On being authentic
Have you ever wondered why it is really comfortable being around some people, yet others make you want to run a mile? I’ve been pondering on that one a lot recently. This isn’t about social or personal issues, like halitosis or being outspoken or aggressive (or saccharine), this is more about those subtle feelings you can get in the pit of your stomach that suggest you like or dislike being in the company of someone.
Just lately I’ve been in the company of some truly authentic folk who have really helped me clarify what this issue means to me, and why. It feels good having a clearer understanding.
People who are great to be around are those who are at ease with themselves and comfortable speaking their truth. They are secure in their own skin and have nothing to prove, no axe to grind and no message they need to ram home at any cost. These people can be rich or poor, any skin colour, age, race or gender as such considerations are pretty much irrelevant to their authenticity. Theirs is a truth that transcends such mortal considerations, it is a truth found from going within and getting to know themselves as eternal beings connected to source energy.
We are all the same, we are all expressions of source having a human experience (or being an animal or a tree or some other living thing). Everything emanates from source, is fundamentally of spirit and will return whence it came. And none of this has anything to do with religion, which IMHO is little more than a cynical manipulation of information to keep the masses uninformed and in fear. We have nothing to fear. We are spiritual beings and processes like meditation, movement and finding grace and inner peace all serve to help us reach our own authentic state. Even if all we do is remind ourselves to breathe and focus on the breath as a regular daily practice, it will have an impact on our state, on our wellbeing.
So what stops us speaking our truth? What holds us back from speaking from our hearts, and instead has us speaking what we believe others want to hear? Why do we hide behind suppositions, half-truths and pretence? Because we are afraid. We fear ridicule, rejection, failure and everything that comes with being an outcast or being labelled as inappropriate. In the past, grim punishments were meted out to those who dared to be different and it is my view that some of the fear from those dark times still resides in our group consciousness. We still harbour deep concerns that if our truth is revealed, the walls of our existence will come tumbling down.
So I’m trying an experiment…
If I find myself being afraid or fearful, I will bring myself into the present by noticing what is around me a simply breathing. Encouraging my awareness of what is so, right here, right now, and really feeling my breath will serve as a reminder that I am alive – and all is well.
These small steps towards being present may take me closer to living as an authentic being – and speaking “my” truth. I’m so grateful that I’m free to express my thoughts and speak from my heart.
May your day be filled with everything you seek.
