Strength in Innocence: Navigating the Resources and Challenges of The Innocent Archetype Within

Allan Johnson, PhD
5 min readJan 27, 2024
Photo by Matthew Henry on Unsplash

In all of us there lies an inherent innocence — trust in the process, faith in the goodness of others, and a genuine curiosity that drives us forward. This innocence is the foundation for growth and learning, but it is also the beginning of a transformative journey full of challenges and revelations. This part of ourselves taps into an archetype known as The Innocent, which presents challenges but also offers deep wisdom to us as we explore what innocence means within us and within the complexities of our lives.

The Innocent archetype is characterised by a fundamental trust in life and in others, and fosters a sense of belonging to a larger community. It embodies qualities such as purity, simplicity, and optimism, and guides the individual towards a hopeful perspective and a genuine love of learning. At the core of the Innocent archetype lies a deep trust — in oneself, in others and in the inherent goodness of life. This trust serves as a source of strength and resilience and enables individuals to face challenges with a sense of optimism and hope. It fosters a belief in the potential for growth and transformation, even in the face of adversity.

However, this unwavering trust can also lead to a sense of naivety and vulnerability. The Innocent can be overly…

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Allan Johnson, PhD

Integrative Coach | Mindfulness Teacher | Academic | Books with Palgrave and Bloomsbury