Is it possible to regain innocence?

Question

Once lost, is it possible to regain innocence? If not, what can be done about it. I feel so cynical sad and alone because of it

Answer 1

this is a good question and the best question on YA all day.  i wish i could regain my innocence but i don't think its possible.  I think its possible to regain faith, and i hope someday i will.

Answer 2

If you accept the fact that there is duality in a person then its not so bad.   We carry the chains of our past memories....not god or the universe...contrary to what traditional religions teach us. The past is gone forever...tomorrow never comes. In advance state of consciousness you have to be innocence in order to be there. In order to be a true psychic ..you have to be as innocent as a 6 year child..unless you become like children ...you will not see the kingdom of god (the kingdom of others souls/spirit)

Answer 3

To a degree, but not entirely.  Its like sopping up some spilt milk, you can get most of it, but its really hard to get it all.  (no sense crying over it, most is good enough)

P.S. - Hmm, it is about forgiveness (and compassion).  Don't forget to forgive yourself as well as others.

Answer 4

I think once we've entered this world, our innocence is gone.

Answer 5

You can, but you're not going to like it..

There are only 2 kinds of innocence: child-like innocence, and mentally-handicapped innocence.

Once you lose child-like innocence, that is gone for good.

But if you get in a motorcyle accident, or somebody clubs you with a baseball bat, or any number of ways, you get brain damage. And believe me, those people are innocent. Just look at the man in the movie "Cube" and "Cube 3". He was really jaded, and after the "accident" he was completely innocent.

Answer 6

It depends what you mean by innocence.  People often take the word to mean a state of not being aware of a certain reality of life, but I think it goes far beyond that--it is a state of being free from participating in that reality.  The reality of life I refer to is the true reality of evil on this planet.  A child growing up finds that everyone in his world, even the people that he loves and is dependent upon, have been ensnared by evil.  And being so ensnared, they try to coerce the child into joining them in that evil.  (I know that's pretty strong, but I really believe it.)  The main mechanism by which that reality is manifested is through a split in the two sides or aspects of the mind; the human mind has become divided against itself.  And so the innocence you long for is a state of wholeness or unity of mind (also unity of mind and body, because one side of the mind is the connection to the body), and the consequent freedom from the participation in evil.  The mind of a child is whole; it is not divided against itself, and it is that, and not the lack of awareness per se of the reality of evil, that is the essence of that wonderful quality of childlike-ness that is so loveable.  

Incidentally, I don't mean to suggest that children don't know what evil is.  Clearly they do, otherwise they wouldn't be able to understand fairy tales, which are all about good and evil, so very well.  

Answer 7

What kind of innocence? Sexual innocence? In any case, just try to shelter yourself in a safe lifestyle for a while. Do things that make you feel like a kid again. Don't be afraid to "grow down" if you feel like you've grown up too much. In time, you will feel better.  

Answer 8

Nope, not a chance.  Once it's gone- it's gone>>>!

Answer 9

Probably the only way to roll back experience would be if somebody suffered from some form of amnesia/dementia, don't think this would be a good solution though.

The next best thing I've found, is to remain 'young at heart'.

Doesn't matter what you're experiences are..It's definitely worth hanging on to that childlike sense of fun, curiousity & wonder.

Don't let the world become jaded. There will always be something brand new, worth discovering just around the next corner.

Answer 10

Hmm. Naivete is not synonymous with innocence. To quote the Don Henley lyric, I think it is about forgiveness. Do not speak with your circle of the issue, as many will not let you forget, will draw you into conflict. Read the desiderata poem daily. Eat right by avoiding processed foods, microwave foods, high fructose corn syrup, sugar substitutes, iodized salt, rBST dairy, margarine and fats. Get enough sleep.

It will pass, and you may regain your spirit very soon. peace.

Answer 11

That's a good question.

We live through innocence at childhood without even knowing it.

So can we regain innocence after knowing it?

After Adam and Eve ate the apple and lost their innocence, can they regain their innocence?

It is probably impossible to get back the original innocence but it is probably possible to regain a fresh appreciation for it. From here then, it is the will to live within the framework and beauty of innocence and to rediscover that abundant bliss exists in non-judgmental simplicity, hope and joy.

We can all learn so much from children. They remind us of who we once were.

Answer 12

i think not,  innocence is just ignorance i think. people cut you a lot of slack as a kid becuase they know, you really know very little. people make mistakes and become someone who isnt perfect.

   probably better just to roll with who you are, do you want people to treat you like your inocent your whole life?? your going to miss out on life itself

Answer 13

It is not possible to regain something you never had, nor to regain something you never lost.

Answer 14

I'm not quite sure of the innocence to which you refer, Poppet.

So it would be unethical of me to try and advise.

Though if you happen to be referring to the Innocence of a lost Youth, You will never regain that.

You just have to make the most of what you have and hope for the very best.

Answer 15

yes, in a sense.

it depends..

for while you can't change the past,

it's all in the mind (perhaps that has more an association with naiive though..?)..

and you can change that.

what is this idea of innocence?

a state of mind?

a state of being?

surely, you can return and regain..

Answer 16

That is what this poem is about:

Now that every drop of rain has been sucked up by the dirt

And you've wounded every part of me that could be hurt

It could be worse, I mutter into the silence of my self,

Counting all my blessings- riches?beauty?health?

Not these three things nor others which the human mind can grasp

But countless little lessons emerging from the past

Between days tormented and nights i lie awake

Were countless little miracles with everything at stake

and all i need remember is all that i have learned

When i feel disillusioned in memory i return

To times when many rainstorms came to nourish desert sands

And I could hold the universe in my little hand...

(c) 2004 S.L.Nichols

Answer 17

Yes, I think you can.

Learn to forgive yourself, and others. Forgive each other! Love each other! Have empathy for others! Many times no one else knows our real situation, so we should be generous to one another. Don't be so critical of others. How much do we know about others? We, indeed, do not know the reasons for what they are doing.

When we stop criticizing others what will we gain? We will regain our innocence. Our natural innocence will return. We will be able to live our lives as pure, innocent and happy children. I think this is what is meant by the saying from the Bible that children can easily get to heaven. We can have heaven here, if only we know how to live our lives.