i asked: what gives someone a child-like quality?
and liz responded:
Openness, playfulness, being energised
Exploring for the sake of it, not with any particular outcome in mind
Being fully absorbed (think of those frowns of concentration)
Being aware and alive to the possibilities
Trust- feeling looked after, knowing things will somehow work out
Determination-dogged repetition in pursuit of mastery
Being able to express yourself fully (include anger and frustration)
Spontaneous gestures of giving and receiving love
Learning how to share and take turns –and playing games that practise it
Conversely, learning to be independent “I can do it myself”
Seeing every day as a new adventure
Anticipation “Are we nearly there yet?”
Impatience “I want to go NOW” “Shopping AGAIN?”
Being completely unselfconsciousAnd, of course, being easily amazed
those of you that are easily amazed… anything to add to this beautiful list?
another quote from Chamalu: The Shamanic Way of the Heart by Luis Espinoza
Are purity and innocnence possible in a society as corrupt as today’s?” asked Ajlla.
The innocence we proclaim has nothing in common with stupidity,” I affirmed. “Purity is one fo the characteristices of the Wanderer, his refuge and his strength. When we speak of purity, it includes the sense of ubiquity. That lucidity makes loving attitudes possible, inspired by the hightest sentiments.
To be indigenous, to be wild in this new Pachacuti,” i continued,” means to be children again. When we are again childlike, we aren’t interested in diplomas or applause, in a ppearances or in gratitude, but only in a life full of action, because everything then becomes a sacred play.
The children of the Earth recognize innocence as their natural condition.That’s why the do not fear caresses, no are they frightened of spontaneity. They are humble and gentle. They don’t seem to know much, but you feel in their innate clarity that wisdom is part of the natural conditins, as heat is to the Sun. Purity gurantees total action. Your actions then become circular, and the opinion of othes is no more important than the leaves blown by the autumn wind.
Be yourself…Liberate your freedom. Allow your spontaneity to manifest itself throughout your body. Contemplate life with eyes of purity; then, wherever you look, you will see beauty.