Children of the New Earth March 2007

The Spirit of Play ignites our soul's natural essence, giving passionate expression to our creative energy and uniqueness. It increases the laughter in our day, opens the door to a renewed sense of curiosity and teaches us the benefits of seeing the wonder, magic and joy in all things. As we move into grown up life we often lose touch with our Spirit of Play, yet these are the years when we could use it the most!

The Spirit of Play lives within our Inner Child. Each of us has an Inner Child regardless of our human age. He or she resides in the core of our belly, from where all belly laughs and deep emotions originate. When our Inner Child feels healthy, heard and healed, it can do its job properly. The belly is like a furnace filled with Inner Child qualities including Joy, Innocence, Purity, Wonder, Curiosity and Fun.

The furnace sends vital fuel up through the body, keeping the inner flame that is our true essence burning brightly. One of the greatest sources of our fuel and inspiration is the Spirit of Play. Our Spirit of Play is the contagious ringleader of all the other qualities encouraging them to follow his sense of carefree adventure. Our true essence depends on the Spirit of Play in order to flourish to its fullest potential.

However, we have been trained to have busy, productive lives. Someone told us that in order to be successful adults we needed to be serious. Play was considered self-indulgent and silly. As we grow up whenever Play tries to come up out of the furnace, the mind barks the order to squash it back down saying “We don’t have time to play right now. Grow up.” The mind knows that once Play is let loose all sorts of other Inner Child qualities will come out, sending his meticulously organized and ordered system into chaos.

To try and control the mischievous Spirit of Play, the mind decided to impose certain rules on it. It could only come up in our ‘free time’ if all our work was done. Also, it could never enter our work or relationship spaces, not if we wanted to attract stability and security into our lives. The Spirit of Play felt more and more quashed and unloved, and slowly started to withdraw its presence thinking it would only get in the way.

One day the mind noticed that there was trouble at the main flame. It was getting dimmer, and seemed to burn with less enthusiasm and joy. The mind was concerned because if the flame died it wasn’t very good news for anyone! The mind sent out some of its top researchers to discover why the flame wasn’t happy. The researchers came back with one voice “The flame needs the Spirit of Play. Without it, it will soon fade away.”

The mind was in turmoil. Should it allow the Spirit of Play to enter the sacred realm of the flame? What would become of life if Play moved in with logic and rationality? The Spirit of Play knew no bounds and would be bouncing and skipping all over the place with its new ideas and dreams, and crazy imagination. The mind sent some messengers down to the flame, and also sent some negotiators into the belly for an urgent meeting with the Inner Child. Could they find a way to work together? 

The Spirit of Play said if the mind could be used in a positive and constructive way, rather than acting all controlling and restrictive, then a deal could be struck. Progress would still be made, the Spirit of Play would spread its sense of wonder and fresh perspectives throughout the body while the Mind would ensure goals continued to get met, and the flame would be happy. All agreed and started the new deal straight away. 

If such a deal has been made in your body you will know. Playtime is a regular part of your day, and the Spirit of Play can be found in all parts of your life, even the most ‘serious’ ones. If such a deal is yet to be made then make haste. Magic and a happier, brighter flame are waiting for you! 

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