consciouSynthesis

Authentic Self is a term that at first glance seems to suggest an objective identity of the individual which s/he must “find”. That’s the idea you get when you hear any mention of authentic identity. It comes out as an “objective you” that you must “find” or discover and then live from that standpoint. 

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I used to think of authenticity in much the same way. But if that is the case, the possibility that we are all in error as to who we have become is 100%. Just imagine the possibility of you “finding” that perfect identity which is an objective perfect standalone self; that perfect path in life. 

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The good news is that there is nothing objective about your authentic self. Your authentic self is your creation or at least it is your choice. 

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But again, and very importantly it is not just any creation; not just any choice!

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That seems contradictory to my earlier statement; it is not. Follow closely. 

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The two aspects that satisfy an authentic identity as I see it are as follows:

• Uncensored expression
• Congruent expression

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Authenticity connotes free expression, BUT an unrestricted expression which is congruent. Those are the two sides of authenticity that have much to do with a life of internal harmony both mind and heart. There is no peace without uncensored but congruent expression. The other side of this statement is just as true: there is no peace with uncensored but incongruent self.

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Every authentic expression works within self established value systems or a lack of them. Whichever the case we must be congruent with. That is precisely where the subjectivity of an authentic identity lies. 

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And at every stage, we can make adjustments to the “free expression” side or the “value system” side but what will determine how authentic that change of identity is will be the internal harmony with which such change manifest in our lives. 

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The important thing to recognize at every stage is that neither our value system nor our desire for “free expression” is intrinsically perfect in so far as achieving that “balance” we all want is conerned. Therefore, everytime we should be guided by that eventual inner sense of calm and peace when choosing the life we will lead. 

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 If we have that, we have everything; without that, we have nothing even when we possess all the gold and silver in the earth. But life is so constructed that we will not have to be reminded that there is something wrong (illusion or real)… we will know it at the centre of our being. When we are not centered, we know it every time. If we don’t know it, it’s because we are in fact congruent with what we are at the moment.   

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When it comes to living an authentic life there is one poem that drives the point home every time I think about it. It’s a poem by Dale Wimbrow, 1895-1954 entitled, The Guy in the Glass. 

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I ask that you live your life from the standpoint of your authentic self. But I must admit, that can mean anything; it means different things to different people. When you are in doubt, go look in the eyes of the guy in the glass.

Photo Credit: carf