What can this mean: “Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.” (Jesus) All that I have experienced, learned, overcome, since childhood does not count for anything?
Well, this state of thought tends to engender a defensive mechanism which makes it difficult to accept anything new and could explain the old adage, “You cannot teach an old dog new tricks.”
The kingdom of heaven is surely a great departure from our day-to-day existence, something profoundly new. Are we prepared for such a thing if we are entrenched in the past and unwilling to change?
I find the following excerpt most instructive:
“Willingness to become as a little child and to leave the old for the new, renders thought receptive of the advanced idea. Gladness to leave the false landmarks and joy to see them disappear, — this disposition helps to precipitate the ultimate harmony. The purification of sense and self is a proof of progress. ‘Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.’” (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, Mary Baker Eddy)