Children naturally possess a joyous wonder for life, experiencing it with celebration and delight. However, as they grow, they encounter the complexities of existence, similar to the story of the Garden of Eden where innocence is lost. This transition from childhood leads to a state of informed separateness, where the unity and bliss of early years are overshadowed by the realities of life.

For some, there is an opportunity for transformation later in life, allowing them to rediscover a sense of wholeness with a deeper understanding. This journey can be likened to moving from a state of unconscious perfection through conscious imperfection, and ultimately finding a new form of conscious perfection, as highlighted in the proverb mentioned. Johnson’s memoir illustrates this profound progression of human experience.