Recently I flew to Las Vegas to conduct a seminar. As the airplane approached its final destination the pilot announced apologetically that there would be a “slight” delay before setting down because high desert winds had forced the airport to close all but one runway.

He said we would be circling the city for “a few minutes,” waiting our turn to land, and we should remain in our seats with our seat belts securely fastened, because there may be “a few” bumps. Well, that few minutes turned into about 45 minutes, including a ride that would make the roller coaster at Six Flags Magic Mountain pale by comparison.

The movement was so violently intense that several passengers actually became sick. As you might guess, that’s not generally a good thing to happen in close quarters because it only serves to intensify the discomfort of the situation.

About 20 minutes into the adventure the entire airplane became very quiet—there was a sense of anxiety and fear that was now palpable while every passenger simply held on for dear life—except one. An infant being held in his mother’s arms was having a ball! With each dip and bounce of the airplane he would let out a loud giggle of delight.

As I observed this phenomenon I thought to myself, what is it he knows that I don’t? Then I got it: It wasn’t what he knew; it was what he didn’t know. He didn’t know he was supposed to be afraid and concerned for his safety; he didn’t know that the odor that reeked throughout the plane was foul. Those were the labels we adults had introduced.

At that moment I remembered the passage in the scriptures, “Except ye become as little children.”

Wow, I thought, now I get it: the mind of this child only knows how to be in the moment at hand. His mind is not wrapped around the past nor projected even five minutes into the future—he is enjoying the ride now because he has not yet been taught to fear it.

From that child I became aware that the majority of our fears are learned. With that awareness I took a deep breath and settled back in my seat, imagining I really was on a roller coaster, and I smiled for the rest of the flight.

As a matter of fact, I even managed to giggle once or twice, much to the chagrin of the guy sitting next to me holding the barf bag.

How about you? What awareness can you gain from the pure innocence of a child today? The Kingdom of God, which is that place within us wherein pure peace and unconditional love dwells, can never be entered through the adult mind because that mind is generally so dominated by fear and a need to control even that which it has no control over, it can’t find its way to the door.

This is why the great teacher admonished us to become as little children. Note, he didn’t say be childish, but rather, child-like. Take a look at your life and see if maybe it’s time for that child within to come out and play.

When he or she does, you’ll discover that heaven really is at hand … and you’ll enjoy the ride a lot more.

I encourage you to take special time today to observe young children. It could be at a park while they are at play or even in a store while shopping with their parents.

Notice the level of spontaneity, joy and honesty that flows through those children. Notice they never hold back in the fullness of their expression of life in the moment. Ask yourself: How can I let this child be my master teacher today? Be still, listen, and you will know. May this be the day that your child within is truly born again.

Dennis Merritt Jones is the spiritual director for OneSpirit Center for Conscious Living in Simi Valley. His website is www.OneSpirit.org.