Man is originally characterized by his "search for meaning" rather than his "search for himself." The more he forgets himself—giving himself to a cause or another person—the more human he is. And the more he is immersed and absorbed in something or someone other than himself the more he really becomes himself.
Viktor Frankl, "Man's Search For Meaning"
Dare I say that our "real" selves, our spirits, are childlike. Childlike in terms of obedience, in terms of trust, in terms of humility, in terms of pride. Not in terms of knowledge, learning, or wisdom.
We know that King Benjamin in The Book of Mormon tells us that we need become "as a child". We need to be more like our spiritual selves. Again, not in terms of maturity.
My point here is, as Dr. Frankl says, the more we are immersed in something else (the Gospel) or someone else (Jesus Christ), the more really become ourselves, our true selves. The more we become as a child; "submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him" or her. - Mosiah 3:19
To be more like a child, we need to immerse ourselves in Christ and His Gospel.