Inner Child Meditation
The Inner Child is a concept in psychology that represents both unresolved childhood experiences, feelings and memories, as well as the expressive free-spirited part of you that existed before you were socially conditioned to fit into the world.
Inner Child Work can be a powerful practice for healing and self-awareness. It involves connecting with the younger version of yourself—the inner child—and nurturing them with love, compassion, and understanding. Here are some signs that you might benefit from inner child meditation:
Emotional Triggers: If you find yourself getting triggered by certain situations or people, especially in ways that seem disproportionate to the present moment, it could be related to unresolved childhood experiences. An Inner child meditation can help you explore these triggers and heal the underlying wounds.
Recurring Patterns: Do you notice patterns in your relationships, behavior, or thought processes that keep repeating? These patterns often stem from early experiences and beliefs formed during childhood. Inner child work can help break these cycles.
Self-Criticism and Self-Sabotage: If you struggle with self-criticism, feelings of unworthiness, or self-sabotaging behaviors, your inner child may be seeking validation and healing. Connecting with your inner child can foster self-compassion and self-acceptance.
Unresolved Trauma: Childhood trauma, whether big or small, can leave lasting imprints. Inner child meditation provides a safe space to process these traumatic memories. This meditation is not a substitute for work done with a trauma-informed therapist; I would recommend doing inner child work during a therapy session until you feel grounded enough to do on your own.
Lack of Self-Love: If you struggle with self-love or struggle to prioritize your own needs, inner child work can help you reconnect with the part of you that deserves love and care.
Difficulty Expressing Emotions: Sometimes, our inner child carries unexpressed emotions. Inner child meditation allows you to listen to and hear those unexpressed emotions be it pain and sadness, or unabashed joy. Sometimes our Inner Child is wounded and has pain to express, and sometimes our Inner Child tells us to lighten up, play and have more fun!
Curiosity: If you love to learn and explore, why not see what your inner child has to teach you. Let your curiosity guide you to make this connection with this sacred part of yourself!
I’ve recorded a 15-minute guided meditation based on the work I’ve done with clients in sessions throughout my career. To get started, carve out 20 minutes of uninterrupted time, get comfortable - either sitting upright or laying down - plug in your headphones, and begin listening to the recording below.