The Inner Child vs. The Original Self

This world and what happens here are only part of your life. 

As a child, you possessed a magical awareness that significantly shaped your perception of the world. During this time, you unknowingly formed beliefs that still linger beneath the surface of your consciousness.

Recall yourself as an eight-year-old empath, a unique individual often considered both gifted and peculiar by those around you. Regardless of whether you directly faced traumatic events, you experienced a profound sense of trauma, as societal norms often clashed with your extraordinary abilities.

Becoming aware of your distinct way of processing reality, you've started to recognize the incredible powers within you. Society, sensing your uniqueness, subjected you to various challenges, pushing you to the outskirts of the tribe. This societal exclusion, even if not overtly confronted, left lasting impressions on your psyche. Every empath, even those from caring families, experienced a form of childhood trauma due to their exceptional sensitivities.

At the age of eight, lacking real-world experience, perspective, or knowledge, you couldn't articulate the complexities of your reality. People who didn't fully grasp your consciousness urged you to conceal your true nature beneath socially acceptable behaviors. Despite this pressure, you witnessed and even caused magical occurrences, understanding the divine connection flowing through all living things. The realization that others remained oblivious to this astonished you, prompting thoughts on how to protect yourself.

As you navigated this heightened and complex world, you lacked guidance, leaving you to rely on your inherent powers and imagination to develop defense and coping mechanism to navigate the heightened and complex world you perceived. 

You did not record only negative experiences as a child 

As an empath, you held extraordinary powers that went beyond the ordinary. For me, one young memory stands out vividly. 

My sister fell seriously ill with the flu. Our mother wasn't around to help, much less offer comfort. My sister desperately needed care. I instinctively wrapped my arms around her, fully aware that I would likely catch the flu, but I didn't care. I had an unwavering belief in my ability to heal both my sister and myself.

Empaths, like you and me, possess an innate strength and a deep well of healing energy. We've been there for our loved ones, even healing our parents when they needed it most. It's a profound connection, a force that emanates from within us and makes us fantastically strong.

Some of us are fortunate to have a sanctuary in our lives. For me, it was my grandparents, not biological but playing the same role. When I was with them, I didn't feel drained. They provided a safe space where I could recharge. Perhaps you were lucky enough to find such a haven, or maybe you're still seeking that safe space.

The ability to care for something beyond ourselves is at the core of the empathic force. It's a maternal instinct that transcends gender, the essence of creation itself. Every empath possesses this instinct, and it's what sustains the human race. It's the force that binds us together, the ability to recognize that something else matters, and in that recognition, we find the strength to continue, to heal, and to nurture not only ourselves but the world around us.

Without it, the human race would not continue.

Switch from “Inner Child” to “Original Self”

Rather than think about the “inner child” who is still causing you to respond to the world in a childish way, try using a term from Zen Buddhism: the Original Self.

The Original Self and the inner child are two faces on the same jewel. The Original Self existed before you were born, and it will continue to exist after you leave this world. It is shocked by what it finds here on Earth, and since empaths are so in touch with their divine nature, they are extremely aware of its sense of disorientation. Empaths see the world through the eyes of the Original Self, and seek a higher meaning, because they know that the world exists in a vast cosmic context and they are driven to make sense of it

Accepting the Original Self

Embracing one's true self is the key to healing a wounded soul. It's a journey of self-acceptance, understanding who we are, and why we became that way. Only then can the process of mending truly begin, allowing what seemed 'killed' within us to come back to life.

Often, much of our time is spent in the recesses of our minds, desperately trying to appease the lingering voices from our past, especially those that inflicted trauma. This interconnection between our present and past can lead us to believe that we are inherently broken or that all the hardships we endured were somehow deserved.

The path to healing lies in recognizing that adversity is a shared human experience. By understanding that our survival instincts are universal, we can acknowledge our intrinsic value. Each of us plays a vital role in the ongoing creation of our individual narratives and, collectively, the creation of "whatever comes next."

At the core of this healing journey is trust. Trust in our actions, feelings, and the ongoing process of learning and evolving. It's about acknowledging that our way of being is not only valid but also essential for our growth and well-being.

Trusting the universe and testing its limits are intertwined. It's not a cop-out; rather, it's a recognition that we cannot pass judgment on the universe. By embracing this perspective, we free ourselves from the constraints of judgment and open the door to a journey of self-discovery, growth, and ultimately, a more profound connection with the universe.

Photo by Almos Bechtold on Unsplash