Reconciliation: Healing the Inner Child

In deep therapy for traumatic losses between age 3 and 5 I had not identified, I found this book and bought it outright. I have long admired Thich Nhat Hanh, so devoured this book as I simultaneously worked with a therapist. The book is invaluable!!!! I recommend the book with my whole heart---especially if you are also seeing a therapist specializing in grieving/trauma/cbt. Remember, YOU are doing all the work; the book (the voice and message of Thich Nhat Hanh) serves as companion guide. It's not really a "self-help" book, but a guide and companion as you dig deeply into who you are at your source, explore the woundedness caused by wounded parents...and begin to open to, and take steps toward, healing. Sometimes what he says is not as straightforward or clear until you put it into practice or meditate on it a few days. Meditating through this book has been comforting, disturbing (as in pushing me to think differently which helps me feel differently), challenging, encouraging, and hopeful that healing will continue as I move forward in my life choices and relationships.

I always figured, people don't change. They say they will, and they might really want to, but in the end, we all go back to our habits.This book helped me change.If you already have a meditation practice, it's easier to integrate inner child work.Along with Sarah Peyton's Resonant Self, Thich Nhat Hanh has helped me transform my inner monologue. It's mind-blowing what life is like when your inner voice is a constant stream of motherly coos.By the way, once you do this, once you start being present with and attuned to yourself in this way, you essentially replace your therapist.Also great: Kathryn Woodward Thomson's Calling in the One.These 3 books I keep re-reading. Healing work is repetitious work.Consider too: Bessel Van der Kolk.

I can't say enough about Thich Nhat Hanh's book. This book is potentially helpful for anyone who has struggled as a child with inter-generational adversity (family dysfunction) and is seeking healing. Hanh's voice is always loving, understanding, non-judgmental and wise. He encourages you to listen tenderly to the voice of your innocent, sweet, vulnerable, precious and hurt inner child. Now you are the big sister/brother to this child. You can hold the pain, you can comfort, you can lean in and embrace your inner child. For me, this journey was transformative and very healing. Highly recommended!

I found this book to be both comforting and illuminating as I worked through some past issues that continued to surface and impact my wellbeing. Just reading a single chapter at a time, making notes as I read, consistently served to open up memories and a flood of thoughts and insights without prompting. Amazingly helpful in cleaning out buried past pain and its memories, clarifying the truth from mixed messages previously accepted and moving forward with a sense of renewal.

I always enjoy reading Thich Nhat Hanh. It always puts me at ease. Each chapter is a collection of written works all on healing the inner child but disconnect in a way. The end has several chapters written by others on their experiences. Overall a nice reminder on meditation and mindfulness.

I think I got this book on the right time and place if I were read it in my twenties I would have been disappointed or bored but in my today’s age I learned a ton from it enjoyed it and try to use it on my daily living. It doesn’t mean if you are young it doesn’t help you maybe you are more mature than me but if it bores you just put it aside and go back to it later in your life and you will see the magic

Thich Nhat Hanh's books are not "read and be cured" books. They are "practice and heal yourself" books. I've been reading and listening to his teachings for years and this book especially has some very nice exercises in it following the first section, which could be useful for any conflict you are having, parental or otherwise. The trick is that you actually have to do them.. And do them consistently, so that you can help train yourself to feel compassion instead of offense, tension, or pain. I am still learning, but on the days I practice his recommendations, they are a wonderful help in navigating difficult interactions with family so that I can avoid escalating conflict. If you enjoy this one, definitely pick up his "Art of Communicating."

Thich Nhat Hahn teaches love and compassion as a natural state of being with the clarity and humility of a true spiritual teacher. The Zen wisdom he shares is compelling due to it's strength in simplicity yet it demands devotion and departure from the traditionel western perspective of ego worshipping and consumerism which is challenging for a civilisation bred with fear and selv criticism as a driving force. Reading this book can be liberating and I hope to be able to absorb the wisdom by practicing patience and love towards myself and my inner child. I hope others may benefit from such practice as well.Highly recommended.