Healing The Child Within

In each of us, there is a young, suffering child. The cry we hear far too often from deep in our hearts comes from the voice of that wounded child. Healing the pain of the child within will allow us to transform negative emotions into running away from the wounded child who is always there, always trying to get our attention. To protect and defend ourselves against future suffering, we often try to suppress thoughts that lead us down a dark and rocky road to those painful times. 

But, because we aren’t even aware that the child exists, it doesn’t mean he or she isn’t there. The wounded child is always there, sometimes desperately trying to get our attention. Every time we’re in touch with the experience of suffering, we believe we can’t possibly bear it, and that’s when, as a child, we stuff our feelings and memories deep down in our subconscious mind. It may be that we haven’t dared to face this child for many decades. Unknowingly we want to end our suffering by sending the child to a deep place inside and staying as far away as possible. But running away doesn’t end our suffering; it only prolongs it.

The wounded child asks for care and love, but unintentially, we run away from it because we’re afraid of the dark block of pain and sorrow in us that at times feels overwhelming. Even if we have time, we don’t come home to ourselves. We try relentlessly to stay entertained — watching television or movies of mass distraction, socializing with the wrong kind of people, or using drugs or alcohol to numb the experience of that suffering all over again. 

Learn to listen;

When we speak of listening with understanding and compassion, we usually think of listening to someone else. But we must also listen to the child within, who more often than not, needs all of our attention while emerging from the depths of our consciousness to ask for our our help. In those precious moments, instead of paying attention to what is in front of you, go back and tenderly embrace the child and talk directly to yoursef with the language of the child you once were. 

If you practice reaching out to the child, listen carefully for five or ten minutes every day, and in a short time, you will experience healing taking place. When you climb this beautiful mountain, invite your child to climb with you as you set your sights on the top. When you contemplate the sunset, invite him or her to enjoy it with you. If you do only that, within a few weeks or months, you, as well as the child will experience healing together coming closer than ever to becoming one. 

With continued practice, we will become aware that our wounded child is not only us but that from which we came which may represent several generations. Our mother and father may have suffered throughout their lives, unequipped to identify the wounded child in themselves. So when you’re embracing your wounded child, you’re embracing all the wounded children of our past generations. It’s a practice not for ourselves alone, but for numberless generations of ancestors and descendants yet to come. 

“Memories are like tiny time capsules that can whisk us away to discover lost islands of childhood exploration.”

“Seek the child that will comfort you with footsteps of love and connection along your path of self-discovery.”