Innocence

Our innocence is always with us, even when it seems far away or nonexistent. It is here patiently waiting for us to see it and return to a relationship with it.

Our bodies help us immensely in this process of returning to our innocence because our body sensations give us clear feedback about the disconnection from such a precious part of us. We may feel sad, heavy, confused, resentful, angry. All of these emotions show us that there is something deeper going on inside that involves our innocence. In those moments we are stuck in time, believing historical beliefs that are not ultimately true.

Instinctively we may try to hide our innocence because we have memories of feeling innocent and getting hurt. We recall moments when people took advantage of this part of us. We try to protect it now. We become sensitively aware of innocence in other people, in children, in animals, but we have trouble recognizing our own innocence and trusting that we can bring it safely into the world.

We actually need our innocence now. It contains precious energy we need for our lives to feel whole and wholesome. It is a doorway to our creativity, our joy, our light-heartedness, our courage, our freedom.

Many powerful teachings exist to guide us back to our innocence. The Zen teacher Adyashanti talks about our complete innocence. Almaas (Hameed Ali), who founded the Diamond Heart training, refers to our indestructible innocence.

Notice whatever teaching resonates with you. I encourage you to allow moments of your innocence to exist in the safest situations you can find. Slowly we begin to experience our innocence as a natural part of us that is not in relationship to any person, place or thing — now or in the past or future. No matter what external circumstances bring to our lives, our innocence can operate independently, with freedom and clarity. Life indeed becomes as fresh as new-fallen snow.