3. You can ask your inner child questions as you would of anyone. Questions as simple as, ‘How do you feel Inner Child?’ is a starting point. I like to write about it, the questions and answers make me feel really connected but verbalising is another technique others use. There are no rules but be prepared to nurture your inner child and show love as the point is to allow healing of past issues that are deeply held and acceptance and non-judgement is the way forward.
4. You might like to look at pictures of yourself as a child and hold that image close within you always, as you connect.
Picture of me at age 8 or 9
I love the idea that children’s connection with their inner child can be a path to freedom and contentment and non-judgement. It can begin with the recognition that children deserve to be children, to play and direct their own free time rather than always trying to be little adults who undertake everything in their lives as a step towards achieving a goal. Experiencing their real self is possible when time for themselves is given. They then can begin to know what it is that brings them satisfaction and joy. This is a right of childhood that is sometimes lost in the whirl of modern living. The more we know ourselves and what makes us feel whole, the easier it is to determine our purpose for being here and that knowledge can begin as early as it is fostered. Let that special part of us, our Inner Child help us on that journey no matter what our age.
