| When we talk about the inner child, we’re referring | | | | divine child remembers where s/he came from, and |
| to an image of your child self. This image may be one | | | | never loses the connection. This is an image of our |
| that you access by looking at a photograph of | | | | inner spiritual nature. This reconnection with the divine is |
| yourself as a child, or simply by closing your eyes and | | | | the reward for your inner journey of healing, and can |
| picturing yourself as a child. Let’s look at some of | | | | be seen as a doorway to a deeper and more fulfilling |
| the different aspects of the child within: | | | | connection with your Creator. |
| The inner child of the past. This is an image of yourself | | | | The magical/creative child. This image of the child |
| that matches with a certain time in your own past. This | | | | suggests a wellspring of wonderful energy. From this |
| child can help you find and access memories and | | | | wellspring emerge your humor, spontaneity, creativity, |
| feelings that will help with your healing. S/he may | | | | joy and capacity for unconditional love. This is another |
| appear sad, lonely, lost, afraid or deeply hurt. Your brain | | | | way of looking at the divine child, as these qualities too |
| might sometimes give you an image that is confusing | | | | are the reward for your journey of self-discovery and |
| at first. Whatever picture your mind provides you has | | | | healing. The magical/creative child also provides a |
| valuable information. Trust your mind to provide you | | | | doorway to wisdom and undeveloped powers, |
| with the images of your child self that will inform you | | | | suggesting a connection between the child and the |
| about the inner work you need to do. | | | | wise elder that also lives inside each of us. |
| The inner child of the present. While the inner child of | | | | The playful child. Think of exuberance, light, energy and |
| the past helps you with your healing, the inner child of | | | | unabashed self-expression. This image can be seen |
| the present helps you with your self-care on a current | | | | as the magical child in action, bringing varieties of |
| basis. You won’t get accurate readings about your | | | | physical playfulness into everyday behavior. Since |
| present emotional state from the child image until the | | | | most of you had some opportunity to play as a child, |
| inner child of the past is relatively nourished and healed. | | | | accessing this part of yourself is a matter of |
| The work you have to do with the past child will fade | | | | remembering. For others of you who never had the |
| over time, and the relationship with your inner child of | | | | safety in your home to play, you may have to learn |
| the present will grow stronger, deeper and more | | | | how to play for the first time. Children and animals are |
| enjoyable. Use this present aspect of the child within | | | | your best teachers. Also, some adults may actually be |
| by checking in on a regular basis to see how | | | | able to help you to play! |
| you’re doing emotionally. Just close your eyes and | | | | The integrated child. As you heal, grow, expand and |
| picture yourself as a child. Depending on your inner | | | | develop into the magnificent, brilliant being you were |
| clarity and where you are on your healing journey, this | | | | meant to be, all of the wonderful aspects of the child |
| image will give you a current reading on your state of | | | | become diffuse throughout your mind, body and |
| emotional health. | | | | self-expression. In other words, the wonderful child |
| THE INNER CHILDREN OF YOUR FUTURE | | | | aspects and qualities we are discussing here are |
| Some of the images of your inner child can be a kind | | | | available to you as an adult at any given moment on |
| of bellwether for you, indicating future possibilities for | | | | any given day in any given situation. |
| your development and self-expression. Here are four | | | | Your relationship with your inner child is the key to |
| different images to consider: | | | | learning and maintaining self-love. This is a doorway to |
| The divine child. Carl Jung refers to the divine child as | | | | literally everything you want in life. The more you love |
| one of the archetypes in some of his writings (C. Jung | | | | yourself, the more you will be motivated to care for |
| and C. Kerenyi, 1969). One of the definitions of the | | | | yourself and work diligently to create the life of your |
| word “divine” is simply “from God.” If you | | | | dreams. Your inner child loves to feel good and be |
| believe we come from God, or the Creator of the | | | | happy, so one of the best ways you can care for this |
| Universe, then you can accept this idea. The divine | | | | wonderful part of yourself is to become a Goodfinder! |
| child is radiant, pure, innocent, open and vulnerable. The | | | | |