“Some writers confuse authenticity, which they ought always to aim at, with originality, which they should never bother about.” ~ W.H. Auden
Authentic ~ a state of being genuine, one’s true nature.
How easy it sounds, ‘to be authentic’, and how hard it can be to achieve, right? There are moments when we act as a result of our conditioning, and moments that we stand firm in our most authentic state. Distinguishing between the two is not always an easy task.
Being authentic requires tremendous self-awareness. It’s about recognizing and accepting where we are, and knowing that what we are experiencing is purposeful for the process of growth. Life is a story being told, and each one of us is constantly developing and revealing our characters within the tale. Our characters interact in the world around us daily to re-create a story of the human condition. These stories are the very same stories that have been told for centuries. They are mythological, archetypal patterns.
If you’ve ever read a work of fiction and identified with the experience being shared, you understand the power of myth. Identifying your personal story within mythology and resonating with an archetypal role makes us observers of our own experience. Understanding the roles we play within a story brings us perspective. When we see a tale unfold into positive outcome, we remember that the force of our being is inherently authentic — in every moment – and we needn’t seek it’s company. It’s always there. By honoring the story (the context of our lives and situations we face daily) and accepting the nature of our ever-changing characters (as mothers, sisters, neighbors, or friends), we reveal our willingness to detach from previous images of self and maintain the ability to begin anew. This is the practice of authenticity.
All stories are myths – especially those we create in our minds, such as dreams, fantasies and visions. Be aware of the current myth – the story – you’re telling yourself about your relationships, your work, your sense of worth… and then take a moment to ask yourself why. If you were a character in a book, how might this character move itself through the experience? Without attaching to an idea or an image, become curious and creative about how your story will unfold. Know that once an idea is born ~ very little doing will be involved. Like the image of the Three Graces from Greek Mythology (depicted above), when we stand in a state of authenticity, and surrender fully to natural outcomes, our characters will develop with ease.
My shelves hold many translated copies of Lao Tzu’s Tao Te Ching, and I return again and again in my studies to its verses. Translated literally as “the classic way of virtue”, these philosophical teachings are simple and thoughtful, yet full of meaning. Each version I read brings new light and insight to life and our experience. For me, the Tao Te Ching contains truths I’ll contemplate for many moons to come, and the moments I set aside for reflection never fail to reveal deeper meaning. I encourage you to pick up a copy.
Inspiration
Inspiration
