Innocence

When we see a baby it makes us smile. If we’re asked, “Why does a baby affect us this way?”, we might come up with a few reasons. Infants don’t judge us, they don’t wear masks, they don’t worry about what we may think of them, and….. they’re pretty damn cute. But here’s the real magic of babies, they are innocent. It seems so obvious, why even say it. I mention it because even though we value this attribute in a baby, we rarely do so in an adult. As an adult we are valued by our looks, our social status, our skill set, our income, our education, our intelligence, and so on. These qualities are all built on an unconscious measurement system that we’ve created as a people. They reflect a value system that is not grounded in light consciousness. As far as compliments go, I have yet to hear, “You know what I love about him? He really embodies innocence!”.

So what is innocence, and why does it matter? Webster’s dictionary describes it as, “free from guilt or blame, without knowledge”. It strikes me as odd that we would identify anything as a lack of something else. Innocence lives as a pure frequency without requiring the identifying counterpart of blame or guilt. It is both an energy and a state of being. Innocence is like a soup made from freedom, grace, simplicity, and purity. It allows life in because it is grounded in trust. I see innocence as the pure realization of God connection, the state of being or energetic reality borne of pure intent. Another way to say it is, innocence is the expression of divinity’s love for itself. That pure intent I mentioned should not be underestimated. It requires a connection to God that many of us have been working on very diligently to attain. Babies have been with God more recently, so innocence is no big deal for them (they are more challenged with not having a leaky diaper!). Innocence in an adult can look like naiveté, foolishness. This is partly due to the fact that an innocent being chooses to see the good in a person or situation. This is not because they are a delusional altruist, but because when you are working from a place of innocence, all of life is an exciting discovery! What many deem as naïve, actually comes from a very ascended aspect of awareness. This is the awareness that God is in all, so they are curious as to where the God is in you?

An important part of innocence is its’ relationship with the heart energy. In short, they are deeply intertwined. To live in this heightened state, our hearts must be open to life and other people. We must be comfortable and courageous enough to give and receive freely from our hearts. The heart is also the source of compassion, so innocence is intimately linked to compassion as well.

Many times, we can find reflections of innocence in wonder. In fact, wonder is fueled by innocence. Wonder doesn’t require hard research or scientific method. It is linked to the imagination, expanding in a free flowing play. It is not directed by impulses of self-judgement or imposed limitations that keep our perceptions and ideas in a box.

The world we live in has forgotten the power of innocence and replaced it with knowledge. When we can spout knowledge, we feel we matter, that we are powerful. Don’t misunderstand me, knowledge is powerful. But knowledge is only valuable to the point that it serves our (everyone involved) growth in some way. Too often we rely on ego-driven information to bolster ourselves through some mask of authority, a vie for power and control. We spill information with the intent to impress rather than inform. We will often use knowledge to create a hierarchy within a group of people, and then believe in that ranking.

Knowledge needs the ally of innocence to keep it humble. Judgement, self-righteousness, perfectionism, arrogance, these all derive from ego-based knowledge, and they all deter innocence. It can often be challenging to see how knowledge and innocence can occupy the same belief or truth. If you’ve ever sat with a true master you’ve witnessed this balance. A master offers knowledge without the expectation or obligation of what you should do with it. There is no agenda attached to the information, thus making easier and cleaner to digest and claim as our truth, should it feel so.

Innocence isn’t concerned with how it is received, it just is. It’s detachment from any form of agenda reflects the purity of its’ origin, Source. In order for a being to be in a state of innocence, they must be open to others and life. In this way, they are able to receive the divinity of those around them and the beauty of the moment they are in. This is a state of grace. In the baby example, things are slightly different as they’ve no negative imprinting shaping them yet (we hope). For an adult, things are obviously more complex. We wrestle internally with an ego that is often desperate for attention and recognition.

We can, however, chart a path getting back to innocence. First, we must make the conscious decision to be open and available to life. We must see the value of an open heart beyond the social cliché it is too often associated with it. Next, try not to take yourself too seriously. You are flawed and a bit ridiculous like the rest of us, no better or worse, so relax and give yourself a break. Thirdly, develop an approach to life that practices listening, witnessing, and humility. Personally, I think nature is a great way to cultivate these things. I enjoy sitting in my yard watching the birds conduct their morning rituals. Then feel your feelings. Breathe in and out with fullness and ease so that what you feel can be grounded in your reality. Next, harbor the courage, the will, and the desire to learn from the world around you. It’s really ok that you don’t know everything, no one does. Finally, find a way to show gratitude for the beauty you experience. This includes respect, honor, humility, grace, and mostly the awareness that innocence not only matters, it is power.

So what do you get out of innocence? What’s the payoff? When we can ground this energy in our realities, it creates so much ease in our relationships. It is a pillow of energy, a lovely place to land. It is a relief for anyone to feel free of judgement, self-righteousness, agendas, and control. As such, it fosters trust. Trust that we can express without being rebuked, or worse. Trust that I must matter to you because you listen to me with earnestness. Trust that you can simply be yourself. Trust that we can be free together. Ultimately, innocence is simply a gift to those you are with, and yourself. This is its’ secret power; Innocence brings God into the moment via trust, wonder, and purity. Take some time and let yourself reconnect with your own innocence with the following exercise:

Conjure up a memory when innocence was alive in you. Perhaps when you discovered something, were amazed or awed. Or, think of a baby or person who you felt the quality of innocence in. As you locate and resonate with it, ask it to expand within you filling all the places where judgement and self-righteousness have occupied. Let innocence saturate your cells until all of your physical and non-physical bodies can access that form of love. Thank and bless innocence, all who assist you, and yourself.

Remember that everyday has the potential to teach you something. Will you be awake when it happens? If you miss it, that’s ok. We are all on this crazy ride together, so try walking and talking with some innocence. I trust you’ll have a richer journey.