The Awareness of Childhood

Posted on January 14, 2008
Filed Under Awareness, Consciousness |

Memories of feelings from Childhood I have a number of memories that go back to a pretty young age in my childhood, around 18months to 2 years. But more than that, I have recently re-discovered that I have many recollections of ‘feelings’ from childhood. These may well go back to an even younger age. Children tend to associate with the world more in terms of feelings, so it would make sense that we can recall ‘feelings’ more so than physical memories.

There are a few specific things which I can remember now - that I wonder if other people experienced. I remember my awareness being shrouded in a ‘fog’. Whilst I was conscious of my environment and my body, I was somehow disassociated from them. It seems now as I look back, that it took some time before my conscious awareness found equilibrium with the awareness of my body and my surroundings.

When I watch my daughter, or her cousins, it certainly seems that there is something to this memory. For example with older babies, you can clearly see that their awareness is still very much developing. They are aware of their surroundings but only in a somewhat ‘limited’ fashion. Just as their body is still new to them; they are wearing it like loose fitting clothes trying to get a feel for it, yet still not entirely at one with it.

It’s odd to suddenly recall that sensation; I remember it feeling as though consciousness itself was overwhelming. And thus I found great value in any object of person upon which I could latch my attention. They became a focal point in that sea of conscious awareness.

So now, here I am many decades from that time - wondering how many other people have these sorts of recollections? And if not this, then maybe something quite similar? It certainly would be nice to know…