Healing the Child Within.

I remember once watching the little ones quarreling in our neighborhood. They’re such a tight knit group, always watching over and caring – though, even the best of friendships may suffer the occasional strain.

And, this particular morning was by no means an exception. As one by one, their voices grew until the youngest finally scampered off in tears. Why were they fighting? We may never know ~ though, the pain itself was clear.

It’s a natural inclination to move away from pain. Even in the case of children quarreling, our knee-jerk reaction often overrides what we wish to be true – that we may act from a place of loving kindness, even when the heart is injured.

The Buddha urged us to let go of our anger, to liberate ourselves from the bindings of suffering. “Abandon these thoughts and live in love,” he shared, “In this world, hatred never ceases by hatred, but by love alone is healed.”

Though fear and pain are natural human emotions, when we experience their energy – it feels oddly foreign; as if ‘separate’ from the self we know to be true. In extreme cases, it may cause a physical aversion. Our bodies may tighten under the presence of a ‘new truth’ ~ though, what happened next is entirely our choosing.

It’s the proverbial ‘second arrow’, the lingering and dwelling inside that which has passed. Perhaps, it’s the mind’s way of reconciling such an egregious injury?

Or, maybe it’s simple the soul’s way of ‘crying’?

We all have this little one within ~ one who may scamper away at the first wincing of pain. In which case, we must stand ready to gather them within our arms – to offer that which is needed most of all.

If our response to another’s pain may be that of open-hearted compassion – why then, can’t we feel the same love for ‘self’?

A little something to consider, my loves.

In peace…

Namaste ❤️

About

Tara Lemieux is a mindful wanderer, and faithful stargazer. Although she often appears to be listening with great care, rest assured she is most certainly‘forever lost in thought. She is an ardent explorer and lover of finding things previously undiscovered or at the very least mostly not-uncovered.

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