Cultivating Authenticity
Do you ever worry about not fitting in and then try hard to fit in only to discover that it doesn’t feel that great after all?
Today on the podcast I’m talking about authenticity. About how we want to be authentic but find ourselves caught in pretense. And, about how mindfulness can guide us to our authentic selves.
We all want to be seen and we are very good at not showing who we really are because we’re afraid that if we do, others will reject us or find us not pleasing. Rather, we whittle ourselves into some shape or size that’s inauthentic in the hopes that we’ll be seen and accepted.
Who we think we are goes through filters. Our own filters and the filters of those around us. These filters distort and obscure. We obscure who we are with pretense, exaggeration, the need-to-please, story-telling to create image, judgment to justify, shame and other kinds of conditioning.
We get lost in conditioned behaviors or beliefs that we have learned. It’s a paradox. We want to be seen. We want to be authentic. And yet, we habitually act in ways that hide who we really are.
Attempting to be who we truly are, we may try to push away inauthentic behaviors and beliefs. This is futile. Pushing away what we want to change only makes it stronger. So, how do we change? We change by befriending our inauthenticities by recognizing what is here, allowing, investigating, noting and finally being compassionate with ourselves. This allows them to unwind and let go. Only then can we cultivate our authentic selves.
And, before diving head first into investigation but first it is important to cultivate a mind that is focused and concentrated, steady and balanced. Practicing mindful meditation of the breath, or of sounds, or of some other object will cultivate these qualities of mind. Only then will your investigation will be fruitful.
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As always, I am grateful to you, my audience, and I am also grateful for the people behind the scenes who make this podcast possible.
Allie Allen for logo and podcast cover design;
Gorgias Romero for composing the original music, audio engineering and production;
Bill Rafferty for technical web support; and
Margaret Haas for announcing the show.
Be well. Be mindful.
RESOURCES/CREDITS:
Dr Rangan Chattergee, Feel better, Live More podcast, Jay Shetty on How to Think Like a Monk and Train Your Mind for Peace and Purpose (Re-Release) https://drchatterjee.com/jay-shetty-on-how-to-think-like-a-monk-and-train-your-mind-for-peace-and-purpose-re-release/, Accessed on June 26, 2022.
Walt Whitman, "Song of Myself" from Leaves of Grass (: Norton, 1973). From https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/45477/song-of-myself-1892-version, Accessed June 25, 2022.
DISCLAIMER:
The content in the podcast and on this webpage is for educational purposes only. It is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical or health advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice and guidance of your health professional.
