Jesus is reported to have said something like, "Lest you become as little children you shall not enter the kingdom of heaven." Remembering that He also said, "Rejoice, for the kingdom is at hand," we want to understand that He is speaking of attaining the consciousness of heaven and living in that consciousness here in this world.

Now obviously He is not talking about behaving like the kid at the supermarket who is screaming and kicking in the checkout line because he wants mom to buy him a candy bar. He is also not talking about acting like cousin so-and-so when he tore off the head of your favorite Barbie and threatened to dispose of it in some dastardly manner. And He is certainly not talking about playground bullies or any of the other behaviors that no parent wants to think their little angels would exhibit.

What He is talking about is the innocence and openness that young children have not yet been educated out of. The innocence and openness that allows a child to believe in Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny and the Tooth Fairy also allows them the ability to see the world with fresh eyes unsullied by the jaded attitudes that we all, to one degree or another, fall prey to. The young child can still hope without doubt, see the good without looking for the catch and offer love without strings attached.

The child in the quote may not remain in this state of grace for very long. Alas, the world seems to wish to crush it at the first opportunity. We can all remember some of our own disillusionments which seemed to have forever taken away the possibility of experiencing the world with such wonder.

But Jesus is telling us that we must choose to regain this grace in the face of the alleged realities of the world -- and in that state we may find our true Selves and the kingdom of heaven again.

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