The child we were
once continues to live inside us influencing every thought, every emotion,
every movement and every action. Many of us in adult bodies still react like
children, still attached to parents, never having broken free from the
attitudes and beliefs acquired in youth. This inner child is part of our
personality which is playful and spontaneous, having fun and craving to be
cared and understood.
“The
child is in me still and sometimes not so still.”
~
Fred Rogers
Like a real child,
the inner child is starved of love, warmth and understanding, is easily hurt
and may become depressed and withdrawn. Psychologists say that the inner child
is a permanent fixture and those who become hurt easily or depressed on an
innocent remark are still preserving that inner child demonstrating the traits
through their behaviour. Jiddu Krishnamurthy during one of his sermons narrated
the story of two monks, one old and the other young. They reached a river bank
at sunset and saw a young woman sitting helpless as the last boat had already
left. She was frightened too because of the surrounding forest area where wild
animals roamed about and came to the river to drink water. Realising her
predicament, the elder monk volunteered to carry her across the river, the
water being shallow.
After reaching the
opposite bank, the Monk put her down and the two monks renewed their
conversation while proceeding to the monastery. After a while, the young Monk
told the older One: “You should not have carried that woman across the river as
you have violated the rules of celibacy.” The elder Monk replied: “I put her
down an hour ago but you are still carrying her in your thoughts.”
We know that the past
is dead but we carry it in our thoughts. Man can change only if the past is
detached, forgotten or erased. There are some people who recall and relive
their past days, expand the sorrow and make themselves miserable. I feel we
can’t have a better tomorrow if we are thinking about yesterday all the time.
There are some who breakaway from the routine and do something innovative and
new, which is the inner child playing games with new ideas.
To enjoy a better
life we must try to focus on our potential, not our limitations and concentrate
on what we do well. We must exploit our natural abilities and aptitudes.
“Everything
seemed possible, when I looked through the eyes of a child.
And every once in a while; I remember,
I still have the chance to be that wild.”
And every once in a while; I remember,
I still have the chance to be that wild.”
~Nikki Rowe
Hence, to be ourselves
in a world trying to make us like everyone else we must liberate
ourselves from any form of control. Let us focus at the inner drum, where the
rhythm aligns with that of our heart. Just listen, the inner child, let it
whisper in our ear and guide us through.
*Anamika Sen (Ani)*
