Rediscovering the Inner Landscape
How might revisiting the silent landscapes of your childhood help you heal and rediscover yourself today?
This entry is part of a series on “The Hero’s Journey from Trauma to Freedom”: Prologue: The Intentional Invitation. 1. Overcoming Past Patterns. 2. Meeting the Catalyst. 3. Crossing into the Unknown. 4. Rediscovering the Inner Landscape…
Growing up as an only child taught me early on how to be alone. Those quiet hours turned into a deep dive into my own thoughts and fantasies. I had no brothers or sisters, so I made up invisible friends to fill the silence. Before the internet or mobile phones, my choices were simple: read, play outside, or daydream.
Fast forward through two busy decades of college, career climbs, and relentless travel, I found myself turning to meditation. Those childhood skills at navigating my inner world weren't lost; they just needed dusting off. Meditation calmed me, cleared the clutter in my head. It wasn't just about sitting still; it was rediscovering my inner landscape.
I began journaling my dreams, interpreting them through Jung’s eyes, and meeting the various characters living inside my mind. Techniques like Internal Family Systems (IFS) helped me connect with parts of myself I had ignored. It was like meeting old friends again, those made-up playmates and inner guardians from my youth, and more significant new archetypes from adulthood, now showing up to help me reparent myself.1
This shift wasn't sudden but a quiet transformation, a return to my roots in a way. It turns out, spending those early years alone had prepared me for a journey inward, a journey that continues to teach me every day.
Embarking on this journey isn't about digging up the past just to revisit old wounds. It's about shining a light on the paths we've walked, acknowledging the resilience and strength that have brought us here. It’s through practices like journaling, meditating, and repeating affirmations that we build a sanctuary inside ourselves—a place where our deepest selves can heal, express, and flourish.
As we dive deeper, here are some thoughts to help you deepen your own inner journey:
Reflecting on Younger Days: When you think back to your childhood, what scenes, feelings, or memories come to mind? Let them surface without rushing to judge them. Approach these memories with curiosity and compassion. Sometimes, I look at an old photo of myself at age six, and it's like stepping through a time portal. I remember who my friends were, my favorite games, and how I felt back then. In a quiet moment of meditation, I start a conversation with that younger me, exploring those memories and offering the kindness that was needed then.
Offering Comfort: How can you wrap those memories and feelings in a blanket of kindness? Imagine comforting your younger self, showing deep empathy and understanding. Writing a letter to that younger you can be a powerful way to connect. What would you tell them about your life now? What questions would you ask? This exercise doesn’t just strengthen your bond with your past self; it leaves a tangible record of your inner journey, making your reflections more concrete.
Healing Old Wounds: Reflect on what was missing or unresolved in your childhood. How can you give yourself the care and attention today that wasn’t available back then? It's possible that revisiting these moments might bring up painful memories. Can you be the adult now who offers what was needed then—safety, comfort, clear boundaries, and perhaps firmness?
By approaching our own stories with empathy and understanding, we unlock incredible potential for healing and empowerment. This process isn’t just about revisiting the past; it’s about moving forward into a future filled with hope and a richer, more profound connection with ourselves.
As we become more attuned to our inner selves, we start to see more clearly. It’s like we’ve been handed the map to a hidden treasure — or an alchemical process to discover the holy grail. What we find can transform us, revealing unimagined strengths and insights. This is the magic of our inner work—a real-life quest for the treasure we hold within.
I invite you to join me on a journey of exploration into the world within. Through conscious guidance and advisement, we'll navigate the paths of your inner landscape together, seeking understanding and growth. Connect with me, and let’s discover the profound depths of your experiences and emotions.
Our journey continues here:
Rediscovering the Inner Landscape
How might revisiting the silent landscapes of your childhood help you heal and rediscover yourself today?
Apr 12, 2024
This entry is part of a series on “The Hero’s Journey from Trauma to Freedom”: Prologue: The Intentional Invitation. 1. Overcoming Past Patterns. 2. Meeting the Catalyst. 3. Crossing into the Unknown. 4. Rediscovering the Inner Landscape…
Growing up as an only child taught me early on how to be alone. Those quiet hours turned into a deep dive into my own thoughts and fantasies. I had no brothers or sisters, so I made up invisible friends to fill the silence. Before the internet or mobile phones, my choices were simple: read, play outside, or daydream.
Fast forward through two busy decades of college, career climbs, and relentless travel, I found myself turning to meditation. Those childhood skills at navigating my inner world weren't lost; they just needed dusting off. Meditation calmed me, cleared the clutter in my head. It wasn't just about sitting still; it was rediscovering my inner landscape.
I began journaling my dreams, interpreting them through Jung’s eyes, and meeting the various characters living inside my mind. Techniques like Internal Family Systems (IFS) helped me connect with parts of myself I had ignored. It was like meeting old friends again, those made-up playmates and inner guardians from my youth, and more significant new archetypes from adulthood, now showing up to help me reparent myself.1
This shift wasn't sudden but a quiet transformation, a return to my roots in a way. It turns out, spending those early years alone had prepared me for a journey inward, a journey that continues to teach me every day.
Embarking on this journey isn't about digging up the past just to revisit old wounds. It's about shining a light on the paths we've walked, acknowledging the resilience and strength that have brought us here. It’s through practices like journaling, meditating, and repeating affirmations that we build a sanctuary inside ourselves—a place where our deepest selves can heal, express, and flourish.
As we dive deeper, here are some thoughts to help you deepen your own inner journey:
Reflecting on Younger Days: When you think back to your childhood, what scenes, feelings, or memories come to mind? Let them surface without rushing to judge them. Approach these memories with curiosity and compassion. Sometimes, I look at an old photo of myself at age six, and it's like stepping through a time portal. I remember who my friends were, my favorite games, and how I felt back then. In a quiet moment of meditation, I start a conversation with that younger me, exploring those memories and offering the kindness that was needed then.
Offering Comfort: How can you wrap those memories and feelings in a blanket of kindness? Imagine comforting your younger self, showing deep empathy and understanding. Writing a letter to that younger you can be a powerful way to connect. What would you tell them about your life now? What questions would you ask? This exercise doesn’t just strengthen your bond with your past self; it leaves a tangible record of your inner journey, making your reflections more concrete.
Healing Old Wounds: Reflect on what was missing or unresolved in your childhood. How can you give yourself the care and attention today that wasn’t available back then? It's possible that revisiting these moments might bring up painful memories. Can you be the adult now who offers what was needed then—safety, comfort, clear boundaries, and perhaps firmness?
By approaching our own stories with empathy and understanding, we unlock incredible potential for healing and empowerment. This process isn’t just about revisiting the past; it’s about moving forward into a future filled with hope and a richer, more profound connection with ourselves.
As we become more attuned to our inner selves, we start to see more clearly. It’s like we’ve been handed the map to a hidden treasure — or an alchemical process to discover the holy grail. What we find can transform us, revealing unimagined strengths and insights. This is the magic of our inner work—a real-life quest for the treasure we hold within.
I invite you to join me on a journey of exploration into the world within. Through conscious guidance and advisement, we'll navigate the paths of your inner landscape together, seeking understanding and growth. Connect with me, and let’s discover the profound depths of your experiences and emotions.
Our journey continues here:
My journey into these rich inner worlds began long before I knew about magical realism or read Gabriel Garcia Marquez. It started in those quiet moments of childhood when I first learned to navigate my inner landscape, creating a realm of magic and mystery that was uniquely mine.
Alex, you've helped me realize the importance of nurturing my inner child. Until now, I hadn't given much thought to the time I spent alone as a child; it often felt like I was the only child, despite having a brother who's 8 years older. He never took the time to get to know me.
Playing alone and imagining different worlds and situations brought me comfort. Time seemed endless, and I never ran out of fantasies. However, I never thought to reflect on revisiting my younger self and talking to it in a compassionate way, reassuring it that everything would turn out okay. Looking back, I can't help but feel guilty and unwanted.
I now realize that both of my parents worked hard to provide for us, and I truly respect their efforts. I made a promise to myself to give my children all the things my parents could not give me, like dancing lessons, music lessons, swimming lessons, and more. I also made sure they had tutors for subjects I was weak in. Watching them grow and being there for their milestones has been my greatest achievement as a parent.
Meditation has helped lift my broken spirits, alleviating nightmares, anxieties, panic attacks, and hyper-vigilance. It has cleared the clutter in my mind, making room for magic to unfold and recharging me for the day. It's like recreating a new world when my mind is at peace. When I was a child, I didn't have toys, so I would create images with sticks, rocks, or leaves and old pots, pretending to cook. I'd also pretend to be a doctor performing surgery on lizards. I didn't do this too often because I felt bad for the animals and stopped when I was around seven or eight years old.
Healing from trauma has been a long road of ups and downs, but I've learned to be grateful for the hardships; they shaped who I am today. Now, I find myself happier with the life I've created and continue to create. I've forgiven those who hurt me and see the sacrifices made to reach this point. I’m also grateful for having the friendship and support from our group which is my new family. Thank you! ❤️