Book excerpt: The child is the father of the man. -- Wordsworth The inner child, that vital but submerged part of the self thatconnects us to both the joy and sadness of our childhood, is a key to ourachieving fullest expression as adults. "This child entity," says our editorJeremiah Abrams, "is the self we truly are and have always been, livingwithin us in the here and now." This volume, a collection of 37 wide-ranging articles, defines andgives concrete reality to the abstract image of the inner child, revealing it tobe the unifying symbol of the self, a symbol that represents, accourding toCarl Jung, "the part of the human personality which wants to develop andbecome whole." The essays from depth psychology, literature, the 12-Step Programperspective, and other disciplines are woven together with Abrams'thoughtful commentary to address the compelling themes the inner chldbrings to our awareness. Many of the selections address very practicalobjectives. - Realizing the promise of the child within and living out its destiny. - Reclaiming the innocence, playfulness, and wonder of the child inadulthood. - Healing the abandoned or abused inner child and resolving oldtraumas. - Tapping the child as symbol for our creative energy. - Forgiving our parents. - Developing compassionate awareness to be a better parent. - Completing the deverse unfinished business of childhood.