The Secret Spiritual World of Children: The Breakthrough Discovery That Profoundly Alters Our Conventional View of Children's Mystical Experiences

I read this book a few of years ago, before my son was even walking. Looking back on it, I realize that I've incorporated many if the author's suggestions in working with my son, and I think that has helped him feel comfortable in talking to me about his experiences. He told me I was going to have a baby before I even knew I was pregnant; this prompted me to take a pregnancy test. He told me the baby was a girl when I was about two months pregnant. And, later, when I was very pregnant (about 8 mos or so), he told me that he was playing with his sister in his bedroom at night. He also tried to get me to 'see' her, by pointing out what he called 'balloons with light in them' that would appear in the bedroom. He said this light was Sofia and her friends. Later, a nurse at the Dr's office told me that she often hears about children his age (3 at the time) predicting pregnancies, etc. It's just amazing that when you're aware, you can see children's spirituality unfolding naturally before your eyes. This awareness helps parents to nurture and acknowledge this spirituality, which in turn, I believe creates a well-balanced child.

One of my favorite childhood dreams, a recurrent one that I had when I was around seven or eight, is that I am conducting a symphony orchestra. That would be a special experience in itself. What makes this dream more interesting is that I am making up the music, note by note, as we go. Almost like the wand that Mickey Mouse borrows from the Sorcerer, as I wave my baton, the music comes into being. In the dream, that is a thrilling experience. What is even more interesting is that in the dream I am noticing that the orchestra seems to know what notes to play even though there are no notes until I wave them into being at that very moment. In the dream I am puzzling over how the orchestra can play the notes at the very instant that I create them. Years later I can see in this dream many of the themes I've meditated upon in trying to come to a better understanding of a spiritual path that is natural to me, one that involves allowing improvisation to connect with a transpersonal source of creativity. While my adult self can both appreciate and understand the dream, my childhood self experienced the wonder and awe of the dream, but did not have any understanding of its meaning or source. Not all children, however, display the same lack the understanding of such experiences, according to Tobin Hart in his book The secret spiritual world of children (Inner Ocean Publishing). He shares many stories of children seeming wise beyond their years, children who experience cosmic consciousness and understand its significance and use the experience to guide them throughout their lives. The idea that children are close to God certainly comes through loud and clear in Hart's stories. The children in his book have mystical experiences, visits by angels and other beings, they spontaneously offer healing words or touch to other children and adults, and they have psychic experiences of many varieties. An account of these experiences comprises only the first half of the book. He devotes the second half of his book to providing guidance to parents. There he skillfully weaves together insights for both parent and child as they attempt to respond to such experiences. Spirituality is a mixed blessing, for while it may open the child to the secrets of the universe, such knowledge can also be a burden on the child. Adults face similar challenges and the parents may find their own spiritual issues mirrored in the struggles of the child. A vision of one's mission in life may also create pressure to succeed. Being given extraordinary insights, visits from angels, and other non-ordinary encounters may make the child feel "special" and disinclined to make the mortal efforts in life required of the rest of us. Awareness of invisible worlds that no one else can see can make a person, child or adult, feel alienated from others. Balancing heaven and earth is difficult, regardless of a person's age. Psychic experiences offer their own special challenges and they are quite similar for

Once in a while an exceptional book comes along and you want to scream at the top of your lungs, "Hey, world, read this book - it will forever change the way your children are treated." Oh, if only I could make such a scream be heard. "The Secret Spiritual World of Children" covers everything, not just dreams and visions, angels and fairies. It covers life, that pulsebeat within us that propels action, growth, societies and cultures - our history as humans on this very big world called Earth. Whatever you need to help you understand your children, speak with them, encourage them, help them - even practical and easy exercises and suggestions - all of this is lovingly tucked into this gem of a book. But Hart doesn't stop there. He goes on to speak to the child in all of us; and as he does, you will recognize yourself and your own childhood unveiled in a new way. I cannot recommend this book highly enough. P. M. H. Atwater, L.H.D., author of "The New Children and Near-Death Experiences" and "We Live Forever: The Real Truth about Dying."

As Joseph Chilton Pearce wrote in the foreword, this book is "extraordinary and magnificent"! Dr. Hart sets the tone of the entire work with the closing statement of his introduction: "This book is offered as a prayer to help us nourish the spirit within our children and within ourselves." His skillful interweaving of the stories of spiritual leaders with the mystical experiences of children is not only masterful but also heartwarming. The compassion and love for the children he interviews is palpable, and engaging. Challenging concepts are explored in a way that is relevant, and his insights provide practical solutions for parents and educators. The questions supplied for enhanced communication offer a practical format to foster the growth of children's' sense of independence by enhancing their innate ability for self-reflection. By discussing impressions and inviting clarification, adults can gain valuable insights while encouraging meaningful dialogue that leads to healthy relationships and continuous discovery. An enjoyable and useful read for anyone who has or works with children.

This is a landmark book into a subject that has not been addressed sufficiently by mainstream psychology. Dr. Hart is an academic psychologist who has done an excellent job of researching and gathering a range of spiritual experiences that have occurred in the lives of ordinary children. It's very readable and the accounts are fascinating as well as remarkable in what they tell us about children and human potential. Anyone interested in psychology and spirituality should read this book.