Embracing Childhood: The Path to Happiness and Enthusiasm
Have you ever felt envious of children, their unbridled happiness, and endless energy? If you are old enough, perhaps you associate with grandchildren or have had the privilege of befriending young children. Observing them can deeply inspire a longing to recapture that essence of joy and excitement in life.
Spending Time with Children: A Blessing in Disguise
Spend time with children to reconnect with your inner child. Put aside your ego and the idea that you know everything. Children often say, "I don't know," fostering a sense of curiosity and wonder. This is a stark contrast to the "I know" mentality that can stifle our capacity for joy and learning.
How to Embrace Childlike Curiosity and Wonder
Consider this: are you really the ‘self’ whose knowledge you boast about? Dive deep into meditation, practicing twice a day for 20 minutes in the morning and evening. As you experience truth, you may begin to realize that the concept of 'self' is an illusion. How can you say 'I know' if the self does not truly exist?
Be Like a Child: Simplicity and Playfulness
Observe a child like my son, Atharva, who creates fantastical stories and brings joy through simple acts of imagination. Children are naturally simple, finding happiness in the simplest of actions. They don't limit themselves with boundaries and constraints, embracing spontaneity and innocence.
As an adult, try to simplify your life and return to a play attitude. Here's a simple exercise: take a few minutes every day to write down the things you are grateful for. Focus on the present moment and let go of your ego. This will help you find joy and enthusiasm in life, much like a child.
What Does Embracing Childhood Mean for Adulthood?
Unfortunately, crossing the bridge from childhood to adulthood often means leaving behind the carefree and joyful spirit that marked your youth. We might lose touch with the spontaneity and innocence of childhood, but it doesn't mean we can't reclaim these qualities. Remember, even if you can't go back to a literal state of childhood, you can certainly recapture the essence of a child's joy.
For instance, when I was about five years old, all I wanted was a tricycle. My mother couldn't afford it, but my best girlfriend had one. I would ask her to let me ride it, and she would say yes. I was overjoyed. This memory encapsulates the pure, unbridled happiness that you can still experience by embracing the childlike attitude.
By becoming childlike again, you can experience spontaneity, innocence, and a massive energy that comes from an unencumbered state of mind. You can become one with everyone and everything, seeing the world through a playful and excited lens.
Embrace the simplicity and positivity that characterizes a child's world. Nibbana, the state of enlightenment and happiness, can be achieved by letting go of ego and boundaries and adopting a play attitude. This path to happiness is a liberating journey that can enrich your life in countless ways.